Edith Prentice Mendez

Department of Mathematics

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA 94928

(707) 664-3914

edith.mendez@sonoma.edu

Education

Ph.D. in Curriculum and Teacher Education, Stanford University, 1998.

M.A. in Educational Administration, San Francisco State University, 1992.

California Single Subject Credential (Mathematics), College of Notre Dame, 1986.

Graduate work in Mathematics and Education, San Francisco State University, 1965 - 68.

A.B. with Mathematics major, Mount Holyoke College, 1964.

Areas of Interest

• Mathematics Education

• History of Mathematics

• Mathematical Discourse

• Teacher Education and Professional Development

Professional Experience

1998-2003, Assistant Professor, 2003-present Associate Professor, Mathematics Department, Sonoma State University. Duties have included teaching Mathematics 310, Mathematics 300, Mathematics 150, Mathematics 141, Mathematics 45; Education 444-Mathematics; advising and coordinating administrative tasks for Mathematics majors in the Secondary Teaching track and Single Subject-Mathematics credential candidates; supervising student teachers.

2000-present, Principal Investigator, Sonoma County Mathematics Professional Development Institutes. This collaborative between Sonoma State University and the Sonoma County Office of Education is part of the California Mathematics Professional Development Institutes, funded by a grant through the University of California Office of the President. Co-teacher of Algebra Institutes from 2000-present, and of Professional Development Institute for Bellevue School District 2003-2004.

2000-present, Co-Faculty Advisor of the North Bay Mathematics Project. Part of the California Subject Matter Projects, funded through a grant from the University of California Office of the President, the NBMP is also a collaboration between Sonoma State University and the Sonoma County Office of Education. Co-leader of Leadership Institute 2001-present.

2000-2001, A Faculty Advisor, Sonoma State University Collaborative Academic Preparation Initiative. This faculty-to-faculty alliance is funded by a grant from the California State University Chancellor's Office and links faculty with teachers in feeder high schools that have high numbers of students who fail the Entry Level Mathematics examination.

2000-2001, Vice President, California Mathematics Council-North. This elected position entailed serving as Program Chair for two annual conferences of over 325 speakers and 3000 attendees each, as well as serving on the Board of the California Mathematics Council, the state affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

1993 – 98, Teaching Fellow, Teaching Assistant, Section Leader, Research Assistant, Supervisor of Student Teachers, Stanford University.

1994 Master Teacher, Stanford Summer Teaching School. Mentored and collaborated with student teachers in developing curriculum for, and teaching, a class in historical mathematical problems (grades 7-12).

1986-93, Mathematics Teacher, Aragon High School, San Mateo, CA. Taught all levels of high school mathematics curriculum, was a Mentor Teacher for new teachers, a Cooperating Teacher for student teachers, and Senior Class Advisor.

1985-86, Intern Mathematics Teacher, Menlo-Atherton High School, Atherton, CA. Taught geometry and algebra.

1970 - 72, Instructor, Golden Gate University and University of San Francisco. Taught geometry in a pre-legal program for students of color.

1964 - 68, 1970 - 71, Instructor, Golden Gate University. Taught mathematics courses from college algebra through calculus.

1968-70, Mathematics Teacher, Belmont High School, Belmont, MA. Taught geometry.

Peer-Reviewed Papers and Publications

Sherin, M. G., Mendez, E. P., & Louis, D. A. (in press). "A Discipline Apart: The Challenges of Fostering a Community of Learners in a Mathematics Classroom." Journal of Curriculum Studies.

Mendez, E. P. (March 2001). "A History of Mathematical Dialogue in Texts and Classrooms." Mathematics Teacher 94(3)170-173.

Sherin, M. G., Louis, D., & Mendez, E. P. (November 2000). "Students' Building on Each Other's Mathematical Ideas" in Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School 6(3) 186-190.

Sherin, M. G., Mendez, E. P., & Louis, D. (2000). Talking about Math Talk. NCTM 2000 Yearbook Learning Mathematics for a New Century, Maurice J. Burke, Editor, Reston, VA: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Other Papers and Publications

Greenwald, S. J. & Mendez, E. P. (Spring 2003). "Hypatia, the First Known Woman Mathematician," The Centroid, Official Journal of the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics 29(1) 19-24.

