FOCUS ON: Math Blending

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Sacramento State is helping to meet the need for more teachers through a program combining education and mathematics.
 
(Narrator:) This is “Focus” from the campus of Sacramento State.

(Jim Finnerty reporting:) With a growing demand for technical skills in math and science, this “Mathematics Blended” program at Sacramento State is focused on providing teachers for elementary and high school classes.

(Deidre Sessoms, Sacramento State College of Education:) “A couple of years ago, a study was done that showed if we got every math major to become a teacher, there still wouldn’t be enough. So, obviously we’ve got to increase the numbers.”

(Finnerty:) The cooperative program between the College of Education and the Department of Mathematics delivers teaching skills while speeding up access to a full teaching credential.

(Angela Stassi, Sacramento State student:) “It is actually very helpful because it has given me more skills to be able to learn what to do in the classroom and different techniques that I can use as a teacher.”

(Edward Shea, Sacramento State Department of Mathematics:) “It’s especially good for people who are early deciders. They want to be a teacher, so as soon as they can have exposure to education the better. And, that’s kind of our clientele.”

(Finnerty:) Math major Casey Behney found the program gave him classroom skills he drew upon as a student teacher.

(Casey Behney, Sacramento State graduate student,) “Because the learning environment is so comfortable, it makes me feel comfortable, and it makes me be able to go out in front of a class and do what I need to do.”

(Finnerty:) And the University sees those skills as critical to its community outreach.

(Sessoms:) “It's a goal of the campus as a whole as you know, to make a difference in our community. So, when we send students out, we are cognizant that they need to go into challenging situations. They need to go to the schools where they're needed the most.”

(Finnerty:) This is Jim Finnerty reporting.

(Narrator:) For more information on this and other news from Sacramento State, visit our website.