By Meghan Leadabrand, MTEP 2.0 project co-manager, and Huntsville Regional Mathematics Teacher Education Partnership team members
We are excited to welcome the newest team to the MTEP network, the Huntsville Region Mathematics Teacher Education Partnership (HSV-MTEP) networked improvement community (NIC). HSV-MTEP is a partnership of The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), Alabama A&M University, Oakwood University and its partners engaged in preparing mathematics teachers for the Pre-K-12 classroom in the Huntsville, Alabama region.
By Fall 2027, HSV-MTEP aims to increase membership, with a goal of increasing by 25 members from a diverse pool of roles and backgrounds interested in improving mathematics instruction. The team will focus on building a collective understanding of research-based mathematics instruction that bridges K-12 practice, teacher preparation and community partnerships.
"Our primary motivation was moving from individual effort to collective strength," said team lead Sarah Dyess (UAH associate professor of curriculum and instructor). For Dyess, HSV-MTEP also meets an outcome of her NSF Noyce grant work focused on building institutional partnerships.
Additionally, the partnership is especially vital for programs looking to navigate evolving state requirements, such as the Alabama Numeracy Act. The collaboration allows institutions to pool resources and expertise to meet these new challenges.
"We joined this team for the support; we value the collaboration that is mutually beneficial to our universities," said Shushannah Smith, professor and chairperson of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Oakwood University. As a mathematician entering the mathematics education space, Smith noted that the team provides a vital bridge.
"I have a sincere desire to learn, support, and uplift, and this partnership helps us meet these new criteria together," said Smith.
Brea Ratliff, assistant professor of mathematics education at Alabama A&M University, brings a unique perspective to the team, having first experienced the network’s impact as a graduate student at Auburn University.
"I remember being energized by those early experiences," Ratliff shared. "It was powerful to see mathematics educators across institutions working together in ways that built momentum and pushed meaningful change. Every convening was about taking ideas and turning them into action and growth for everyone involved."
Those experiences stayed with her as she transitioned into her first year as a faculty member, prompting her to seek out a similar community in Northern Alabama.
"I sought out collaboration with other mathematics teacher educators in my region who have been doing this work through MTEP for years,” said Ratliff. “I’m especially excited that we’ve now launched HSV-MTEP, creating the space to expand that collaboration and strengthen support across the Huntsville area. It feels like the kind of work that can continue to move things forward."
Additional team members include Johanna Massey (associate professor and chairperson, Alabama A&M Department of Education and Leadership) and Courtney Golden (assistant professor and chairperson, Oakwood University Department of Education).
Note
HSV-MTEP was funded by National Science Foundation Division of Undergraduate Education grants #2141737, #2141730 and #2344959. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.