The Service, Teaching and Research (STaR) Program is now accepting applications for the 2018 cohort, which will meet in Park City, UT June 25th - 30th. The STaR program is open to faculty members at U.S. institutions who are in their first or second year of an appointment at the time of application. The program provides an opportunity for early career faculty members to develop a network of peers and to interact with more experienced colleagues around issues of service, teaching, and research. Please encourage eligible mathematics education faculty members to learn more;program and application
The STaR program is funded through the generous support of various professional organizations (including AMTE, AMTE state affiliates, NCTM, and ASA) and private individuals. This funding is used to provide STaR fellows with lodging and some meals. Their institutions are responsible for providing funding for transportation to and from Park City, some meals, and expenses associated with attending a follow-up meeting prior to AMTE in 2019. Institutional expenses are estimated at $1500.
The STaR program has supported eight cohorts of 270 early career mathematics educators from over 100 different higher education institutions since 2010. These STaR Fellows and the 2018 institute Co-Directors (Jeff Shih and Keith Leatham) are happy to answer questions from prospective applicants. Feedback from the 2017 Fellows demonstrates what one can expect from the program:
"I just returned home from the 2017 STaR program, and am inspired, excited, and engaged to keep moving forward in our field to improve mathematics education. I found the STaR experience to be invaluable. As a first-generation college student, I have worked hard throughout my career to understand the academic field and how one is supposed to engage with it. The expertise, insider knowledge, and support provided by the STaR leaders is an incredible way to help level the playing field for folks like myself who otherwise may not have access to such knowledge and I am incredibly grateful for it. Moreover, the connections I have made with like-minded peers are ones that I feel I will take with me for many many years in my career to come. For a single week of professional development, the value of STaR is immeasurable. I feel extremely grateful for this experience and hope others can have similar opportunities. "
"The STaR summer institute has been a tremendous experience and very beneficial for me as a early career tenure-track faculty member. I gained crucial knowledge about formulating strong manuscripts for the the field. I had opportunities to connect with faculty across the country who are teaching the same courses that I am in order to learn from them and to make our instruction more effective. I also had the opportunity to connect to others who are doing similar research that I am. Working in a smaller institute, the connections that I've made at the STaR institute is of great value for both the short and long term. These connections will be of great benefit not only to me but also to my institution.."
The future of the STaR Program is dependent on donations to ensure the future of this vibrant program. Of significance is the fact that over half of the STaR Fellows have contributed to the AMTE STaR fund. PLEASE consider giving $25, $50, $100 or more. Information on how to donate is available on the AMTE website.