Math for Teaching Scholarships provide financial support to undergraduates serious about pursuing a career in mathematics education.

How to Apply

Eligibility

The Curtis Center Math for Teaching scholarship is intended for undergraduate students who are serious about pursuing a career in mathematics education. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  1. The applicant must be at least one of the following:
    a. Rising senior who has completed Math 73, Math 74, or Math 75 and follows through with enrollment in Math 105ABC during the senior year
    b. Rising senior in the Math for Teaching Major or Math for Teaching Minor
    c. Rising senior accepted into the UCLA Teacher Education Program and Curtis Center’s Joint Mathematics Education Pathway
    d. Rising junior accepted into the UCLA Teacher Education Program and Curtis Center’s   Integrated Pathway
  2. The applicant’s overall GPA must be 2.5+
Award Amount

$3,000 to be distributed in $1,000 increments each quarter for one academic year contingent upon:

  1. Successful completion of coursework
  2. Continued enrollment as an undergraduate
  3. Maintenance of a 2.5+ GPA
Application Components
  1. Unofficial transcript.
  2. Personal Statement: Include a 1-2 page statement addressing the below questions. Please double-space and use 12pt font.
    a. How did your interest in a career in mathematics education develop? What are your goals?
    b. What attitudes around mathematics do you want to nurture in your future students?
    c. (Optional) Do you have a financial need that you would like to share with the committee?
    d. (Optional – To be considered for the additional distinction of Dorothy Smith Curtis Scholar) Do you have any volunteer experience?

 

Deadline and Application

Apply by the fourth (last) Friday in June on the UCLA Scholarship Website.

Note: You will need to log in before you can apply.

Dorothy Smith Curtis Scholar

Each year, one Math for LA Scholarship recipient is awarded an additional $500 per quarter and named the Dorothy Smith Curtis Scholar for exceptional service to the community through tutoring. For this reason, the application asks for information regarding applicant tutoring or volunteering experience.

Dorothy Smith Curtis was an educator whose contributions led to the establishment of The Philip C. Curtis Jr. Center and its success working towards a world class mathematics education for all students. In 1970, Dot earned her teaching credential and began a 30-year career teaching parent education for the LAUSD. She relished working with mothers and young children from all over the worlds. They taught her their cultures, and she helped mothers raise their children with love, consistency, and exposure to ideas and learning, sharing with others what she brought to her family and friends.

2024-25 Awardee

Vivian Zhou

Math for Teaching Scholar
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Vivian Zhou

Math for Teaching Scholar

Throughout my early education, my favorite subject was math. As years went on, I was inspired by my teachers to become an educator. Not everyone can say the same, but I definitely felt a strong connection with some of my teachers. One person who really sticks out to me when I am asked who inspired me to pursue this career is my high school statistics teacher. He was an amazing teacher and has mentored and guided me to figuring out what I wanted to do. Every now and then, I still ask him questions and he is always there to help. As of now, I have decided that I want to be a high school math teacher because high school was my favorite time during my education. I also hope to build that same connection with my future students that I had with my high school teachers.
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2023-24 Awardees

  • Arzoan Esparza: Dorothy Smith Curtis Scholar
  • Samantha Padron: Math for Teaching Scholar

2022-23 Awardees

  • Ashley Casillas: Dorothy Smith Curtis Scholar
  • Haley Hallman: Math for Teaching Scholar