The Service, Teaching, and Research (STaR) Program provides mentorship and networking opportunities for faculty members at U.S. institutions who are in their first or second year of an appointment at the time of application. The program has now expanded to allow applications from both tenure-track and clinical, instructional, or other continuing track faculty members. Clinical/instructional/continuing track applicants must be in a continuing or long-term position that includes opportunities for promotion or advancement.

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. The program includes a week-long retreat (the institute will meet from June13th-18th 2026), and a follow-up meeting at the 2027 AMTE conference. Please encourage eligible mathematics education faculty members to learn more about STaR. Program and application process on the AMTE website. The application deadline is Friday November 7 2025; decisions will be announced by January 31, 2026.

The STaR program is sponsored by AMTE, with funding being provided through two main sources:

• The generous support of various professional organizations (including AMTE, AMTE state affiliates, NCTM, SIG/RME, PME-NA, ASA, CPM and CMP) and private individuals. These funds are used to provide STaR Fellows with lodging and some meals.
• The support of STaR fellows’ home institutions. These funds provide funding for transportation to and from the summer retreat, some meals, and expenses associated with attending a follow-up meeting prior to AMTE in 2026. Institutional expenses are estimated at $2,500 - $3000.

The STaR program has supported 16 cohorts since 2010 and has worked with hundreds of early career mathematics educators. These STaR Fellows come out of more than 100 different doctoral programs and hold positions at close to 200 different institutions of higher education. These STaR Fellows and the 2026 Institute Director, Anthony Fernandes (avpstarprograms@amte.net; anthony.fernandes@charlotte.edu), are happy to answer questions from prospective applicants. Feedback from the 2025 Fellows illustrates what one can expect from the program:

About the social activities and informal interactions

• Spending the evenings together was invaluable. I also really enjoyed the chance to get to know the staff through the fireside chats. Overall, everything that we did this week felt purposeful and like I got something out of it. It was an incredible experience.

The benefits of STaR

• I've spoken with my school already. I would say that this experience was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The planning and organizing of the manuscript, research, and teaching groups were so thoughtful and allowed me to work with scholars I wouldn't have assumed I had anything in common with. I also enjoyed the non-competitive nature of the space. Attending an R-1 university can make you believe you're not doing enough. But having the time to reflect on our service and talk to other early-career scholars allowed me to appreciate what I have done and know that I don't have to do everything alone and can collaborate. I also really appreciated the free time we were given to get to know each other. I left the retreat feeling like I had at least ten friends in academia that I could reach out to and lean on. This experience made me want to become active in AMTE.
• The STaR institute was an incredible and invaluable experience for me as an early-career faculty. While all of the activities and opportunities during this institute were helpful, I think the thing I will carry with me as I move forward is the understanding that I am not alone in the work I do. As a sole MTE at my institution, it often feels lonely because I do not have the day-to-day support of working with other mathematics educators. Being in community with others who not only engage in mathematics education but who prioritize the same things I do in the classroom and in my research was invigorating and comforting.

Perhaps because I am a sole MTE, I appreciate the formation of my teaching interest group the most from this week. We are working on some exciting ideas for assessing secondary mathematics content from a stance of growth in addition to understanding. I am excited to continue my work with them and know that this will be a lifelong endeavor that we work on together. The week I spent learning and growing with other early career MTEs in Park City will be one of my most cherished memories. I look forward to engaging with this community and the larger ATME community as I move forward in my career.

• The AMTE STaR program was incredibly beneficial for me as an early career mathematics education professor. The sessions on research, teaching, and service provided valuable insights and practical tools I can immediately apply in my work. I especially appreciated the opportunity to connect with fellow early career faculty who share similar interests. Our teaching and research interest groups fostered both collaboration and community, and we plan to continue meeting to further develop ideas we generated together. The manuscript groups were particularly impactful, offering a supportive environment for receiving constructive feedback from colleagues with aligned research goals. I’m truly grateful for the experience and the lasting professional relationships it helped me form.
• Participating in STaR helped me connect with other early-career faculty in a way that is not as accessible at my current institution. What I most appreciated was that we could compare notes with how our experiences as first- or second- year faculty are going, and kind of learn the "hidden curriculum" of academia together, with the caring mentorship of the staff. In addition, I've connected with folks who I can collaborate with over both teaching and research, which again I don't have as much access to at my institution. Academia is hard to navigate on your own, so building this support system through STaR has been extremely beneficial for me.
• The mentoring provided by experienced MTEs who are well-connected within AMTE was a highlight for me of the STaR Fellows Retreat. I found our mentors to be knowledgeable, approachable, insightful, and sensitive to our needs as new MTEs. I look forward to their continued support and mentorship.
• The STaR experience provided me with invaluable opportunities for networking and building meaningful relationships. Connecting with colleagues from different institutions allowed me to engage in rich conversations about teaching practices and scholarship, laying the foundation for future collaborations. These connections have not only supported my own professional growth but have also created a supportive community to exchange ideas, reflect on challenges, and develop innovative approaches to both teaching and research. Additionally, the STaR program deepened my understanding of how teaching can serve as a powerful entry point into research. I also appreciated the emphasis on intentional service—learning to align service with personal and professional values to make meaningful contributions within and beyond the institution.
• This experience allowed me to connect with others and learn how they were navigating these tumultuous times. I was uplifted by others' stories and ideas. This group developed my professional and personal identities and helped me understand what holistic flourishing in my life looks like when a large part of it is associated with being in mathematics education.

The fireside chats

• I think I benefited from asking my questions to Belinda, Jen, or Mandy in 1:1 conversations.  Still, having the space to listen to other peoples' experiences and feelings was very helpful. I especially appreciated Jen's openness to share her journey, with ups and downs... I really appreciate the staff's showing the human side of them, before being a researcher, it was very impactful...

The talks

• I appreciated the vulnerabilities that all of the speakers shared. It showed that even very accomplished researchers had bumpy roads, were at times unsure, and/or tough decisions to make regarding teaching, research, and service. That perspective helps early career folx feel less alone.

The STaR program is dependent on donations to ensure the future of this vibrant program. Of significance is the fact that over half of past STaR Fellows have contributed to the AMTE STaR fund. PLEASE consider giving $25, $50, $100 or more.

Visit the STaR Fellows Program Donation Page for information on how to donate to the STaR Program.