Funding Opportunity: GSI position in Math Department

he Math department has posted a GSI position for Winter 2014- Math 489: Mathematics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers. This is a 50% GSI position and the anticipated workload is 16.5 -20 hours per week. The application deadline is November 15, 2013. You can view more information/ apply here: http://umjobs.org/job_detail/88699/math_489_grad_stu_instr_winter_term. More information can also be found below.

Current research in mathematics education highlights the importance of elementary teachers' math content knowledge in carrying out their teaching duties. Math 385/489 is a two-semester math content sequence required for all elementary education majors. It aims to provide the students with a deep understanding of the structures and concepts behind elementary mathematics. Both courses in the sequence are part of the IBL program in the math department and are taught using groupwork, student presentations, and projects.

In Winter 2014, Math 489 will have two sections: MW 12:00-1:30 and MW 1:30-3:00. The core material in Math 489 is proportional reasoning, geometry, and their connections. Here is an example of a problem from the course: "A hospital claims that over 80% of its patients spend less than two nights in the hospital. However, on any given day, over 80% of the patients interviewed claim they've been in the hospital for over one month. (a) Is somebody lying? (b) Is this surprising? Why or why not? (c) If you wanted to write a survey to better understand the 'typical' hospital overnight experience, what would you need to keep in mind in giving your survey?"

The GSI will work closely with the instructor on all facets of the course in order to help meet student needs. Duties include but are not limited to the following: collaborate with instructor to revise worksheets and homework; contribute exam problems and help edit exams; attend classes to help facilitate groupwork; prepare and deliver some lessons; hold three office hours per week; assist with grading of homework and exams; meet with instructor regularly; administrative tasks (copying, etc.)

• Selection Criteria will include:
• Relevant academic preparation for teaching the course material
• Extent of prior instructional experience
• Student evaluations
• Relevance to graduate training

• Qualifications include:
• Graduate student in good standing in the University
• Previous experience as a GSI, with favorable student evaluations
• Previous experience teaching courses in Mathematics

• Desired qualifications:
• Master’s in Mathematics
• Experience teaching math education courses