Senior Researcher
Program/Areas of Interest
- Development of children’s algebraic thinking in elementary grades
- Mathematical discourse in elementary grades
- Teacher professional development
Biography
Mrs. Angela Murphy Gardiner is a Senior Researcher at TERC. Prior to her research career, Angela was an elementary school educator.
Angela’s current project work combines her love of research and her passion for classroom teaching. She is currently a teacher-researcher on several LEAP (Learning Through an Early Algebra Progression) projects, investigating students understanding of early algebra. Her research explores elementary students’ mathematical thinking around the equal sign, variable, functional thinking, and generalizing and justifying. Along with understating students mathematical thinking, Angela is also interested in methods for delivering effective teacher professional development and understanding the relationship between characteristics of professional development and student outcomes.
