Abby Rocha

Abby Rocha is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics in the Department of Analytical & Physical Science at Central College. She is based in the Vermeer Science Center and is actively involved in teaching and research focused on mathematics education.

Her research centers on enhancing mathematics instruction by investigating how teachers develop mathematical meanings and effective instructional practices, particularly in precalculus topics such as angle measure and the sine function. She promotes student-centered, conceptually rich learning environments and has contributed to the field through invited book chapters and national conference presentations.

Abby Rocha earned her Ph.D. and M.A. from Arizona State University, where she received multiple awards for both teaching and research excellence. Her educational background includes a B.S. in Mathematics with a 9-12 Illinois Teaching Certificate in Mathematics.

In her teaching, she employs active learning and reflective practices that value student reasoning and cultivate intellectual curiosity. She has taught a wide range of mathematics and mathematics education courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels and has led professional development for graduate student instructors, inservice, and preservice teachers.

Scientific Awards:

• Multiple awards for teaching excellence at Arizona State University
• Multiple awards for research excellence at Arizona State University

Her scholarly work is grounded in advancing theoretical and practical approaches in mathematics teacher education. She continues to be committed to meaningful student learning in both her classroom and research endeavors.