Candidates for President

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Courtney LaRoche

 

 

 

 

 

Current Position

Math Resource Teacher K-12
Wayzata Public Schools

Education

University of St. Catherine – Masters of Education
University of Pittsburgh, Semester at Sea
University of Minnesota – Bachelor of Arts in Architecture

Goals as MCTM Officer

MCTM has been an amazing part of my journey in becoming a lover of mathematics!  The opportunity to collaborate and learn with teachers from all over the state and country has been a gift that keeps on giving! High quality professional learning opportunities provided by MCTM have supported my growth as an educator and leader in math education.  As president, my goal is to continue the work of the board in connecting teachers throughout the state in relevant and innovative ways that promote equity and effective practices in teaching and learning mathematics.  MCTM is defined by the culture and community of its members.  It would be an honor to work to grow and strengthen this amazing community in the role of MCTM president.

Professional Affiliations

  • Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics
  • National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Education Minnesota
  • Education Minnesota
  • Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
  • National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NCSM)

Involvement in MCTM, NCTM and Mathematics Education

  • K-12 Math Resource Teacher, Wayzata Public Schools (2013 – present)
  • Charles A Dana Center International Facilitation Fellow (2016, 2017)
  • Minnesota Math Leaders Member, NCSM Affiliate (2011 – present)
  • MCTM Vice President of Middle School (2013 – 2016)
  • NCTM Affiliate Leaders Conference Attendee (2014)
  • High School Math and Science Instructional Coach (2011 – 2013)
  • SciMath MN Frameworks Writer Grade 8 (2010 – 2011)
  • MCTM Board of Directors – Region 6 Director (2010 – 2013)
  • 8th grade Math Teacher, Wayzata Public Schools (2001 – 2011)
  • Presenter and Presider at MCTM conferences (2001 – present)

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Ryota Matsuura

 

 

 

 

 

Current Position

Associate Professor of Mathematics and Director of Mathematics Education, St. Olaf College
North American Director, Budapest Semesters in Mathematics Education

Education

Ph.D., Mathematics, Boston University, 2008
M.A.T., Mathematics Education, Boston University, 2000
S.B., Mathematics with Computer Science, MIT, 1997

Goals as MCTM Officer 

Every time I bring my pre-service teachers to the MCTM Spring Conference, their eyes widen when they see the collaborative energy and commitment of the MCTM community. As an MCTM Officer (and as a continued co-chair of the MCTM CONNECT Committee), I plan to further increase our efforts in recruiting new and beginning teachers and help them remain connected to the MCTM community.

I also want to continue to grow the MCTM community so that more teachers benefit from the energy, commitment, and passion of our teachers and teacher educators. On a related issue, I hope to increase communication amongst the MCTM members in myriad ways, particularly through online channels, so that we can all benefit from the collective knowledge of our community.

Professional Affiliations

  • Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics
  • National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
  • Mathematical Association of America

Involvement in MCTM and Mathematics Education

I have been an MCTM member since 2010, when I came to St. Olaf College to direct the Mathematics Education Program. I have presented at the MCTM Spring Conference each year and have brought pre-service teachers from St. Olaf. My talks typically center on the “Experience First” pedagogy, in which students learn and make sense of mathematics through their own doing of mathematics.

For the past three years, I have served on the MCTM Board as Vice President for Higher Education. On the Board, I have served on the Professional Practice Committee and the Executive Committee. Since 2010, I have been a member (and a co-chair since 2013) of the MCTM CONNECT Committee that provides outreach and support to our new and beginning teachers.

I am a former high school teacher in the Greater Boston area. After completing my Ph.D. in number theory at Boston University, I held a post-doctoral position in mathematics education at the BU School of Education, focusing on teacher preparation and mathematics education research. I have served as the director of PROMYS for Teachers, a mathematics content-based professional development program at Boston University; and I am now the North American Director of Budapest Semesters in Mathematics Education, a study abroad program for pre-service teachers that emphasizes the problem-solving approach to teaching and learning. I have worked on various curriculum projects for teachers, including curricula for the Institute for Advanced Study/Park City Mathematics Institute’s Teacher Leadership Program (formerly the Secondary School Teacher Program). I am also a co-author of an NSF-funded high school curriculum, CME Project. I am currently Principal Investigator for an NSF-funded research project that investigates the relationships between teachers’ mathematical habits of mind, their use of such habits in teaching practice, and student achievement.

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