Instructor Bios

Vermont Mathematics Initiative

Building Capacity across Vermont for High-Quality Mathematics Instruction

Instructor Biosketches

Dr. George Ashline, Professor of Mathematics at Saint Michael’s College-Dr. Ashline has strong interests in both K-12 and undergraduate mathematics education. He is a participant in Project NexT (New Experiences in Teaching), a Mathematical Association of America program created for new or recent doctorates in the mathematical sciences that are interested in improving teaching and learning of undergraduate mathematics. In addition to his research publications he has co-written a number of articles concerning mathematics pedagogy. He has also served as a faculty consultant and grader for the Advanced Placement Calculus examination. He is currently a consulting mathematician and instructor for the Vermont Mathematics Partnership, which is an extension of the VMI to improve mathematics instruction throughout Vermont, strengthen the systems that prepare and support teachers and school leaders, and make significant contributions to research and resources available to educators nationwide.

Priscilla Bremser, Professor of Mathematics at Middlebury College

Joshua Bunker, VMI mentor and instructional assistant-

Joshua Bunker, a recent graduate of the VMI program and a sixth grade teacher at Rutland Intermediate School, has been a math leader in his school for the past few years. Two years ago, while in his second year of VMI, Josh started teaching courses for the VMI. Along with teaching VMI courses in the summer, Josh recently traveled to Little Rock, AK to teach VMI’s Algebra and Functions course. We are fortunate to have him with us as an instructor and as a mentor on a limited basis. This past year, Josh’s research in fraction left to some very positive results, reinforcing the need for changing the way math in instructed in this area. In addition to being a teacher leader, Josh started up a Math Counts club at his school this past year and his students placed second in the regional competition. This year he looks forward to working with those students in the seventh grade competition, as well as the new fifth and sixth grade recruits.

Constance Cannon, VMI mentor-Connie is a mathematics leader and educator who, for the past three

years, has worked primarily as a mathematics consultant for three Southern Vermont schools. The VMI is

fortunate to have Connie on a limited basis starting with school year 2006-07. Connie has worked in

Vermont since 1973, having taught several grade levels during her 30+ years of experience. Her leadership

experience includes a Teacher Leader position at the Dorset School that she held for many years as well as

independent consulting for the Vermont Mathematics Partnership. Connie has taught many math-related

professional development courses for teachers and has worked as a Mathematics Consultant for /Marilyn

Burns Education Associates/. In 2003 Connie earned a second Master’s degree from the University of

Vermont through the Vermont Mathematics Initiative. This is in addition to the Master’s degree Connie

holds from Boston University in the field of Education. Connie loves spending time at her camp in the

Adirondacks when she’s not working with teachers.

Mary Cox, Mathematics Graduate Student at University of Vermont-Mary Cox is retired from a career of three decades in the Coast Guard and as a practicing maritime attorney. She is now engaged in a second career in mathematics, which had been a long time hobby. Ms. Cox is currently a math lecturer at The University of Vermont, teaching calculus, linear algebra, and groups and rings among other topics. Her love of mathematics and natural gift for teaching combined with her life experiences allow her to relate in meaningful ways to adult learners making Mary an extraordinary asset to VMI.

Carol J. Eckels, Principal at Leicester Elementary School-Dr. Eckels is a veteran teacher who has

taught middle level, high school and college mathematics for twenty years. She has mentored gifted

elementary aged youngsters in mathematics and provided professional development to elementary

teachers in mathematics content. Dr. Eckels has served on several statewide committees and board that

examine, recommend and set education policy. Currently, Ms. Eckles holds a master's degree in

mathematics and a doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Vermont with a focus in

curriculum.

Elisabeth Gambler, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at Vermont Technical College Professor Gambler has over thirty years experience teaching mathematics at the high school and college levels. She recently retired after an outstanding career at Vermont Technical College (VTC). At VTC she developed the mathematics curricula for the degree in Architectural Engineering Technology as well as the developmental program and served as advisor to Phi Beta Kappa Honor society. Professor Gambler also taught statistics for IBM employees and was a faculty consultant and grader for the Advanced Placement Calculus Examination. She has given in-service presentations on teaching mathematics and has presented papers at professional meetings on the use of technology and interactive television in teaching mathematics. Since retiring from VTC, Professor Gambler has taken on program development responsibilities at the middle and secondary levels for the NSF-USDOE funded Vermont Mathematics Partnership grant. She currently teaches part-time at both Vermont Technical College and University.

