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June 3, 2015
Erica N. Walker named 2015 AWM-MAA Falconer Lecturer The Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) and the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) are pleased to announce that Erica N. Walker will deliver the Etta Z. Falconer Lecture at MathFest 2015. Dr. Walker is an Associate Professor of Mathematics Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Walker earned her B.S in Mathematics from the BirminghamSouthern College, M.Ed. in Mathematics Education from Wake Forest University and her Ed.D. in Administration, Planning and Social Policy from Harvard University. A former public high school mathematics teacher from Atlanta, Georgia, Walker earned her doctorate in education from Harvard University. Her research focuses on social and cultural factors as well as educational policies and practices that facilitate mathematics engagement, learning, and performance, especially for underserved students. In her letter of support, the nominator of Walker for the Falconer Lecture writes: “Her research areas and her demonstrated commitment to improving mathematics education among underrepresented groups and in urban settings indicate interests that overlap with those that undergirded the lifelong work of Dr. Etta Falconer.”
Since earning her doctorate, Walker has authored or co-authored more than twenty-five articles and book chapters. Her work has been published in journals such as the American Education Research Journal, Educational Leadership, and The Urban Review. Walker is also the author of two books: Building Mathematics Learning Communities: Improving Outcomes in Urban High Schools (published by Teachers College Press in 2012) and Beyond Banneker: Black Mathematicians and the Paths to Excellence (published by SUNY Press in 2014). In her service to the profession and the community Walker collaborates with teachers, schools, districts, and organizations to promote mathematics excellence and equity for young people. She is widely known as a speaker. Since 2001, the year of her doctoral degree, she has been invited to give more than fifty presentations at conferences, special gatherings and universities all across the country. Walker’s lecture at MathFest is entitled “ ‘A Multiplicity All At Once’: Mathematics for Everyone, Everywhere.” What does it mean to learn mathematics? What does it mean to say that some people are “math people”? In her talk, she will draw upon 20 years of research and teaching to describe multiple contexts for mathematics learning and socialization across the lifespan.
MathFest 2015 will be held August 5 – 8 in Washington, DC. The Falconer lectures were established in memory of Etta Z. Falconer (1933–2002). Her many years of service in promoting mathematics at Spelman College and efforts to enhance the movement of minorities and women into scientific careers through many forums in the mathematics and science communities were extraordinary. Falconer lecturers are women who have made distinguished contributions to the mathematical sciences or mathematics education. Previous recipients of this honor include Marie Vitulli, Pat Kenschaft, Karen King, Dawn Lott, Ami Radunskaya, Kate Okikiolu, Rebecca Goldin, Katherine St. John and Trachette Jackson.
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