Mathematizing the World: Building Strong Connections with Students and Their Families/Communities to Learn Mathematics in and out of School
Dr. Julia Aguirre
January 28, 2025 (7:00-8:00 EST)
Description: Mathematics is a human activity that fosters meaning-making, empowers decision-making and helps advocate for equity and justice. Families and communities are key resources for powerful math learning and teaching. In this session we will learn about equity-based practices and math tasks that can help elementary students connect math to their lived experiences and take action to make positive change in their communities.
Julia Maria Aguirre is a Professor of Education at the University of Washington Tacoma. Her work focuses on critical equity studies in mathematics education, teacher education, culturally responsive mathematics pedagogy, and mathematical modeling. Dr. Aguirre is co-author of four books: The Impact of Identity in K-12 Mathematics: Rethinking Equity-Based Practices (2024); Cultivating Mathematical Hearts: Culturally Responsive Mathematics Teaching in Elementary Classrooms (2024); Transforming Mathematics Teacher Education: An Equity-based Approach (2019); and The Impact of Identity in K-8 Mathematics: Rethinking Equity-based Practices (2013). Current grant-funded project focuses on Advancing Equity and Strengthening Teaching with Elementary Mathematical Modeling (www.eqstemm.org). She has taught mathematics in formal and informal K-12 classroom settings. She is committed to working with educators to positively impact children’s math learning by reimagining their pedagogy to leverage student strengths and experiences; partner with families and communities; dismantle academic apartheid; and advocate for mathematics education that cultivates justice, joy, and civic engagement. She welcomes all to make learning mathematics more meaningful, humanizing and just.