ATLANTA – Mercer University College of Education faculty member Dr. Susan Cannon was recently selected to the Association of Mathematical Teacher Educators (AMTE) Service, Teaching and Research (STaR) Program.
The STaR Program is an early career induction program for faculty in mathematics education with tenure track appointments at higher education institutions. The program is designed to address common challenges related to developing leadership and service skills, teaching mathematics content and methods courses designed for prospective and practicing K-12 teachers as well as graduate courses in mathematics education, and establishing a research agenda.
Senior and mid-career mathematics education faculty organize and facilitate STaR events, serving as mentors to fellows as they participate in a summer institute, academic year online networking and a follow-up session in conjunction with the annual AMTE conference.
To date, 375 early career mathematics educators working at more than 200 institutions have completed the program as STaR Fellows.
“I am pleased to learn of Dr. Cannon’s selection for the STaR Program. She is a superb educator and is most deserving of this honor,” said Dr. Thomas R. Koballa Jr., dean of the College of Education. “Dr. Cannon and Mercer will benefit tremendously as a result of her participation in this program.”
Dr. Cannon joined Mercer’s faculty in July 2019 as assistant professor of elementary and middle grades education following 13 years of experience as a science and mathematics teacher in Metro Atlanta schools.
Her teaching includes graduate and undergraduate mathematics methods and endorsement courses for elementary and middle grades in-service and preservice teachers, while her research makes connections across the boundaries of mathematics and statistics education, qualitative inquiry, and teacher education to pursue more just and equitable practices.
She is also involved with Mercer’s newly created STEM Education Innovation Lab, which examines methods for advancing STEM education through innovations in practice and policy to improve educational outcomes and engagement for all people, implements educational programs and disseminates information concerning research-based best practices.
“I am looking forward to building relationships and research partnerships with mathematics teacher educators from across the country through the STaR program,” said Dr. Cannon.
Dr. Cannon plans to use the time and resources provided through the fellowship to write up the results of her Provost Seed Grant-funded study in which she and postdoctoral fellow Dr. Jami Friedrich are working with graduates of Mercer’s K5 Mathematics Endorsement Program to support the University’s preservice teachers in building equitable mathematics communities in their classrooms.
Dr. Cannon is an active member of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the International Congress for Qualitative Inquiry. She serves on the mentoring committee for the Qualitative Research Special Interest Group of the American Educational Research Association. In addition, she is the editor of the “Field Disruptions and Field Connections” section of the Journal of Urban Mathematics Education.
She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Virginia, Master of Education from Mercer and Ph.D. from Georgia State University.
AMTE is the largest professional organization devoted to the improvement of mathematics teacher education, including more than 1,000 members supporting the preservice education and professional development of preK-16 teachers of mathematics. Members include professors, researchers, teacher-leaders, school mathematics coordinators, policy experts, graduate students and others.
About the College of Education
Mercer University’s Tift College of Education – with campuses in Macon, Atlanta and the University’s two regional academic centers – prepares more professional educators than any other private institution in Georgia. Named for the former women’s college that merged with Mercer in 1986, the College of Education offers baccalaureate and graduate degrees, and is guided by the conceptual framework of the “Transforming Educator,” which supports those who aspire to grow professionally throughout their careers, while also seeking to transform the lives of students. For more information, visit education.mercer.edu.
