This study draws upon critical bifocality (Chen & Horn, 2022) and intersectional frameworks (Collins, 2019; Crenshaw, 1989) to detail critical consciousness development over time in justice-oriented elementary mathematics educators. Specifically, a Critical Participatory Inquiry (CPI) approach facilitated collective theorizing amongst myself…

With the changes in Common Core State Standards, it was essential to explore how elementary pre-service teachers' sense of fractions is developing and their thoughts about how to teach fractions. A gap in practice exists because it is unknown how pre-service elementary teachers, after student-teaching, perceive their level of in-practice knowledge…

This multiple case study explores how two elementary mathematics teachers made themselves and their students comfortable with the teacher delegating authority to students while also positioning them with agency. I conducted three Video-Stimulated Recall (VSR) interviews and pre- and post-semi-structured interviews with each teacher to understand…

The primary objective of this study was to systematically review the available research collected thus far on the effectiveness of math conversations in improving the mathematical proficiency of elementary students. Ninety studies were analyzed to determine what effect math conversations had on the number sense, conceptual understanding, and…

Learning to teach mathematics content courses designed for prospective elementary teachers (PTs) is challenging. Mathematics content instructors must be prepared to not only teach mathematics content, but engage PTs in understanding children's mathematical thinking strategies, learning trajectories, and misconceptions (Carpenter et al., 1996;…

This study examined different outcomes for teachers and students dependent upon school leadership's approach to mathematics at their campus sites. Data from grades 3-5 teachers and students were collected from two adjacent school districts in semi-rural communities in the western United States. Nine schools were selected for participation…

The research is clear; the formative assessment process positively impacts student achievement. However, it is a complex process which is often implemented unsuccessfully in classrooms. Teachers lack a true understanding of how to use formative assessments techniques to make instructional adjustments in a continuous and ongoing manner through the…

This quantitative correlational study examined the relationship between the overall and sub-component scores (operations and algebraic thinking, measurement and data, and geometry) of the i-Ready and TNReady assessments for fourth-grade students in a Title 1 elementary school in Middle Tennessee. The study included 109 students with complete data…

The problem addressed in this qualitative single case study is low mathematical achievement levels among students in grades K-4 in rural Vermont schools, based on district-wide and school-based progress monitoring assessments and Vermont's Smarter Balanced Assessment scores. The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore the…

In the U.S. the fifth-grade mathematics curriculum is largely devoted to building fraction skills, providing an essential foundation for future success in mathematics (National Mathematics Advisory Panel, 2008). Unfortunately, students in the U.S. struggle with fraction proficiency (National Assessment of Educational Progress, 2022; Organisation…

There are few descriptions of what teachers do to facilitate discussions that support students' development of mathematical agency. Likewise, little is known about how elementary students conceptualize their own agency. This study explored how teachers' facilitation of mathematical discussions potentially fostered students' mathematical agency.…

Number Talks, created in the early 1990s by Ruth Parker and Kathy Richardson, have gained popularity in the mathematics education community over the past decade with the publication of the book series "Number Talks" (Parrish, 2010, 2014), and especially since the publication of "Making Number Talks Matter" (Humphreys &…

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological research study was to investigate the factors that influence mathematical instruction of upper elementary teachers in school districts within Southern California. More specifically, this research study examined teaching strategies of upper elementary teachers' experiences and perceptions regarding…

This study addressed the challenge of connecting elementary teacher candidates' course work and fieldwork in order to foster a cohesive experience in learning to teach mathematics. In this study, a Mediated Field Experience was designed for five elementary teacher candidates in their internship setting. The study utilized qualitative methods to…

This dissertation explores the mathematics identities of early elementary school students. Throughout school, many students come to believe that mathematics is not for them or is not a part of who they are or want to be. Previous research has revealed mechanisms that lead to negative relationships with mathematics for middle grade students and…