TU’s Linda Cooper recognized as one of Maryland’s best

By Megan Bradshaw on August 9, 2018

Linda Cooper, professor of mathematics education, received a 2018 Maryland Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) Outstanding Mathematics Educator Award in early July.  

The award recognizes outstanding mathematics teaching and leadership across Maryland, honoring one teacher in each of the following categories: Beginning Teacher, Elementary Teacher, Middle School Teacher, High School Teacher, College Educator, Teacher Leader, and Lifetime Achievement.

Cooper is the co-director of Towson UTeach, TU’s teacher preparation program for students studying to become secondary-level science or mathematics teachers.  

David Vanko, interim provost and dean of the Jess & Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics, praised Cooper’s achievements. “As the co-director of Towson UTeach from its inception in 2012, Dr. Cooper has done a superb job of starting a major new program from scratch,” he said. 

“She has done an excellent job of strengthening ties with local public school systems and developing a program that provides an unusually rich experience for preservice teachers.”

Cooper led the effort to develop the syllabi for 11 new courses needed for the program, seven of which she wrote herself. She developed recruitment strategies with four community colleges and modified Towson’s secondary education major so that community college transfer students can finish in a total of four years and 120 credits. She also began a summer externship program where Towson UTeach financially supports its students to work with local public school districts during the summer, writing curriculum and modifying software applications.

Awardees will be honored on October 17 during the MCTM Annual Meeting and Award Banquet.  

The MCTM is a public voice of mathematics education, inspiring vision, providing leadership, offering professional development, and supporting equitable mathematics learning of the highest quality for all students.

This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel's priorities for Towson University: TU Matters to Maryland.