Mendez, E. (Summer 2002)."Hypatia of Alexandria: Setting the Record Straight." Women & Mathematics Education Newsletter, Official Journal of Women and Mathematics Education.

Mendez, E. (March 2001). "Bringing Mathematics History into the Classroom." guest editorial in The California Mathematics Council ComMuniCator.

Mendez, E. P. (2001). "Hypatia of Alexandria." Science and Its Times: Understanding the Social Significance of Scientific Discovery. Neil Schlager, Editor, Detroit: Gale Research.

Mendez, E. P. "Hypatia" on web page of the Math/Science Network at http://www.eyhnet.org/morehypatia.html.

Mendez, E. P. (1998, July) Robust Mathematical Discussion. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Stanford University.

Mendez, E. P. (1998, April). The Teacher's Role in Robust Mathematical

Discussion. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Diego.

Mendez, E. P. (1997, March). Fostering a Community of Mathematics

Learners as Teachers. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago.

Mendez, E. P., & Sherin, M. G. (1997) The Case of David Louis: Part 1: Searching for FCL—From Participant Structures to Principles; Part 2: Implementing FCL—Balancing Discourse and Discipline. Technical Report Series: Volume 5B, pp. D1-D26, Fostering a Community of Teachers as Learners (Project funded by the Mellon Foundation), Stanford University and WestEd.

Mendez, E. P. Hypatia's Mathematics: A Review of Recent Studies. Manuscript in progress.

Mendez, E. P., Sherin, M. G., & Louis, D. A. (in preparation). "Multiple Perspectives on Teacher Learning in a Mathematical Discourse Community." To be submitted to Mathematical Learning and Thinking.

Professional Presentations

"Hypatia and her 3 C’s: Commentators, Critics, and Context." Presentation to be given at Northern California Section of the Mathematical Association of America annual meeting, February, 2004.

"Cryptic Cryptographic Activities." Workshop to be presented with Brigitte Lahme at the annual conference of the California Mathematics Council - North, Asilomar, CA, December, 2003.

"Hypatia of Alexandria: Stories and Mistories." Talk presented at Sacramento State University Mathematics Department Colloquium.

"Some x's and y's of Algebra." Workshop presented at North Bay Math Project Spring Mathematics Conference, Santa Rosa, CA, May, 2003.

"Mathematics Educators and Mathematicians Working Together." Invited speaker for panel discussion with Elizabeth Yanik, Janet Herrelko, Karen Dee Michalowicz, and Edith Prentice Mendez sponsored by Association for Women in Mathematics at National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, San Antonio, TX April, 2003.

"News of Hypatia: From Headline to Backpage." Talk presented to the International Study Group for the Relations of History and Pedagogy of Mathematics Americas Section, San Antonio, TX April, 2003.

"Mathematics Educators and Mathematicians Working Together." Invited speaker for panel discussion with Deborah Loewenberg Ball, Hyman Bass, Karen Dee Michalowicz, and Edith Prentice Mendez sponsored by Association for Women in Mathematics at Joint Mathematics Meetings, Baltimore, MD January, 2003.

"A Collaborative Approach to Mathematics Professional Development for Teachers." Paper by Ben Ford and Edith Prentice Mendez presented at Joint Mathematics Meetings, Baltimore, MD January, 2003.

"Math in the Dark Ages." Talk presented at M*A*T*H Colloquium, Sonoma State University, October, 2002.

"Medieval Math: What was Hot Back Then?" Talk presented at the annual conference of the California Mathematics Council - North, Asilomar, CA, December, 2002.

"Hypatia of Alexandria: Mathematics Educator" keynote address for Spring Mathematics Conference of North Bay Math Project and Mathematics Professional Development Institutes, Santa Rosa, May, 2002.

"Hypatia: Her Mathematics and Her Story" Colloquium, Mathematics and Computer Science Department, San José State University, San Jose, May, 2002.

"The History of Women in Mathematics Education: Women and Technology" invited address for Women and Mathematics Education at the Annual Meeting of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Las Vegas, NV, April 2002.