Danielle Graves, VMI Statistics Graduate Assistant-Danielle joins us after teaching for three years at Richford High School in Northern Vermont. While at Richford, Danielle served as the Formative Assessment Project team leader for her school, was a member of the data driven decision making team and the BEST team which worked toward improving school climate and teacher advisories. She also found herself volunteering as an assistant cheer coach. Danielle graduated from SUNY Potsdam in December 2003 with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Elementary Education. While at Potsdam, Danielle spent time tutoring in the Math lab and volunteering in various K-12 classrooms. Prior to moving to Vermont, Danielle taught middle school math in North Carolina for a year. Before that, she taught fourth through tenth grade Saxon math in New York. Danielle is currently certified to teach K-12 math in Vermont.

William Jesdale, Co-Principal at Lincoln Elementary School-Bill is presently co-principal at the Lincoln Elementary School in Lincoln, Vermont. In prior years he has served as principal at all three educational levels – elementary, middle and high school. He has an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering and a graduate degree in science education. His teaching includes physics at the high school level and mathematics at the elementary through college levels. He has received several awards for distinguished teaching and community service.

Dr. Anthony Julianelle, Senior Lecturer of Mathematics at University of Vermont-Dr. Julianelle is currently serving as Instructor in the Dept. of Mathematics at the University of Vermont. He holds a doctorate in Mathematics from the University of Massachusetts. Before attending graduate school, he taught in the public schools in Hamden, Connecticut. Dr. Julianelle also taught mathematics at the secondary level with the Peace Corps in Botswana. He is a faculty consultant and grader for the Advanced Placement Calculus Examination. In addition he has edited several textbooks. Dr. Julianelle is a member of the school board of Underhill Central School as well as a member of the curriculum committee for the Chittenden East Supervisory Union. Dr. Julianelle has given enrichment presentations to secondary students and has served informally as a consultant for IBM.

Kiran MacCormick, Statistics Graduate Student at University of Vermont-Kiran graduated after just three years at Clarkson University, with ‘great distinction’ and University Honors in Mathematics. While at Clarkson, Kiran also serves as a teaching assistant in calculus, differential equations and statistics. Prior to entering Clarkson, Kiran had a distinguished career at Burlington (VT) High School, having received numerous awards, including awards as the top mathematics student, the top male scholar-athlete and the award for outstanding personal character and intellectual promise. Among his many impressive accomplishments, in middle school Kiran was state MathCounts champion and in high school he led his mathematics team to multiple league championships and received top individual honors. Kiran also captained the Scholars Bowl team that finished 4^th in the United States. His high school career was capped by receiving a National Merit Scholarship. Kiran has been a key member of the VMI staff since July 2001.

Elizabeth Mathai, Professor of Mathematics at Norwich University

Dr. Edwin L. Marsden, Professor of Mathematics at Norwich University-Shortly after the founding of the Vermont Mathematics Initiative, Dr. Marsden stepped down as the Chair of the Department of Mathematics at Norwich University in order to play a major role in the development of the VMI and devote more effort to K-12 mathematics education in VT. He has been awarded a Board of Fellows Faculty Development Prize for mathematics curriculum development based on computer graphing. Professor Marsden is a member of the Vermont Commission on Educator Quality and its subcommittee on professional development. He has served on the State of Vermont High School Mathematics Portfolio Committee, as consultant to the Elementary and Middle School Committee and as consultant to various committees and boards dealing with standards based mathematic and licensure of teachers of science, mathematics and technology. He has given numerous in-service courses to Vermont teachers and enrichment presentations in K-8 classrooms. In addition to his work with VMI, Dr. Marsden also leads mathematics course development for the Middle Level Component of the NSF-USDOE funded Vermont Mathematics Partnership grant.

