By Jenny Recktenwald
Karima Badouan, an academic instructional coach at Minors Lane Elementary School, finds it heartbreaking to hear anyone say, “I’m not a math person.” She understands the importance of identifying the right math teaching method for each student and helping those students feel confident at the earliest stages of their academic journey.
She heightened her own math teaching with the college’s Elementary Math Specialist (EMS) endorsement – the state’s only program designed for elementary teachers to broaden their depth of knowledge in mathematics beyond the elementary preparation program.
EMS “completers,” as they are called, can use the endorsement to enhance their careers as a coach/mentor, teacher leader/coordinator, teacher of multiple classes of elementary students, teacher of special groups of students (remedial, enrichment), curriculum specialist or curriculum coordinator. Participants can complete the program as a standalone endorsement or combine the EMS with an MEd in Teacher Leadership or Rank I program.
The largest group ever earned the endorsement in May 2024, thanks to financial support from the Graham Elementary Math Specialist (GEMS) Scholarship and the Kentucky Department of Education’s Math Achievement Fund, both of which supported the professional learning of math coaches and included enrollment in the EMS program.
“It gave me the confidence to take on a leadership role within my school...” - Karima Badouan
Led by Professor Jennifer Bay-Williams and Assistant Professor Kate Marin, the EMS certification uses a cohort model and gives practicing teachers a community of peers they can turn to with questions and problems of practice.
“EMS completers distinguish themselves as a local expert and serve as mentors in informal ways, get asked to be the math leads in their grade or school or get selected to become a leader for a region of the school district,” Bay-Williams said. “The last two JCPS elementary math district leads have been EMS completers.”
Badouan, a GEMS Scholar, completed the program in 2024. “It gave me the confidence to take on a leadership role within my school as the academic instructional coach and gave me the tools I needed to spread the content knowledge and best teaching practices throughout my school and district.”
Kindergarten teacher Alyssa Jones and 4th-5th grade math teacher Dana Gahafer, both at Portland Elementary School, completed the EMS endorsement together to raise the bar for math education at their school. Both said they were drawn by the opportunity to learn from an expert of Bay-Williams’ caliber.
“I have completely changed who I am as a math teacher,” Gahafer said. “I talk less and listen more to my students. I let them lead their math learning by knowing the standards, and see where they are and what approach is going to be best for them. We focus on that math does not have to be done one way but rather in a way that makes sense to them.”
“I have completely changed who I am as a math teacher. I talk less and listen more to my students.” - Dana Gahafer
Jones said they are putting the EMS experience into practice in multiple ways. “Our goal is to create a school-wide Math Pact to ensure that students are using common language and strategies across all grade levels and see how our work will positively impact students building wide.”
Marin noted that the KDE’s support of the program demonstrates the state’s confidence in the college’s leadership in math coaching and continued professional learning for elementary teachers of mathematics.
“This is an outstanding professional learning experience for elementary teachers,” Marin said. “They leave so much better prepared to teach math and support others who are teaching elementary students.”
In their respective careers in medicine and nursing, Dr. Lyle and Linda Graham recognized that their foundational math education laid the groundwork for their professional endeavors. The Grahams are longtime supporters involved with the Office of Community Engagement, which works with units across the university in identifying ways to collaborate with community partners in mutually beneficial ways. They knew many local students were struggling with math proficiency, particularly due to the COVID learning loss.
Discussion among Henry Cunningham, UofL’s director of community engagement; Jennifer Bay-Williams, professor of math education and EMS program coordinator; and the Grahams led to the creation of the Graham Elementary Math Specialist (GEMS) Scholarship — a generous fund that supports Jefferson County Public Schools teachers and the improvement of mathematics teaching in JCPS.
The scholarship provides $6,000 per participant and with the College’s 25% graduate tuition reduction per credit hour, more than two-thirds of the cost is covered for each participating student.
Dr. Graham, a math major as an undergraduate, was energized by the new methods and best practices embedded in the EMS curriculum.
“Seeing [GEMS Scholars’] enthusiasm and excitement about how well this is working made a real impression on me,” he said.
The Grahams make a point to meet and hear from GEMS scholars about their experience, which confirms for them that their support is making an impact.
“Several of them told us without the scholarship they wouldn’t be able to do this,” said Linda Graham. “Knowing that, we feel very fortunate to be able to provide this support.”
“This scholarship provided me with the opportunity to engage in this important work and learn from phenomenal math leaders Jenny Bay-Williams and Kate Marin,” said Karima Badouan, a GEMS Scholar and academic instructional coach at Minors Lane Elementary School. “The GEMS program has also been a great networking experience as I have been able to learn from fantastic teacher leaders within JCPS.”
To learn more about supporting the Elementary Math Specialist program, contact Henry Cunningham at hcunningham@louisville.edu. For information about participating, contact Jennifer-Bay Williams at j.baywilliams@louisville.edu.
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