Current and future mathematics and science educators are invited to a conference April 1 at the University of Houston-Victoria to learn about the latest teaching techniques and concepts.
The Victoria Crossroads Council of Mathematics Educators Conference will feature about 45 math and science presentations for education students, teachers and parents. The conference will be hosted by the UHV School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development and is modeled after the Conference for Advancement of Mathematics Teachers.
“This is a great event for educators in the Crossroads because they will hear about new teaching ideas and interact with each other as well as with future teachers,” said Barba Patton, a UHV professor of mathematics education. “Sharing stories about what’s worked well in classrooms can be a big benefit.”
The conference will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in UHV University West, 3007 N. Ben Wilson St. Lunch will be provided. Registration costs $25 and can be completed online at uhvconnect.org/event/MathDay. Attendees can earn seven continuing education hours.
UHV offers a wide range of education undergraduate and graduate degrees, and many students from those programs plan to participate in the conference. The university is providing transportation from Katy to Victoria, so students taking classes on the UHV Katy Campus can attend.
Patton said UHV students will benefit in several ways. In addition to directly learning from the sessions, they get to network with existing educators and get a better idea about professional development.
“Professional development is so often dreaded, but it doesn’t have to be,” Patton said. “This conference will give students a good impression of what educators can get out of it.”
Patton said her favorite part of the conference is seeing attendees’ excitement about learning. This is the fourth time the conference has occurred. Patton received a $1,200 grant from the Texas Council of Math Teachers to launch the event in 2015.
“They gave us the seed money, and it’s just taken off from there,” Patton said. “It’s grown every time we’ve held it.”
Fred Litton, dean of the UHV School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development, said the school looks forward to the event as a way to reinvigorate discussions about teaching methods and strategies.
“Supporting and strengthening educators in the areas we serve is a key part of our purpose as a school,” Litton said. “This conference provides a wonderful learning opportunity, and I hope existing educators and those new to the field will take advantage of it.”
For more information about the conference, contact Patton at pattonb@uhv.edu or 361-570-4271.