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  • Eric W. Hart

    Eric W. Hart, Candidate for Director, At-Large

    Position: Professor (mathematics), Grand View University, Des Moines, Iowa (2014–).

    Education: B.S. (mathematics), Boise State University; M.A. (mathematics), University of Washington; Ph.D. (mathematics education), University of Iowa.

    Previous Experience: Professor, American University in Dubai (2010–14); educational consultant (1998–present); associate professor, Maharishi University of Management and University of Iowa (1986–2010); senior research associate, Western Michigan University (1995–2001); assistant professor, Kirkwood Community College (Iowa) and Seattle Central Community College (Washington) (1980–92).

    Memberships: NCTM, Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

    Activities in NCTM: Director, Illuminations (1999–2003); chair, Educational Materials Committee (1997–2000); additional writer, Principles and Standards for School Mathematics(1998–1999); member: Navigations Steering Committee (1999–2002); 1996 Yearbook Editorial Panel (1993–95); Mathematics Teacher Editorial Panel (1989–90); reviewer, journals, books, and Standards documents (1989–2012).

    Other Activities: 2016 International Congress on Mathematical Education: co-chair, Topic Study Group (2013–16); Amplify (contractor for Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium): developer, online formative assessment materials (2013); Iowa Department of Education: co-chair, standards writing group (2005–07); consultant, workshop leader, and materials developer (2003–13); director or co-director, multiple government-funded teacher professional development projects (1988–2010).

    Publications: Author: “Pedagogical Content Analysis of Mathematics as a Framework for Task Design,” Proceedings of ICMI Study 22 (2013); “Mathematics of Information Processing and the Internet,” Mathematics Teacher (MT) (2010); “Vertex-Edge Graphs: An Essential Topic in High School Geometry,” MT (2008). Coauthor: Navigating through Discrete Mathematics (2 vols.) (NCTM 2008, 2009); numerous books and articles, including high school mathematics textbooks (2003, 2008, 2014, and in press).

    Honors: Lifetime Achievement Award, Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics (2008).

    Statement: Drawing on my 30 years’ experience, I look forward to contributing on the NCTM Board in at least three areas. First, the message and methods for improving mathematics education have become too complicated and overwhelming. There is a dizzying array of recommended best practices. How can a teacher do it all? A simple, sharp focus can go a long way. We are math teachers, so we think deeply about the mathematics, how and why it makes sense, how it all fits together, how it can be used to make sense of the world. Then we think of effective questions to ask students and around which to organize lessons so that students are actively engaged in developing their own deep understanding. This simpler, sharper focus on the mathematics and good questions will naturally and substantially contribute to, for example, active learning, formative assessment, equity, and mathematical discourse. With NCTM’s advocacy and leadership, this focus can bring renewed enthusiasm and effectiveness to the classroom.

    Second, NCTM’s Vision Statement asserts that NCTM aims to be “the global leader and foremost authority in mathematics education.” To help achieve this vision, I believe that NCTM can be more involved internationally, through conferences, publications, and collaborations, and that this will also strengthen our initiatives here at home.

    Third, NCTM must work to ensure quality control for the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics (CCSSM) and the associated high-stakes tests. These standards are a great step forward, an opportunity to improve mathematics education across the country, but they are not tested, not perfect, and they should not be considered permanent in their current form. I agree with NCTM’s recent Position Statement declaring commitment to work on “CCSSM’s improvement over short, medium, and long terms.” This is one of the most important initiatives that NCTM should undertake! I look forward to working on such initiatives. I would be pleased and honored to join the NCTM Board.