This January the University of Maine at Farmington will begin the Graduate Certificate in Math Leadership at University College at Rockland. This is a 4 course series that prepares educators for the challenges of being a math leader, math coach, math interventionist, Title I math teacher or grade level math team leader.

The first course in the series is EDU 529, Mathematics Leadership in K - 12 Settings: Understanding and Implementing Maine's State Standards.  The key content focus is mathematics curriculum & assessment – specifically drawn from Maine’s State Standards for mathematics, the use of tactile and electronic technology, and the design for lessons, units and curriculum documentation. Throughout each content strand there will be a focus on the strategies to create, adopt and execute professional development for teachers of mathematics.

Instructors Robert Jenkins and Margaret Griswold will teach in a "blended" format meaning there will be 3 face-to-face meetings on Saturdays, January 28, March 25 and May 6 from 9AM til 3PM.  The rest of the instruction will be fully online. Jenkins and Griswold bring experience that spans over 25 years. They share a philosophy in student-centered instruction, proficiency based education, and common core standards.

The second opportunity is in the area of School Administration. EDU 552, Supervision and Evaluation of School Personnel, provides an overview of supervisory practice in public schools. It draws upon effective schools, effective teaching, teacher and adult development, and supervisory practice literature as a foundation for direct assistance to teachers and general supervisory work. The course includes Maine State Law regarding hiring and dismissal practices, just cause, contract issues, dismissal, non-renewal, progressive discipline, and complaint investigation. This course will also be taught in the blended format with face-to-face meetings on January 28, March 25 and April 29 from 9:30 - 3PM. The instructor is Sandra MacArthur an experienced teacher and district administrator. She is also the former Executive Director of the Maine Superintendent's Association.

Information and links to registration are available at: http://www2.umf.maine.edu/gradstudies/courses/spring17/#552. More information is also available by calling University College at Rockland at 596-6906. Register is now open and ongoing.