Joanna Masingila
Encyclopedia
Joanna O. Masingila is a professor of mathematics
and mathematics education
at Syracuse University
, where she is the coordinator of the mathematics education program. Her research interests lie in out-of-school
mathematics practice and teacher
learning
.
and lived there until the age of 10 when her family moved to Harper, Kansas
. She graduated as valedictorian
from Chaparral High School in 1978. Masingila earned an associate of arts degree in mathematics from Hesston College
in 1980 and a bachelor of arts in mathematics from Goshen College
in 1982. She taught high school mathematics at Fairfield Jr./Sr. High School near Goshen, Indiana from 1982-1984, and then taught at Bishop Chatard High School
in Indianapolis, Indiana from 1984-1988. Masingila earned a masters degree in mathematics education from Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis in 1987. She entered a doctoral program in mathematics education at Indiana University Bloomington
in 1988 and completed her Ph.D. in 1992, under the direction of Frank K. Lester.
, as well as other projects for professional development activities with area secondary mathematics teachers. Masingila has been active in research, as well as curriculum development. She and her co-authors, Frank Lester and Anne Raymond, have written a set of books for mathematics content courses for pre-service elementary teachers.
in Nairobi
, Kenya
in 1998 and continues to work with colleagues there on research projects. The Schools of Education at Kenyatta University
and Syracuse University
were awarded a USAID
-funded grant through the Africa-U.S. Higher Education Initiative in April 2011.
Masingila was named a Laura J. and L. Douglass Meredith Professor for Excellence in Teaching by Syracuse University in 2003, and was awarded an Unsung Heroes Award at Syracuse University's 2005 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Dinner for her work with a collaborative project in Kamanzi, Kangundo District
, Kenya
. In 2006, she was awarded an Excellence in Graduate Education Faculty Recognition Award by the Graduate School at Syracuse University.
Masingila has been married since August 15, 1981 to her husband, Adamson Masingila, who is from Kakamega
, Western Province, Kenya
; they have two children.
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
and mathematics education
Mathematics education
In contemporary education, mathematics education is the practice of teaching and learning mathematics, along with the associated scholarly research....
at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
, where she is the coordinator of the mathematics education program. Her research interests lie in out-of-school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
mathematics practice and teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
learning
Learning
Learning is acquiring new or modifying existing knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, or preferences and may involve synthesizing different types of information. The ability to learn is possessed by humans, animals and some machines. Progress over time tends to follow learning curves.Human learning...
.
Education
Masingila was born in Lebanon, OregonLebanon, Oregon
Lebanon is a city in Linn County, Oregon, United States. Lebanon is located in northwest Oregon, southeast of Salem. The population was 12,950 at the 2000 census and the 2008 census data shows the population at 15,397.-Geography:...
and lived there until the age of 10 when her family moved to Harper, Kansas
Harper, Kansas
Harper is a city in Harper County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,473.-Geography:Harper is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,567...
. She graduated as valedictorian
Valedictorian
Valedictorian is an academic title conferred upon the student who delivers the closing or farewell statement at a graduation ceremony. Usually, the valedictorian is the highest ranked student among those graduating from an educational institution...
from Chaparral High School in 1978. Masingila earned an associate of arts degree in mathematics from Hesston College
Hesston College
Hesston College, a two-year college founded in 1909, is located in Hesston, Kansas, United States, north of Wichita. The college has an enrollment of about 450 students who typically come from about 30 states and 30 other countries...
in 1980 and a bachelor of arts in mathematics from Goshen College
Goshen College
Goshen College, is a private Mennonite liberal arts college in Goshen, Indiana, USA with an enrollment of around 1,000 students. The college is accredited by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities...
in 1982. She taught high school mathematics at Fairfield Jr./Sr. High School near Goshen, Indiana from 1982-1984, and then taught at Bishop Chatard High School
Bishop Chatard High School
Bishop Chatard High School is a Catholic co-educational preparatory high school located in the Broad Ripple district of Indianapolis, Indiana in the United States...
in Indianapolis, Indiana from 1984-1988. Masingila earned a masters degree in mathematics education from Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis in 1987. She entered a doctoral program in mathematics education at Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington is a public research university located in Bloomington, Indiana, in the United States. IU Bloomington is the flagship campus of the Indiana University system. Being the flagship campus, IU Bloomington is often referred to simply as IU or Indiana...
in 1988 and completed her Ph.D. in 1992, under the direction of Frank K. Lester.
Career
Masingila began her academic career at Syracuse University in 1992 where she continues to teach undergraduate mathematics courses, courses in the grades 7-12 mathematics preparation program, and graduate courses in mathematics education. She has become widely influential in mathematics education. She and her colleague, Helen Doerr, have had numerous research projects funded by the National Science FoundationNational Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation is a United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health...
, as well as other projects for professional development activities with area secondary mathematics teachers. Masingila has been active in research, as well as curriculum development. She and her co-authors, Frank Lester and Anne Raymond, have written a set of books for mathematics content courses for pre-service elementary teachers.
Accomplishments
Masingila was a Fulbright Scholar to Kenyatta UniversityKenyatta University
Kenyatta University, located in Nairobi, Kenya is the second largest public university in the country . The University is located in Kahawa, about from Nairobi's city centre, along the Nairobi-Thika road.- History :...
in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
in 1998 and continues to work with colleagues there on research projects. The Schools of Education at Kenyatta University
Kenyatta University
Kenyatta University, located in Nairobi, Kenya is the second largest public university in the country . The University is located in Kahawa, about from Nairobi's city centre, along the Nairobi-Thika road.- History :...
and Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
were awarded a USAID
United States Agency for International Development
The United States Agency for International Development is the United States federal government agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. President John F. Kennedy created USAID in 1961 by executive order to implement development assistance programs in the areas...
-funded grant through the Africa-U.S. Higher Education Initiative in April 2011.
Masingila was named a Laura J. and L. Douglass Meredith Professor for Excellence in Teaching by Syracuse University in 2003, and was awarded an Unsung Heroes Award at Syracuse University's 2005 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Dinner for her work with a collaborative project in Kamanzi, Kangundo District
Kangundo District
Kangundo District is an administrative district in the Eastern Provinceof Kenya.The local climate is semi arid. The terrain is hilly, the district has an altitude from 1000 to 1600 metres above sea level...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. In 2006, she was awarded an Excellence in Graduate Education Faculty Recognition Award by the Graduate School at Syracuse University.
Masingila has been married since August 15, 1981 to her husband, Adamson Masingila, who is from Kakamega
Kakamega
Kakamega is a town in western Kenya lying about 30 km north of the Equator. It is the headquarters of . The town has a population of 73,607 ....
, Western Province, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
; they have two children.