University Represented at NJAMTE Conference

Two of our Mathematics Education PhD students, Christa Mawn and Frank Forte, as well as recent PhD graduate Dr. Victoria Bonaccorso and Mathematics faculty Dr. Steven Greenstein, all recently presented at the New Jersey Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (NJAMTE) annual conference on June 2 at The College of New Jersey. The conference was organized, in part, by NJAMTE president and MSU Mathematics Department faculty Dr. Nicole Panorkou.

Christa Mawn, who is a doctoral candidate and Manville School District STEAM Supervisor, presented a session on catalyzing curricular changes in the post-pandemic era. Christa’s session discussed the need and reasoning behind Manville High School’s change in Algebra II programming, the process of making the change, and anticipated results. Christa then invited and facilitated suggestions and critiques from the conference attendees.

Frank Forte, who is a doctoral candidate and faculty member at Raritan Valley Community College, served on a panel discussion about the state-wide teacher shortage issue. The panel also consisted of a faculty member from the County College of Morris (Joshua Frye), the Executive Director for the Center for Future Educators at The College of New Jersey (Jeanne DelColle), and the Superintendent of Hamilton Township School District (Scott Rocco). The panel discussed questions submitted by conference participants, including issues about increasing teacher incentives and updating teacher preparation programs.

Drs. Bonaccorso and Greenstein presented a session titled “Finding Common Ground: Preparing Math Educators and Special Educators.” In their session, Tory and Steven initiated critical conversations with the conference attendees about ideological differences between mathematics and special educators, as well as facilitated a discussion around potential solutions.

Congratulations to Christa, Frank, Dr. Bonaccorso, and Dr. Greenstein; thank you for representing Montclair State so well!