MATHEMATICS EDUCATION

EdD in Mathematics Pedagogy

Interview with Graduate Student

Graduate: Diane Carluccio, Cohort 2

I first heard of the Doctoral Program at Math Day at Montclair State University. We were told that the proposed program would be designed for classroom teachers who wished to deepen their understanding of content knowledge and further develop their pedagogical skills. I had already decided to return to school to obtain a doctorate and this program seemed to be tailor-made to meet my needs. It was several years before the program began but it turned out to be worth the wait.

The Doctoral Faculty developed an exceptional program. In their commitment to the continued development of teachers, they created a challenging and nurturing environment for learning. Throughout my years in the program, so many faculty members shared with me their time and helped me reflect on my own learning and my professional practice. In particular, to say that the Doctoral Faculty from the Department of Mathematical Sciences helped me grow in leaps and bounds is truly an understatement. The most rewarding aspect of the doctoral program was the day-to-day interaction with them. They were leaders in their field and models of teaching excellence. They were totally accessible and sensitive to our academic and personal needs. I found them to be understanding and always willing to work with us to make the necessary changes to provide us with a quality education. In their own way, each professor helped me stretch and grow beyond what I thought was possible. I emerged from the program with a stronger content knowledge base and the skills necessary to serve as a steward of best practice in my profession.

Another rewarding aspect of the doctoral program was preparing and presenting my dissertation. The immersion into the current research, the planning for and implementation of the study, and the in-depth analysis of the data provided me with a better understanding of the teaching and learning of mathematics. It also helped strengthen my conviction that all children can learn mathematics given the time, guidance and proper resources.

Since receiving my doctorate I have retired from my position as a K-12 Mathematics Supervisor in a New Jersey school district. I have however pursued a second career as a Mathematics Consultant. I am presently working part time for the Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education at Stevens Institute of Technology. My duties include the professional development of mathematics teachers at the middle school level with an emphasis placed on the implementation of the use of technology to teach mathematics. I am also working independently, preparing and presenting workshops to assist mathematics teachers in the understanding and implementation of various instructional strategies. Finally, during the spring semester I taught a graduate class as an adjunct faculty member for Montclair State University.