Summer Bateiha

Dr. Summer Bateiha is a Professor of Mathematics at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of the Arts in Qatar. She holds a Ph.D. in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum with a focus on Mathematics Education from the University of Oklahoma, along with an M.S. in Mathematics and a B.A. in Mathematics (summa cum laude) from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

Her research focuses on integrating social justice, ethnomathematics, and storytelling into mathematics education. She emphasizes culturally relevant pedagogy and has pioneered interdisciplinary projects like the Multimodal Mathematics research lab, which explores STEM education through art, design, and creative writing. This lab has received over $40,000 in funding from VCUarts and Qatar National Research Fund.

Dr. Bateiha’s work has been recognized through two university distinguished teaching awards and the international acclaim for her children’s book Spring Bloom: A Math Adventure Story. Her articles and presentations address topics such as statistics pedagogy, teacher training, and error-driven learning. Notable funded projects include Ala’b: Preserving & Promoting Traditional Qatari Games ($30,000) and Multimodal Mathematics: Interactivity and Cultural Relevance ($40,000 across two grants).

Her academic contributions span over 20 peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and exhibitions. She actively collaborates with scholars in education, art, and design to advance equitable and culturally responsive STEM education. Current initiatives include a literary exhibit Fractions at Ramadan and continued work on multimodal storytelling frameworks.