Dr. Keith Kerschen and colleagues publish book chapter

Concordia University, Nebraska Associate Professor of Education and Director of Data and Assessment Dr. Keith Kerschen, along with colleagues Dr. Ryann Shelton, senior lecturer in the Ed.D. online in learning and organizational change at Baylor University, Dr. Brandy Crowley, associate professor of elementary education at Emporia State University and Dr. Sandi Cooper, professor of mathematics education and associate dean of undergraduate education, Department of Curriculum & Instruction at Baylor University, have published a chapter titled “Building a Collaborative Partnership to Support Early Learners in Mathematics During a Summer Experience at a Museum" in the recently-released book Mathematics Outreach: Examples and Impact from Across the Globe, edited by Mary Ann Huntley, Christine Suurtamm and Denisse R. Thompson and published by Emerald Publishing.

The book focuses on various innovative& mathematics outreach examples from across the globe and is organized in three sections of outreach: family and community involvement through mathematics outreach, mathematics outreach at museums and mathematics outreach in school and university settings.

The work featured in this chapter is connected to research Kerschen completed with his colleagues at Baylor University while& he was a doctoral candidate and graduate research assistant in the Curriculum & Instruction program. The chapter focuses on the Math for Early Learners Academy (MELA) developed at Baylor University. MELA is a 4-week long summer mathematics outreach program that supports Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students in early number sense.

“I was able to gain valuable experiences in research and collaboration that help me in my role at Concordia.”

“We focused on early number sense in MELA because of the important role that number sense plays in the development of more advanced mathematical skills,” explained Kerschen. “The chapter describes how we collaborated and worked together with mathematics teacher educators, elementary teachers, preservice teachers, museum professionals and local school districts to support struggling learners in early number sense at MELA. MELA was hosted at the Mayborn Museum in Waco, Texas, allowing us to provide a unique setting for museum-focused mathematical learning, along with outreach opportunities for the families of MELA participants as well. The chapter outlines some of the number sense activities and curriculum that was used with the MELA participants, along with related museum learning experiences.”

In this chapter, the group also shares findings from some of the research studies that they completed related to the pre-service teachers who taught at MELA as well as the mathematical achievement of the participants. Results from the research in MELA revealed that students who participated in MELA had statistically significant growth in key areas of early number sense. In addition, the group also found that MELA had a positive impact on the efficacy of the pre-service teachers who lead small group instruction during the academy, helping them gain valuable teaching experiences in mathematics prior to their clinical practice semester.

“I really enjoyed my work with MELA,” added Kerschen. “I was able to gain valuable experiences in research and collaboration that help me in my role at Concordia. I currently teach Math 201: Concepts of Mathematics, which is designed for early childhood and elementary mathematics teachers and starting next year, I will begin teaching EDUC 405: Math Methods for the Elementary and Middle Level Classrooms. In these courses, early number concepts will pla an important role in the curriculum and I am able to use the strategies, approaches and research gained from MELA to help support our preservice teachers here at Concordia.”

Concordia University, Nebraska’s education program prepares teachers to lead, teach and serve from a foundation of faith that asserts the value of every individual. Education majors will sharpen their God-given gifts as they learn to minister to future students, families, churches and communities.