By Samuel Knox
UniteNews Staff Writer
“Empowering students to be learners and doers of mathematics and giving them the agency to do so”
Christa Jackson, Ph.D., is currently a professor of educational studies at St Louis University. Prior to that appointment, Jackson worked as an assistant professor in the Department of STEM Education at the University of Kentucky from 2010 through 2014 and then as an associate professor of mathematics education in the School of Education at Iowa State University 2014 to 2021.
Jackson earned her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in mathematics education from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Before entering higher education, Jackson taught for a decade in the public school system in Springfield, Missouri.
The Math Book Series
Dazzling Us with Data is part of the Powerful Mathematicians Who Changed the World book series. Edited by Christa Jackson and illustrated by Estrella Bascuñan, the Powerful Mathematicians Who Changed the World book series centers on underrepresented mathematicians we do not typically hear or learn about in school. By reading the stories, you and your child will gain insight into the remarkable work of these mathematicians, learn about their mathematical contributions, and become more intrigued and see yourself more as learners and doers of mathematics.
“My research focuses primarily on teachers’ knowledge of equity, particularly as they’re teaching primarily black students, so that they are truly meeting the students’ needs, and then also making sure that they are building off a student’s agency, as well as identity, to engage them in the mathematics,” Jackson said.
This series features books for elementary, middle, and high school audiences.
Dr. Jackson said she is “excited to build upon her research on disrupting oppressive systems that hinder students, particularly minority students (i.e., Blacks, Latinx, Native Americans, students with dis(abilities), students in poverty, and girls) from participating in, having agency with, and developing positive, productive identities in mathematics, science, and STEM through seeking external funding and ensuring her research is an integral component in the courses she teaches and in her service and outreach opportunities.”
Dr. Jackson is also the Founder and Director of the Institute for STEM Collaboration, Outreach, Research, and Education (iSCORE) where she focuses on transforming the STEM community one mind at a time through fostering scholars’ STEM literacy development, STEM identities, and STEM sense of belonging. Dr. Jackson researches the development, use, and implementation of integrated STEM curriculum as well as understand the influence curricular materials and the related standards have on teachers’ practices and the opportunities the curricular materials afford scholars to engage in STEM.