Kathy Nolan, VMI mentor-Kathy Nolan is the district mathematics instructional specialist for the North Country Supervisory Union and is the principal of a small school within the district, E. Taylor Hatton School in Morgan, VT. Kathy is a former middle school mathematics educator having taught several grade levels in her 25+ year teacher career. As a National Board Certified Teacher, Kathy has focused much time and energy to the area of mathematics and is involved in many initiatives aimed at improved mathematics teaching and learning. Kathy teaches courses through the Northeast Kingdom School Development Center at Lyndon State College. Kathy was a member of the very first VMI cohort having graduated from the program in 2002.

Penny Stearns, VMI mentor-Penny Sterns is the district mathematics coach for the Burlington School District. Penny is a former classroom teacher who has taught grades K, 1, 3, 5 and 6 during her 20+ teaching career. Penny completed VMI in 2002 – a member of our first cohort! She is a certified Math Recovery teacher and has taught VMI courses in her district and elsewhere. In 2006-2007 Penny co-taught the six-credit VMI Phase II course to 20 Burlington School District teachers and is currently a member of our teaching team, teaching Mathematics as a Second Language to 100 teachings in the Lamoille School District. Additionally, Penny has trained many teachers in the use of the Ongoing Assessment Project (OGAP) fraction materials. Burlington is currently implementing the Bridges curriculum, for which Penny is a trainer, in all six elementary schools.

John Tapper, NYU Doctoral Candidate-John is completing a PhD in Teaching and Learning at New York University. His research includes teaching methods that support struggling math learners and the effects of poverty and race on mathematics learning. Before coming to New York, John was the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for Barre, Vermont. In the 1990s, he cofounded the nationally recognized Westminster Primary Program, an innovative nongraded public school in southern Vermont. John has provided professional development on topics ranging from mathematics learning to multiage teaching throughout the U.S., Eastern Europe, and Japan.

Dr. Julie M Theoret, Associate Professor of Mathematics at Johnson State College-Dr. Theoret has a strong interest in mathematics education at all levels. In addition to her teaching responsibilities at Johnson State College, she serves on the Education Council, a faculty committee that acts on issues concerning pre-service teacher education at the College. Dr. Theoret served as the coordinator for the Secondary Education Program at Lyndon State College before making the move to Johnson. Dr. Theoret received her undergraduate degree at the University of Vermont, earning awards as the outstanding mathematics major and for outstanding student leadership, and received her doctorate in mathematics at the University of Virginia, where she co-authored a handbook on teaching for the Department of Mathematics.

Sean Theoret-K-12 Mathematics Consultant at Franklin Northeast Supervisory Union-Sean's strong interest in mathematics education began as a High School Mathematics instructor in Milton, Vermont. He received his undergraduate degree in Mathematics from the University of Vermont, as well as his Masters of Education with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction. Sean continues to be a private tutor and, in his role as the Mathematics Consultant for the FNESU, he oversees the K-12 mathematics curriculum and teacher developlment in the area of mathematics.

Jean Ward, Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Professional Development for the Bennington-Rutland Supervisory Union- She earned a Masters of Education from UVM and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Education Leadership through the VMI program. Jean has twenty years experience as a classroom teacher in PreK-6. Jean has been recognized with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and the Stafford Award for Distinguished Service in Special Education. Jean has worked as a math/science teacher coach and previously as a VMI field mentor. She has a special interest in helping schools to establish programs and promote initiatives that are clear, consistent and practical.

Dr. James Wright, Associate Professor of Mathematics at Green Mountain College-Dr. Wright is Associate Professor of Mathematics at Green Mountain College, Vermont’s environmental liberal arts college. He received his Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Washington with a specialty in probability. Dr. Wright has an interest in environmental issues and has developed a generals education course on mathematical modeling of environmental issues. He writes a month magazine column in the Rutland Daily Herald where he introduces readers to interesting mathematical topics such as census and apportionment, instant runoff voting, graph theory and probability problems. For the past few summers, Dr. Wright has also conducted a popular summer mathematics camp for children in grades 2-6.