Teacher-led M3T network cites student gains, seeks sustained support

The committee received an update on Mountaineer Mathematics Master Teachers (M3T), a teacher-led improvement network that places teacher leaders in a coordinating role to support colleagues across district lines.

Joanna Bert Kinderman (M3T lead) described the model: participating teacher leaders receive a $10,000 annual stipend to lead after-school and summer work, districts typically cover about 25% of the program match, and the network provides shared materials free to participating districts. The project began with major federal funding (National Science Foundation) and district matches; Joanna said the work has continued with mixed funding sources and district buy-in.

Classroom outcomes: Teacher leaders including Jason Massey and Adam Riazzi presented classroom and county-level examples. Jason described using '3-act math' tasks and repeated student surveys to measure engagement; Adam, a presidential awardee, said participating classrooms reported higher proficiency than county averages and that program-affiliated classrooms are closing the pre-pandemic proficiency gap faster than nonparticipating districts.

Scale and funding: Presenters said M3T has worked in dozens of districts, reached more than 30,000 students in recent years and received NSF funding ($3,000,000) with an additional $900,000 from WVDE in earlier phases; Joanna and colleagues noted districts contribute match funds and that House Bill 5405 created a competitive grant mechanism (district grants of $25,000) to support participation.

Committee discussion: Members asked why some districts were not selected for competitive grants; presenters said they do not have access to WVDE selection decisions and suggested districts use Step 7 PD funding or other matching sources.

Provenance: Topic introduced at SEG 1432 and closed at SEG 2110.