Dianne McCarthy, associate professor in the Elementary Education, Literacy, Educational Leadership Department has received the Professional Development Award. Dianne will be receiving $441.00 towards her conference to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics on October 2-4, 2019 in Nashville, TN
The goals of Buffalo State under the area of Excellence in Education include educating students with rigorous and engaging practices and focusing on retention and persistence to graduation. One area where students, particularly female students, struggle to persist is the area of mathematics. The American Association of University Women has done studies on female participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields. They conclude that interest and achievement in math are shaped by environment, bias, and stereotyping. It is suggested that women understand stereotype threat and study role models to persist. One strategy to accomplish this would be through a Women in Mathematics course. I wish to develop such a course; for education majors, so they understand their role in developing girls' competence and confidence, as a diversity class in the IF so all understand the accomplishments and barriers and as a course in the women and gender studies minor. It is of particular importance that future teachers understand how to facilitate instruction in mathematics so that all achieve. This conference includes sessions on equity and engagement. It would also allow me to network with others studying this area, so that I could design an exceptional learning experience. I would like to attend this conference to better understand issues of equity in mathematics including bias, anxiety, and under-representation.
