Jean Mistele

Instructor: Mathematics and Statistics Department

Radford University

Christopher Newport University Mathematics B.S. 1984

George Mason University Systems Engineering M.S. 1991

Radford University Education M.S. 2009

Professional Interests:

Mathematics Teacher Education

Social Justice Mathematics

Mathematics and Statistics

Publications:

Corwin, S., Case, W. A., Mistele, J., Smith, B. S., & Sorensen, S. (2006). Math and society. Radford, VA: Radford University.

Mistele, J., & Spielman, L. J. (in review). The impact of “Math for Social Analysis” on math anxiety in elementary preservice teachers.

Book Chapter: Spielman, L. J., & Mistele, J. (in press). Service learning for “Mathematics Education in the Public Interest.” In M. Cooksey (Ed.), Quick

hits for service-learning: Successful strategies from award-winning educators.

Projects:

Mathematics Education in the Public Interest (MEPI)

This is a team effort with Dr. Laura Spielman, who is a colleague and faculty member in the department. The project supports equity and social justice in mathematics education with its three goals; (1) to support equity in mathematics by expanding course taking and career options for underrepresented groups, (2) to diversify student interest and participation in mathematics and (3) to broaden the view of mathematics as a discipline. The current focus of the project is the course, Elementary and Middle Grades Mathematics for Social Analysis [Math for Social Analysis]. Our research addresses preservice teachers’ beliefs and attitudes towards mathematics and their beliefs and attitudes towards becoming future teachers of mathematics in the elementary and middle grades. We have a website, which is a work in progress to share social justice activities with preservice teachers, in service teachers and others interested in a new approach to using and teaching mathematics.

We currently have a grant under review with NSF. It is a Phase I Program in Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement [NSF-CCLI].

Principal Investigator: Laura Spielman

Co-Principal Investigator: Jean Mistele

MEPI Website:

See http://www.radford.edu/mepi

MEPI Researchers: Jean Mistele and Laura Spielman

Funds of Knowledge

This project is a multi-institution research project. The goal connects community knowledge to school knowledge in mathematics education with a focus on pre-service mathematics methods courses. Lead researchers include; Dr. Erin Turner from the University of Arizona and Dr. Corey Drake from Iowa State University

Activities:

Summer Bridge Program (for Information Technology, Mathematics and Science)

Mathematics track instructor for the Summer Bridge Program at Radford University. Focus on recruiting more females into STEM disciplines.

Females Advancing the Sciences and Technology

Mathematics program participant for the Females Advancing the Sciences and Technology Annual Event supporting middle school females’ interest in STEM fields; Partnership between Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Radford University, Virginia Tech, four public school districts in Virginia, and several other universities and industries.