President Gretchen M. Bataille spoke about UNT's commitment to train additional math and science teachers at the launch of Teach North Texas.

Dear Alum,

UNT has a strong tradition of preparing highly qualified teachers for America's classrooms. And last month, it was my pleasure to announce a new grant-funded program that will allow us to do more than ever before to supply our schools with well-trained, talented math and science teachers.

Funded by $2.4 million from the Greater Texas Foundation, the National Math and Science Initiative and the UTeach Institute, our Teach North Texas program will help undergraduate math, science and computer science majors obtain teaching certification in those highly sought areas. Sponsors also include ExxonMobil and the Texas High School Project.

UNT is one of 13 colleges and universities in the nation to start a program modeled after the innovative UTeach program at the University of Texas at Austin.

John Quintanilla, associate professor of math, and Mary Harris, Meadows Chair for Excellence in Education, will direct the program, which is a collaborative effort between the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education and the Fort Worth Independent School District.

During the 2006-07 academic year, about 1200 students completed our certification programs for teachers, counselors or other leadership roles in schools. This new effort will enhance our reach by training an additional 60 new math and science teachers each year.

I am sincerely grateful to our donors, and I hope you share my pride in this program, which will make a tremendous difference in the lives of our students and in the lives of young students for years to come.

With green pride,
Gretchen M. Bataille
President

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