Culturally Relevant Teaching and Learning

The Institute has established several graduate-level courses aimed at exposing and providing culturally relevant strategies to teachers. These graduate-level courses are created as professional development workshops for teachers and include follow-up programming for participating teachers. The Institute has received two grants from the Maryland Higher Education Commission's (MHEC) College Prep Intervention Program (CPIP) in support of the statewide Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for undergraduate programs (GEAR UP) grant. For the grant received for 2007-2008, the Institute offered mathematics and science teachers at Central High School [in Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) two free university courses on culturally relevant pedagogy, support from two mathematics workshop facilitators, and, in select mathematics classrooms, teaching assistants. Another CPIP grant has been awarded to the Institute for the 2008-2009 school year to offer a similar course at Fairmont Heights High School in PGCPS.

In addition, the Institute has administered similar culturally relevant courses to elementary teachers in Prince George's County Public Schools and Anne Arundel Middle School in Anne Arundel County, as well as paraeducators in PGCPS amd Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). By exposing teachers to culturally relevant strategies, the Institute expects to increase the quality of instruction to minority students producing academic gains.

MIMAUE is available to provide these workshops to teachers and school districts. If you are interested in partnering to introduce this program within your school district/school, please contact us for more information.

Improving Teacher Quality (ITQ) Grant for Paraeducators in PGCPS and MCPS

The Institute has received a grant in collaboration with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC).

This grant will support two graduate level courses offered through the University of Maryland that will serve as professional development for paraeducators in MCPS and PGCPS.

The first course in the series is a two credit course focused on culturally relevant teaching. From this course, paraeducators will learn strategies and methods to engage a more diverse student body.

The second course in the series is a four credit course focused on mathematics teaching strategies. Participants will learn strategies to teach mathematics more effectively.

Since graduate level courses that are being offered, paraeducators who are interested in participating need to first apply and be admitted to the University of Maryland as a Special Advanced Student. Click here for the application packet that includes instructions and information on requirements.

Click here for additional information for PGCPS paraeducators

Click here for additional information for MCPS paraeducators

For more information about this program please contact Raquel Gonzalez, the project coordinator, at 304.405.6264 or RGonzale@umd.edu.