Skip to main content
University of Nebraska Omaha logo University of Nebraska Omaha
APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY

Students Faculty Staff Community
University of Nebraska Omaha logo
College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY
Students Faculty Staff Community
  • About Us Backback to Main menu
    • About Us
    • News
    • CEHHS Instructional Technology Office
    • Faculty & Staff Directory
    • Publications
  • Academics Backback to Main menu
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Graduate Programs
    • Teacher Certification Pathways
    • Academic Advising and Field Experiences
    • Study Abroad
    • Academic Policies & Procedures
    • Accreditation
  • Admissions Backback to Main menu
    • Admissions
    • Apply
    • Scholarships
    • Graduate Assistantships
  • Student Involvement
  • Community Engagement Backback to Main menu
    • Community Engagement
    • Community Counseling Clinic
    • Speech-Language Hearing Clinic
    • Metropolitan Omaha Educational Consortium
    • Phi Delta Kappa
    • Service Learning
  • Research Backback to Main menu
    • Research and Creative Activity
    • Health and Kinesiology
    • Biomechanics Research Building
    • Center for Research in Human Movement Variability
    • Journal of Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership in Education
  • Support Us
  1. UNO
  2. College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
  3. News
  4. 2021
  5. 10
  6. Creating a Culture of Math Readiness and Support

Creating a Culture of Math Readiness and Support

  • contact: College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
  • email: unocehhs@unomaha.edu
Dario Gudino

Math teacher at Bryan High School and CEHHS alumnus, Dario Gudino (right), holds dual degrees in Math and Education through the NebraskaMATH Omaha Noyce Partnership.

On campus and out in the community, the Teacher Education Department (TED) supports innovative math-related initiatives and partnerships.

On campus and out in the community, the Teacher Education Department (TED) supports innovative math-related initiatives and partnerships.

On campus and out in the community, the Teacher Education Department (TED) supports innovative math-related initiatives and partnerships.

On campus and out in the community, the Teacher Education Department (TED) supports innovative math-related initiatives and partnerships.

On campus and out in the community, the Teacher Education Department (TED) supports innovative math-related initiatives and partnerships.


PREPARING QUALITY TEACHERS

As an undergraduate student pursuing a math degree at UNO, Dario Gudino grabbed a unique opportunity that guided him into the field of education.

"I assisted with a class at Metropolitan Community College (MCC) where the majority of students were from minority populations and struggled with mathematic content," explained Dario, now a math teacher at Bryan High School and graduate of the NebraskaMATH Omaha Noyce Partnership.

"I really connected with the students and enjoyed what I was doing. I also know they benefited from having someone like me there with them."

Funded by a $1.4 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, UNO Noyce Scholars pursue careers as culturallyresponsive math teachers in high-need secondary schools while receiving scholarships, research opportunities, internships, and mentorship. The scholars graduate with dual degrees in Math and Education.

kelly-gomez-johnson-2.jpg

"Our program is a student- and community-centered collaboration between MCC and UNO focused on increasing the number of highly-qualified secondary math teachers," said Assistant Professor and Principal Investigator of the grant, Dr. Kelly Gomez Johnson.

"Being successful in college and beyond takes more than coursework. Our program creates a community of learners who support each other, the campus, and our community and have long-lasting networks of faculty and peers to turn to as they start their teaching careers."


CREATING INNOVATIVE COURSES

TED faculty members are developing courses to connect UNO students with real-world application of mathematics and STEM. The new courses benefit both aspiring educators and students fulfilling general education requirements.

derrick-nero.jpg

In Dr. Derrick Nero's Science Experiments & Engineering Design course, students work together to create near-space experiments which they launch using a high-altitude balloon.

"In order to teach others, you need to know how to do it yourself, so a class like this is valuable for education students so they can have a solid foundation in STEM practices," said Nero.

michelle-friend.jpg

Through recent NSF grant funding, Dr. Michelle Friend has developed several general education math courses. One new course incorporates Service Learning, pairing UNO students with local nonprofits to solve real-world, organizational problems, while giving students critical workforce skills such as data literacy and collaboration.

"Many students in general education math courses have 'math anxiety' and a history of terrible experiences with math courses," said Friend.

"Innovation in these courses at UNO helps people see that math can be fun and interesting, provide applicable valuable skills in many settings, and can lead to great career opportunities."


PROVIDING STATEWIDE SUPPORT

Throughout Nebraska, a new program is strengthening students' understanding and perception of math, and UNO is involved. The Nebraska Math Readiness Project, a program that helps struggling high school students develop stronger math skills before college, is a collaboration between six community colleges, 35 high schools, and UNO. The UNO team, headed by CEHHS Associate Dean Neal Grandgenett, oversees the statewide program evaluation.

neal-grandgenett.jpg

"We're early in the project, but it's showing a good trajectory," said Grandgenett. "For example, only 7.9% of the students passed a fractions test before joining the project, but 83% passed it as the class progressed."

Grandgenett continues, "Math preparedness among many students is a historical and national problem. Math is necessary, not just to get through college, but to perform well in many activities and occupations like cooking, construction, automotive work, and nursing. Developmental Mathematics is everybody’s business."

Read more about the Math Readiness Project at Omaha.com >>


This story appeared in the most recent issue of the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences Annual Report.

News Sections

  • College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences News Center
  • UNO News Center
  • Maverick Daily
  • The Bullseye
  • Campus Events

Featured

  • Health Science Collaborative Nears Completion
  • American Sign Language Minor Thrives in First Year
  • UNO Launches Statewide Learning Hub for Nebraska Educators
  • Education Students Experience Global Learning in Kenya

Most Viewed

  • Educational Leadership Programs Now 100% Online
  • Parkinson Voice Project Supports Education and Therapy in Speech-Language Clinic
  • Teacher Education Supports Literacy Initiatives

Contact Us

If you have a story idea, news tip or inquiry please contact us at:

  • College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
  • Email: unocehhs@unomaha.edu
  • Phone: 402.554.2719

About the College of Education

College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences

Contact Us
  • College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
  • Roskens Hall
  • 6001 Dodge Street
  • Omaha, NE 68182   map
  • 402.554.2719
Social media
Academic Units
  • Department of Biomechanics
  • Department of Counseling
  • Department of Educational Leadership
  • School of Health and Kinesiology
  • Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders
  • Teacher Education Department
roskens hall

Next Steps

  • Visit UNO
  • Request Information
  • Apply for Admission
  • The UNO Advantage
  • Our City (Omaha)

Just For You

  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Work at UNO
  • Faculty and Staff
  • A-Z List

Popular Services and Resources

  • my.unomaha.edu
  • Academic Calendar
  • Campus Buildings & Maps
  • Library
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Course Catalogs
  • Internships & Career Development
  • The Maverick Store
  • MavCARD Services
  • Military-Connected Resource Center
  • Speech Center
  • Writing Center
  • Human Resources
  • Center for Faculty Excellence

Affiliates

  • University of Nebraska System
  • NU Foundation
  • Buffett Early Childhood Institute
  • Daugherty Water for Food Institute
  • National Strategic Research Institute
  • Peter Kiewit Institute
  • Rural Prosperity Nebraska
  1. University Policies
  2. Privacy Statement
  3. Accessibility
  1. 402.554.2800

University of Nebraska Omaha
University of Nebraska Omaha, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68182
  • ©  
  • Emergency Information Alert
  • MavsReport

Social Media


Omaha Skyline

Our Campus. Otherwise Known as Omaha.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its education programs or activities, including admissions and employment. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. Read the full statement.