BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

I am an Assistant professor of Secondary Mathematics Education at Clemson University. I received a Ph.D. in education in 2006 from the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia. My M.Ed. in Secondary Mathematics Education was done at The College of William and Mary in 2000. I received both of my M.S. and B.S. in Mathematics from Baku State University in 1997. My interests include research in the following areas: (a) geometry education, (b) research on teaching mathematics and mathematics teacher education, and (c) educational technology.

In regards to the academic and teaching career, I experienced the following: (a) five years of designing and teaching inquiry-based undergraduate and graduate mathematics and mathematics education courses for kindergarten through 12th grade mathematics teachers; (b) five years of teaching mathematics in grades four through twelve both in private and public school system; (c) one year of constructing mathematics content items for the Educational Testing Services; (d) two years of supervising pre-service teachers, and (e) seven years spent conducting mathematics teacher professional development for teachers grades one through eight. Currently, I am teaching the following courses at Clemson University: (a) Teaching Secondary Mathematics; (b) Teaching Elementary Mathematics; (c) Current Research in Geometry education.

While at the University of Virginia, I was a member of course development team for Mathematics Specialist Project. For the last three years I designed graduate courses in mathematics and mathematics education and taught the first cohort of Virginia’s K-8 Mathematics Specialists. Also, at UVA taught pre-service and in-service teachers how to use graphing calculators, spreadsheets, Geometer’s Sketchpad, digital cameras, and digital probes in their classrooms.  Working with an interdisciplinary team, I have helped to develop numerous computer applications and resources designed to provide students with a conceptual understanding of mathematics and sciences.

I have been active in professional organizations. Much of my work with technology has lead to presentations at national and state conferences as well as publications in both technology and mathematics education journals.

I believe it is important to have a good working relationship with the schools in the community.  I have volunteered on numerous occasions to conduct mini-units in local elementary classrooms, and workshops for local elementary and middle school teachers.  This opportunity gave me additional insight needed to teach a content using technology and hands-on student experiences.  I feel that by being a familiar face in the local schools, I can: (a) do a better job meeting the needs of in-service teachers; (b) improve my abilities to counsel and instruct pre-service teachers; and (c) carry out my research agenda more efficiently.