" Secondary Blended Programs" Co-leader with Larry Sowder, Face-to-Face CSU Mathematics Educators' Retreat, Asilomar, CA April, 2002.

"Historical Problem Solving" paper presented to the Mathematical Association of America at Mathfest 2001, Madison, WI August 2001.

"Medieval Mathematics" guest presentations for Judith Abbott's class on medieval history, Sonoma State University, May, 2001, May 2002, May 2003.

"Hypatia" invited talk presented to the International Study Group for the Relations between History and Pedagogy of Mathematics Annual Meeting within the Annual Meeting of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Orlando, FL April, 2001.

"What Math Do Preservice Teachers Need to Know?" invited presentation for National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics Annual Conference, Orlando, FL, April 2001.

"The New NCTM Standards" presented with Rick Marks at Student-Faculty Mathematics Seminar, Sonoma State University, May, 2000.

"Multiple Perspectives on the Development of a Mathematical Discourse Community" Session Organizer, Presenter with Miriam Gamoran Sherin and David Louis, and Discussion Leader at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Research Presession, Chicago, IL April, 2000.

"Developing Robust Mathematical Discussion" Session presented at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Annual Conference, Chicago, IL April, 2000.

"Sorting Out the Calendar" talk presented at the Sonoma County Mathematics Council, Santa Rosa, CA, February, 2000.

"Just in Time for the Millennium…or Are We?" Talk presented at M*A*T*H Colloquium, Sonoma State University, December, 1999 and at the California Mathematics Council, Community Colleges annual conference, Monterey, CA, December, 1999.

"All About Time — The Mathematics and The History." Talk presented at the annual conference of the California Mathematics Council - North, Asilomar, CA, December, 1999.

"Hypatia: Heretic? Martyr? Mathematician?" Talk presented at M*A*T*H Colloquium, Sonoma State University, March, 1999.

"Mathematical Discussion." Talk presented at Faculty/Student Mathematics Seminar, Sonoma State University, November, 1998.

"Hypatia a Heretic? Witch of Agnesi? Women Mathematicians." Presentation for the annual conference of the California Mathematics Council - North, Asilomar, CA, December, 1996.

"Imagine Infinity through History!" Presentation for the annual conference of the Council of Math/Science Educators of San Mateo County, March, 1996.

"Struggles Throughout the History of Mathematics." Presentation for the annual conference of the California Mathematics Council - North, Asilomar, CA, December, 1995.

"Use Mathematics History from Many Cultures in your Classroom." Presentation for the annual conference of the Council of Math/Science Educators of San Mateo County, March, 1995.

Awards and Grant Proposals

California Postsecondary Education Commission Improving Teacher Quality State Grants Program. Principal Investigator and Co-Director with Doreen Heath Lance of Sonoma County Office of Education, grant application for Mathematics Improvement through Lesson Study, August 2003. Not funded.

National Science Foundation Teacher Professional Continuum. Co-Principal Investigator with Ben Ford, Principal Investigator, and Doreen Heath Lance of Sonoma County Office of Education, Co-Principal Investigator, Sustaining Mathematics Improvement through lesson Study. Funding is pending.

University of California Office of the President grants for Sonoma County Mathematics Professional Development Institutes, 2000-2001, 2001-2004, Principal Investigator.

University of California Office of the President grant for North Bay Math Project, 2000-2001, 2001-2002, Co-Faculty Advisor.

Sonoma State University Faculty Travel Award, 2000, 2001, 2002.

School of Science and Technology Travel Grant, 2001, 2002.

Project NExT Fellowship, Mathematical Association of America, 1999-2000

Northwestern University Research Grant to M. G. Sherin and E. P. Mendez for "The Development of Multimedia Cases of Mathematics Teaching," May 1999

Faculty Diversity Development (FDDP) Grant, Sonoma State University, Fall 1999

Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Program (RSCAP) Grant, Sonoma State University, Spring 1999

Award to a Graduate Student for Excellence in Teaching, Stanford Teacher Education Program, 1998

Fellowship for Doctoral Studies, Stanford University School of Education, 1993-97

Distinguished Teaching Award, Aragon High School, 1990-91

Membership in American Mathematical Society, San Francisco State University Mathematics Department, 1968

National Science Foundation grant for independent study, Mount Holyoke College Mathematics Department, 1963-64

Service to the Profession

2003, November, Representative of California Mathematics Project at California Mathematics Summit, Palm Springs, CA.

