Mathematics, Science, and Instructional Technology

On April 29, 2015 the ECU Advising Collaborative presented Dr. Ron Preston the2014-2015 Faculty Advisor of the Year award.

An excerpt from his nomination stated, “Dr. Preston is not only a phenomenal instructor, he is also a phenomenal Faculty Advisor.  He takes his role as an Advisor seriously and understands its pivotal role in students’ success.  He has a caring, helpful attitude towards students, staff, and other faculty members.  Dr. Preston is always willing to help the Advisors in the Academic Success Center, is prompt in responding to questions, and respects the advising profession.  He is a joy to work with and truly deserving of this award.”

As Dr. Susan Ganter, Chair of the MSITE Department states, “I am so pleased that he is being recognized across the university as an AWESOME advocate for our students. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award!!”

Great job, Ron!

On Thursday, April 23, 2015, the Gamma Student Chapter of NCCTM hosted members of the High Functioning Autism Program from CM Eppes Middle School. Macayla Cayton and Nicholas Kruchten, two seventh grade students participating in the HFA program at Eppes, presented information about autism and the challenges faced by individuals on the autism spectrum to a crowd of 70 attendees from a variety of program areas. Ms. Cole, Mrs. Brown, and Ms. Harrell, teachers in the HFA program, attended the presentation with Macayla and Nicholas.

After the presentation, attendees split into three smaller groups and had the opportunity to participate in five stations designed to help others experience how individuals on the autism spectrum process sensory input differently than others. These stations included Visual Perception, Visual/Coordination Perception, Auditory Processing, Fine Motor Skills Center, and Attention and Sensory. Attendees that were not participating in stations engaged in an informal question and answer session with a 6^th grade science teacher from CM Eppes and a MATE Senior 2 intern from JH Rose High School. Each of these individuals teaches students that are part of the HFA programs at their respective schools. Both Macayla’s and Nicholas’ mothers fielded questions from the group, as well as Ms. Cole.

Everyone gathered together to end the meeting on this final thought from Macayla, “We are not autistic students, we are students with autism. Think about it. Thank you for coming tonight!”

Our sincere thanks goes out to the following individuals for making this meeting so successful:
HFA Students: Macayla Cayton, Nicholas Kruchten
HFA Staff: Anita Cole, Kathy Brown, Amanda Harrell
Regular Education Teachers: Jennifer Stalls, Aaron Rountree
ECU Faculty: Pat Peoples

On Sunday, April 19, 2015, mathematics (MATH) and mathematics education (MATE) students and faculty gathered at the Blount Sports Complex. The rain held off just long enough so that the temperate weather was perfect for a game of kickball. The undergraduate mathematics education students paired with Dr. Cayton and Dr. Ganter, while the math/math education graduate students sided with Dr. Adu-Gyamfi, Dr. Njinasoa Randriampiry, and Dr. Ali Al-sharadqah. After working up an appetite, attendees gathered in the shade to enjoy snacks and recap exciting moments from the game before the rain arrived.

This wonderful event marked the end of a phenomenal year of continued growth for the Gamma Chapter and continued a long-standing tradition of building community among students and faculty. We would like to thank everyone that attended and helped make the event a success. Enjoy your summer and look for more great events sponsored by the Gamma Student Chapter in Fall 2015!!

ECU was well-represented at the NCCTM Eastern Region Conference in Kenansville on Saturday, February 14, 2014. Love was certainly in the air as president-elect, Dr. Ron Preston delivered the keynote address.  It continued as Eastern Region President, Dr.  Katie Schwartz led the event – both in terms of putting the conference together and facilitating on Saturday. Christie Wuebbles (alum) made many of the facility arrangements with James Sprunt Community College, where the conference was held. Many of MSITE’s grad students presented, most under the direction of Dr. Maureen Grady as part of their assessment work in MATE 6200:
James Grossman
Edie Smith
Sarah Patterson
Kristina Simpson
Kristina Godbolt
Victoria Jeffries
Robin Clapper
Robin Foster

Drs. Adu-Gyamfi, Grady, Preston, Schwartz, Sinicrope, and Thompson were in attendance along with MATE graduate students Gina Albright and Brooke Hill.