The iSMART (Integration of Science, Mathematics, and Reflecting Teaching) program has been chosen to join 100Kin10. This is a selective organization that “unites the nation's top academic institutions, nonprofits, foundations, companies, and government agencies to train and retain 100,000 excellent STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) teachers to educate the next generation of innovators and problem solvers” (100kin10 website).

The 100Kin10 organization will provide iSMART with access to a network of partner organizations that are working towards the same goal. “We are excited about the prospect of collaborating with other dedicated and passionate organizations who are also examining STEM teacher preparation models that focus on equitable instruction in urban preK-8 classrooms,” said Department of Curriculum & Instruction (CUIN) assistant professor, Sissy Wong. “Collaborating with other 100Kin10 organizations will provide opportunities for us to learn from other innovative partners so that we can apply the most successful parts of iSMART to create highly-effective teacher preparation programs for preK-8 science and mathematics teachers.”

Being in the 100Kin10 network means that iSMART’s model of fostering practicing middle school science and mathematics teachers’ development of pedagogical content knowledge and  equitable instruction has been acknowledged as work that is ambitious, innovative and valuable. It also signifies that iSMART is one of two hundred “best-in-class partner organizations” that is working towards the shared goal to prepare, support and retain 100,000 excellent STEM teachers by 2021.

Commitments to this shared goal require iSMART to transform their successful master’s program to the teacher preparation level in two ways. First, iSMART will prepare five cohorts of middle school mathematics or science teachers to develop sophisticated content knowledge, as well as capacity to implement equitable instruction and culturally-responsive teaching, in surrounding urban highly-diverse schools. Second, iSMART will collaborate with local school districts, such as Houston Independent School District (HISD), to prepare and support five cohorts of elementary teachers to develop the same critical knowledge and best practices to effectively teach science and mathematics in local highly-diverse urban schools.

Wong will attend the Unconference in New York City hosted by 100Kin10 on March 10^th, 2016. The conference is designed to immerse those in the conversations with other best-in-class partners in the field. “I’m looking forward to learning more about how iSMART can contribute to the goals of 100Kin10, and learn from other organizations that are working towards the same goal of preparing and supporting excellent STEM teachers,” she said.

“We are excited that iSMART has been selected to join 100Kin10,” said CUIN chair and iSMART principal investigator, Jennifer Chauvot.  “This recognition shows that our program is academically strong and committed to preparing middle school mathematics or science teachers to teach and lead effectively in the 21^st century.”

iSMART’s leadership today brings the 100Kin10 network one step closer to reaching an ambitious mission: to ensure that every classroom in our nation has a world-class STEM teacher, and that those amazing STEM teachers have the tools and support to succeed. “We are honored and overjoyed to have you [iSMART] as a partner in this work and in the 100Kin10 community,” said Talia Milgrom-Elcott, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Team 100Kin10. “iSMART was accepted because of the strength and significance of your commitment, your organizational capacity and leadership, and your ability and desire to contribute to the 100Kin10 goal and network.”