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Melissa Boston, Ed.D.Assistant Professor G14 Canevin Hall |
Courses Taught
Numeracy Content Knowledge
Numeracy Pedagogy
Teaching Secondary Mathematics
Teaching Middle School Mathematics
Education
Ed.D. Mathematics Education
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
M.A. Mathematics
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
B.S. Mathematics / Secondary Education
Grove City College, Grove City, PA
Honors/Awards
2008 Outstanding Dissertation Award, Association of Teacher Educators
2007 Presidential Scholar Award, Duquesne University
Why should a prospective student choose Duquesne University?
While many universities in the area have quality secondary education programs, what makes Duquesne’s program unique (in my opinion) is the perception in the Pittsburgh region that Duquesne students are equipped not only with knowledge of content and effective pedagogy, but also with a sense of commitment to students and service to the community. We receive consistent high praise for the level of responsibility and commitment demonstrated by our student teachers. Because of our reputation for service, we also receive numerous requests from local schools for tutors and other forms of assistance. Secondary mathematics education students at Duquesne have tutored in after-school programs, in programs that support community college students, and at local elementary, middle, and charter schools throughout the Pittsburgh region. We have helped organize “Parent Night” at a local middle school and have created mathematics activity boxes that were sent to homeless shelters through the Salvation Army.
Research Interests
Creating professional development experiences for teachers of mathematics using a design research approach.
Analyzing changes in teachers’ learning and instructional practices following their participation in professional development experiences.
Developing statistically sound classroom observation instruments.
Current Projects
Creating and analyzing a seminar for school leaders entitled “Becoming Effective Leaders in Mathematics,” in collaboration with Vanderbilt University.
Developing rater-training materials, professional development materials, and providing rater-training for the “Instructional Quality Assessment Mathematics Toolkit,” a classroom observation instrument that identifies high-quality mathematics instruction.
Creating a professional development course for K-8 mathematics teachers in the Pittsburgh region, in collaboration with Carnegie Learning, Inc.
Professional Affiliations
American Educational Research Association
Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Pennsylvania Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators
Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Recent Publications
Boston, M. D. & Smith, M. S. (2009). Transforming secondary mathematics teaching: Increasing the cognitive demands of instructional tasks used in teachers’ classrooms. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 40(2), 119-156.
Matsumura, L. C., Garnier, H. Slater, S. C., & Boston, M. (2008). Toward measuring instructional interactions ‘at-scale.’ Educational Assessment, 13(4), 267-300.
Hughes, E.A., Smith, M.S., Boston, M.D., & Hogel, M. (2008). Case stories: Supporting teacher reflection and collaboration on the implementation of cognitively challenging mathematical tasks. In F. Arbaugh & P. M. Taylor (Eds.), Inquiry into Mathematics Teacher Education. Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE) Monograph Series, Volume 5. AMTE: Reston, VA.
Recent Speaking Engagements
Boston, M. D. (2009). Assessing mathematics teachers’ instructional practices. Paper presented at the Research Pre-session of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Annual Meeting (2009). Washington, D.C.
Boston, M. D., & Smith, M. S. (2009). Are mathematics teachers' instructional improvements sustained over time? Paper presented at the Research Pre-session of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Annual Meeting (2009). Washington, D.C.
Boston. M. D. (2009). Tasks, talk, and teachers’ expectations: Using a research tool to assess (and improve) the quality of mathematics instruction. Presentation at the annual meeting of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators, Orlando, FL.
Boston, M.D. (2009). Using the TI-73 to “rethink” middle school mathematics and social justice. Presentation at the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Pittsburgh, PA.
Boston, M.D. (2008). Linking professional development to changes in secondary mathematics teachers’ knowledge and instructional practices. Paper presentation at the annual meeting of the American Education Research Association, New York, NY.
Smith, M.S., & Boston, M.D. (2008). Examining the Instructional Practices of Mathematics Teachers Over Time: Are Instructional Improvements Sustained? Paper presentation at the annual meeting of the American Education Research Association, New York, NY.
Boston, M.D. (2008). Using classroom artifacts as evidence of quality instruction in mathematics. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Association of American Colleges of Teacher Education, New Orleans.
Recent Professional Experience & Service
2007-present, Advisor, Future Teachers of Mathematics (Duquesne Student Organization)
May 2009, Grant Review Panel, National Science Foundation Discover research K-12 Panel
2009, Reviewer, Journal of Research in Mathematics Education, American Educational Research Association (Division K, L, and RME-SIG), National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Research Pre-Session
2008-2009, Chair, Student Explorations in Mathematics Committee, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
2007-2009, Secretary, Pennsylvania Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators
