UTeach for Texas and IDEA Public Schools Launch Innovative Pilot to Strengthen Math Teaching in the Rio Grande Valley
Program to Serve as a Model for Expanding Texas’s Certified Teacher Workforce and Boosting Student Achievement
March 4, 2025
UTeach for Texas at The University of Texas at Austin and IDEA Public Schools are launching a groundbreaking pilot program designed to enhance teachers' ability to implement innovative teaching practices while supporting them in earning teacher certification in mathematics. This initiative will directly benefit educators and students in the Rio Grande Valley, equipping teachers with the skills and credentials needed to improve student outcomes in mathematics.
Through this partnership, a select cohort of IDEA Public Schools middle school mathematics teachers will engage in high-quality professional development focused on research-based instructional strategies, inquiry-driven learning, and blended-learning approaches. The program will provide targeted coaching, online learning, and a comprehensive pathway to obtaining a 4th-8th grade mathematics certification.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with IDEA Public Schools on this initiative,” said Carrie Culpepper, Program Manager at UTeach for Texas. “Not only will this program enhance instruction and expand professional growth opportunities for teachers in the Rio Grande Valley, but it also serves as a scalable model for increasing the number of certified math teachers across Texas—something that research correlates to improved student outcomes.”
With Texas facing an ongoing shortage of educators, this initiative demonstrates a sustainable approach to addressing teacher workforce gaps. By equipping teachers with enhanced instructional skills and a clear path to certification, the program aims to build a strong, lasting pipeline of qualified math educators, ultimately leading to higher student achievement in mathematics.
“This partnership is about more than just professional development—it’s about creating real solutions to the teacher shortage and ensuring students have access to high-quality math instruction,” said Jill Dominguez, UTeach graduate and Area Superintendent of IDEA Public Schools in the Rio Grande Valley. “We believe this model can be replicated across Texas to make a meaningful impact on both teacher preparedness and student success.”
For more information about this initiative, please contact:
Carrie Culpepper
culpepper@uteach.utexas.edu
About UTeach for Texas
UTeach for Texas, based at The University of Texas at Austin, is dedicated to expanding and strengthening mathematics, science, and computer science teacher preparation and professional development across the state. Through innovative teacher support programs and partnerships, UTeach for Texas supports educators in implementing effective, student-centered instruction.
About IDEA Public Schools
IDEA Public Schools believes that each child can go to college. Since 2000, IDEA Public Schools has grown from a small school with 150 students to a network of tuition-free, K-12 public charter schools in the United States. Currently, the network serves over 87,000 college-bound students in 145 schools across Texas and its affiliates. IDEA has been recognized in national rankings for The Washington Post, The U.S. Department of Education’s list of Blue Ribbon Schools, and U.S. News & World Report’s Top High Schools lists. In the last 17 years, IDEA has sent nearly 100% of its graduates to college and remains on track to uphold that legacy.