Media Release

For Immediate Release

April 16, 2005

High School Teachers Head Back to Class

A unique cooperative venture will solve some difficult problems for high school teachers and students here in Nova Scotia.

For some years, the demand for high school teachers specializing in mathematics has exceeded the supply, at a time when Nova Scotia’s need for a workforce with strong mathematical skills is greater than ever before. Now, teachers who trained in other subjects will have an opportunity to add a formal grounding in mathematics education, at the university level, to their skills.

Saint Mary's University and Cape Breton University have officially entered into an agreement to offer the Certificate in the Mathematical Sciences for Education Program to a cohort of teachers in Cape Breton.

Saint Mary's, fulfilling its mission of community outreach as outlined in the University's Academic Plan, began offering this program to high school teachers in the province in 2003 in conjunction with the Nova Scotia Department of Education, which, through careful review, have underscored the need to attract, retain and train more math teachers in the province.

This unique program is now being offered to about two dozen high school teachers from the Cape Breton -Victoria School Board. Over the next two-and-a-half years, high school teachers from this provincial district will head back to class on a part-time basis to learn new trends in teaching mathematics and of course discover innovative mathematical concepts. This will give them an extra edge in teaching the province's challenging math curriculum to the new generation of students. The certificate program, which is approved by the provincial government for license upgrading, consists of ten half-credit courses in mathematics and related subjects.

"By allowing high school teachers to update and improve their skills, we will ensure that students in our province get the best math education," says Dr. Terry Murphy, Vice-President (Academic and Research) at Saint Mary's.

"Inspirational, well-motivated and knowledgeable teachers can bring subjects alive for their pupils, helping to increase the take-up of courses in mathematics," he adds.

The Nova Scotia Minister of Education, Jamie Muir, applauds the efforts of the Certificate in the Mathematical Sciences for Education Program.

"I am pleased to see Saint Mary's University and Cape Breton University respond so creatively to the need for more math teachers in our public schools. It's a great example of education partners working together to help meet a need in our public education system," says Mr. Muir.

"Math is such an exciting and dynamic subject, and I am thrilled that we are going to be able to provide our teachers with up-to-date training that will directly benefit our students."

Dr. Anthony Secco, Vice-President (Academic) at Cape Breton University, indicates this new certificate program builds on CBU’s ongoing commitment to teacher education.

“For more than 25 years, our university has provided teachers with timely and innovative professional development programming," says Dr. Secco.

"It's the right time and the right fit for all of us," notes Dr. Secco.

"This exciting offering signifies the continuation of our successful partnership with the province, schools, teachers, the community and, of course, universities. Most importantly, we are working together to enable students’ minds.”

Dr. Douglass Grant, Chair, Physical and Applied Sciences at Cape Breton University indicates that the quality of education in mathematics in Nova Scotia is a matter of intense interest to the institution. The School of Education, Health and Wellness looks forward to working with the School of Science and Technology in providing courses which will assist Math teachers in Cape Breton.

The first course in the new program will begin on Friday, April 15th, at Cape Breton University.

Cape Breton University is an Atlantic Canadian post-secondary education leader, with a growing national and international focus. A dynamic and young university, Cape Breton University focuses on quality academic and research excellence, student services, a vibrant campus life and technology tools to support undergraduate and graduate education. Cape Breton University is known for the best of applied learning. www.capebretonu.ca

Saint Mary's University is known for its community outreach projects, both in Canada and around the world. Saint Mary's, founded in 1802, is home to one of Canada's leading business schools, a Science Faculty widely known for its cutting-edge research, a comprehensive and innovative Arts Faculty and a new Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.

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For More Information:

Paul Fitzgerald
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: paul.fitzgerald@smu.ca
www.smu.ca