2002-2003, Co-Organizer Mathematical Association of America Contributed Paper Session "Incorporating History of Mathematics in the Mathematics Classroom" for January, 2003 Joint Mathematics Meetings, Baltimore

2002-2004 Secretary, Women and Mathematics Education

2002, 2003 Editor, Registration and Program Brochures, for the annual conference of the California Mathematics Council – North

2002 Co-Leader, Session on Secondary Blended Programs, Face-to-Face CSU Mathematics Educators' Retreat, April, 2002

2002 Member, Algebra Working Group, California Mathematics Professional Development Institutes

2001, 2003, Proposal reviewer, American Educational Research Association Division C, Section 2: Mathematics and Special Interest Group: Research in Mathematics Education.

2001 Referee for Sonoma State University’s nominee for National Endowment for the Humanities 2002 Summer Stipend Program

2000-2001, Vice President, California Mathematics Council-North

2000-2001, Board Member, California Mathematics Council

Service to the University

2002-present, Chair, Task Force on Cultural Competency – Diversity in the Classroom and Curriculum

2002-present, Mathematics Department Liaison with Library

2001-present, Mathematics Education Advisor for Secondary Teaching Track majors

2002, March, Participant, Academic Planning Committee's symposium "Liberal Arts and the Residential Campus"

1999-present, Academic Senate representative from School of Science and Technology

1999-present, Member, Campus Climate Committee

1999-present Member, Mathematics Education Committee

1999-present, Thesis and examination committee member for Education and ITDS masters degree students

2000-present, Member, Mathematics Department Assessment Committee

2001-present, Member, Mathematics Department General Education Committee

2001-present, Member, Mathematics Department Long Range Planning Task Force

2001-2003, Consultant, Mathematics Department Tenure Track Faculty Hiring Committee

2000-2001, Member, Mathematics Department Curriculum Committee

2000-2003, Reader of graduates' names at Commencement

2001 Collaborator with Hutchins School of Liberal Studies in developing the mathematics course for a blended liberal studies/credential program

1999-2000 Member, Taskforce on Integrated Undergraduate Education Programs

1999 -2000 Co-Coordinator developmental mathematics program during transition and implementation of change from 3- to 2-semester plan

1999, 2000 Supervisor of mathematics and science student teachers in collaboration with the School of Education

1999 Chair, hiring committee for two-year part-time pool of faculty members for Mathematics Department.

1999 Developed brochure for new Mathematics faculty members.

1999 Assisted with development and presentation of Integrated Credential Program for Mathematics Single Subject.

Service to the Community

2003 Speaker, Expanding Your Horizons Conference "Crack This Code" workshop co-presented with Brigitte Lahme .

2002 Volunteer, Expanding Your Horizons Conference

2002 Consultant to Santa Rosa Press Democrat on calendrical palindromes

2000-present, Member, League of Women Voters of Sonoma County

2000-2001, Vice President and Program Chair, California Mathematics Council-North

2000-2001, Board Member, California Mathematics Council

2000, 2001, Volunteer, Festival on the Green

2000 Speaker, Sonoma County Mathematics Council

1999, 2000, Publicity Chair, Expanding Your Horizons Conference

1979-1997, School Board Member Millbrae Elementary School District. Board President; President, San Mateo County School Boards Association; Chair, Special Education Consortium Policy Board; Chair, County Committee on School District Organization; Delegate, California School Boards Association Delegate Assembly.

Professional Memberships

Mathematical Association of America

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

American Educational Research Association

Special Interest Group — Research in Mathematics Education

History of Mathematics Special Interest Group of the Mathematical Association of America

California Mathematics Council

Sonoma County Mathematics Council

Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators

American Women in Mathematics

Women and Mathematics Education

International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education

International Study Group on the History and Pedagogy of Mathematics

Phi Delta Kappa