Certification Area(s):
Mid Sch M/S
Mathematics
Life Science
Grade Level(s):
7,8,9,10,11,12
Graduate Program(s):
Mathematics Education
MS in Mathematics

I grew up in Wichita, Kansas, and was a very active student throughout my K-12 years. I was an active member of 4-H for 13 years, student council president, cross-country and track team captain for 3 years, and state champion in cross-country and track. After graduating from high school, I attended Pittsburg State University on a track and cross-country scholarship. I began as a double-major in Mathematics and Biology, but eventually the class conflicts got the best of me and I chose Mathematics as my major and Biology as my minor. I completed my student teaching at St. Mary's-Colgan High School in Pittsburg, Kansas, teaching the following courses: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Algebra III, and assisted in the drafting course. After graduating with my BSED early, I still had track eligibility left, so I chose to enter the Graduate Program at Pittsburg State University in the area of Mathematics. While I was completing my masters, I several teaching opportunities presented to me. I was a graduate assistant for the Mathematics department and taught three semesters of College Algebra with Review and one semester of Intermediate Algebra. I was also able to become an adjunct member of Labette Community College where I taught two summers of Applied Mathematics, one semester of Fundamentals of Mathematics, and one summer of College Algebra. In addition, I was offered a part-time job as a junior high honors mathematics teacher at St. Mary's-Colgan. I taught 7th grade Pre-Algebra, 8th grade Algebra, and was the volunteer cross-country coach for the high school.

After graduating with my Master of Science in Mathematics in May 2004, I had a thirst and knowledge for the teaching and development of mathematics. I decided to go right away into my PhD because I felt I had the necessary experiences and I was very motivated to complete the degree.

At Texas A&M University, I have had the opportunity to be a part of many programs and teaching experiences. I have co-taught a course titled Integrated Mathematics and have two sections of Problem Solving in Mathematics. In addition, I have been working with the Middle School Mathematics Project doing video analysis, working on a new NSF grant with my chair, Dr. Gerald Kulm, working on a mini-project with our PEICs project, co-chairperson of the Educational Research Exchange, and have sat in on a search committee. As I am nearing the completion of my program, I have begun work on my dissertation. My area of interest for my dissertation is mathematical knowledge for teaching middle school mathematics teachers. I am really interested in the mathematical knowledge and teaching knowledge of preservice teachers. I am pilot-testing my assessment this fall and will finish the bulk of my dissertation in the spring of 2006.

My other professional interests include mathematics at the secondary and postsecondary levels, performance assessment at the middle school level and above, and manipulatives.

Philosophy of Education: Philosophy

Professional Goals:

• To obtain a job at a research institute that will provide me with the support and mentorship to guide my research experiences
• To continue to research my areas of interest and produce scholarly articles to be dissminated to appropriate journals and audiences
• To continue my leadership and committment to service by becoming more involved in organizations at the national level
• To continue collaborating on projects with Texas A&M University

Running, exercising in general, crocheting, gardening, sewing, cross-stitching, reading, water-skiing, boating, crafts in general

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