Joanna Masingila

Joanna O. Masingila [http://math.syr.edu/Bios/Masingila.htm] (born August 16, 1960) 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.

Masingila was born in Lebanon, Oregon and lived there until the age of 10 when her family moved to Harper, Kansas. She graduated as valedictorian from Chaparral High School [http://www.usd361.k12.ks.us/] 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 [http://www.fairfield.k12.in.us/hs/] 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 at 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 [http://www.indiana.edu/~edfolks/persons/lester.html]

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 [http://math.syr.edu/Bios/Doerr.htm] , have had numerous research projects funded by the National Science Foundation, 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 [http://www.bellarmine.edu/cas/mathematics/] , have written a set of books for mathematics content courses for pre-service elementary teachers.

Masingila was a Fulbright Scholar to Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya in 1998 and continues to work with colleagues there on research projects. She was named a Laura J. and L. Douglass Meredith Professor for Excellence in Teaching [http://provost.syr.edu/faculty/recognition/meredith/meredith.asp] 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, Machakos District, Kenya. In 2006, she was awarded an Excellence in Graduate Education Faculty Recognition Award [http://gradschpdprograms.syr.edu/awards/excgradrecog.php] 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.