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 instructional, teaching, or other continuing track faculty members. Instructional/teaching/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 (planned dates June 21-26, 2023 [Wed.-Mon.]) and a follow-up meeting at the 2024 AMTE conference. Please encourage eligible mathematics education faculty members to learn more. Program and application information can be found on the AMTE website. The application deadline is Monday November 28; decisions will be announced by January 31, 2022.

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 2024. Institutional expenses are estimated at $1,500-$2,000.

The STaR program has supported 13 cohorts since 2010, and has thus far 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 2023 Institute Director, Mathew Felton-Koestler (felton@ohio.edu), are happy to answer questions from prospective applicants. Feedback from the 2022 Fellows illustrates what one can expect from the program:

“The workshops I attended and the new connections I made have already begun to inform my teaching via course design. By the end of the summer STaR experience, I was also able to establish a research group with plans for upcoming conference proposals, publications, and grants. On a personal note, I see the relationships I developed here as being a strong support to my long-term sustainability and productivity in the field.”

“The STaR Fellow experience has been transformative for me. I have found like-minded individuals who have struggled to find their way on a college campus during COVID. The mentors have provided invaluable information on how to navigate service, teaching, and research requirements. I have been apprehensive in my research, but I feel that I have joined a community (math family) that will support me as I start to write my first journal article this semester. I have found my voice and my space in math education, and it is because of the STaR Fellows program.”

“The STaR experience was phenomenal. I am truly grateful for having the opportunity to be a part of the 2022 cohort. We worked with our peers to share ideas, collaborate on projects, and engage in future planning, all while receiving the mentorship of other more experienced mathematics teacher educators in our field. Additionally, I enjoyed the presentations and fireside chats with mentors that made space for us (as fellows) to talk about real issues that we face in academia. I believe that the networking opportunities were perhaps the most valuable since I will continue to have connections to other mathematics teacher educators to learn from and continue to grow as a scholar in service, teaching, and research.”

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.