Since its inception in 1989, the San Joaquin Valley Mathematics Project (SJVMP) has impacted hundreds of teachers throughout Central California through its summer institutes, academic year follow-ups, partnerships with area districts/schools, conferences, and its support of events such as Mathematics Field Days, science fairs, conferences for preservice and classroom teachers, and the televised homework support program, "Math on Call." The history and structure of the SJVMP and an overview California's educational reforms over the past 20 years are available in the article, "Teacher Leadership Development as a Critical Component of Systemic Reform: The San Joaquin Valley Mathematics Project" (available in HTML).

The SJVMP's primary service area currently consists of Fresno, Kings, Madera, and Tulare counties-a vast area in Central California consisting of 115 school districts, over 600 schools, and nearly 310,000 students. The host campus for the SJVMP is California State University, Fresno (CSUF). Dr. Agnes Tuska serves as the Faculty Advisor. Dr. Rajee Amarasinghe (Mathematics Department, CSUF), Dr. Carol Fry Bohlin (Kremen College of Education, CSUF), and Lori Hamada (Fresno County Office of Education) serve as Project Co-Directors. Drs. Larry Cusick, Peter Tannenbaum and Ronald Wagoner (Mathematics Department, CSUF) serve as members of the Mathematics Content Advisory Board. Nanette Mattos (educational consultant and middle school mathematics teacher) serves as the Partnership Coordinator, organizing mathematics professional development for teachers in low-performing schools. Michelle Giddens is the project's Administrative Assistant.

Over the past few years, California has developed academic content standards for mathematics, approved a new mathematics framework, implemented a comprehensive statewide assessment system, and adopted new mathematics textbooks. A major goal of the SJVMP is to increase K-12 teachers' awareness of these new reforms and to increase their mathematical competence and confidence so that they in turn can help their students to develop a deep, meaningful understanding of mathematics concepts and proficiency in mathematics skills. Another goal of the SJVMP is the development of teacher leadership in mathematics. This is accomplished through leadership retreats, by providing teachers with the opportunity to assume leadership roles, and by keeping teachers regularly apprised of the latest news, professional development opportunities, and mathematics education resources. Members of the community of SJVMP teacher leaders are involved in many professional development activities and in leadership positions, including the following:

• They are enrolled in master's programs at California State University, Fresno (MA in Education, Curriculum and Instruction or the MA in Mathematics, Teaching Option) and at Fresno Pacific University.
  
• They serve as directors, workshop providers, consultants, and tutors for a number of mathematics
  education programs, including the SJVMP school/district partnerships; Visalia Unified School District's
  NSF-funded grant, STEPSS; Fresno County Office of Education's AB 1331 Consortium; the televised "Math
  on Call" homework hotline; the College Readiness Program (CRP); CAPP; TLC3 (Teacher Leadership
  Collaborative of Central California); and mathematics fairs and field days for K-12 students.
• They serve as regional and statewide officers in the California Mathematics Council.
• They assist preservice and new teachers by working as peer-instructors, mentors, and workshop leaders in the Fresno Collaborative for Excellence in the Preparation of Teachers (FCEPT), the Science and Mathematics Preservice Partnership Program (SMP3), and the California State University, Fresno Science and Mathematics Education Center (SMEC).

Is the SJVMP for you?

The answer to this question is very likely "yes!" if you are looking for a professional development
opportunity in mathematics education that will:

• Deepen and enhance your knowledge and understanding of mathematics content and pedagogy
• Enrich your knowledge of the latest developments in mathematics curriculum, instruction, and assessment
• Enhance your instructional effectiveness.
• Help empower you to become a leader in mathematics education at your school site and beyond.
• Increase and enhance your knowledge of how to effectively infuse technology into your mathematics curriculum.
• Provide opportunities for networking with other mathematics educators from throughout the Central Valley.
• Provide ongoing professional support and assistance, as well as professional development opportunities in mathematics.

For more information on the SJVMP, contact any of the SJVMP staff.