David J. Carrejo

David J. Carrejo is an Associate Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), where he serves in the Department of Teacher Education within the College of Education. He holds the title of Distinguished Teaching Professor and was awarded the prestigious UT System Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award in 2015. Dr. Carrejo teaches elementary and middle-school math and science methods courses for pre-service teachers as well as graduate and doctoral courses in various areas of mathematics education. He previously served as Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Educator Preparation in the College of Education at UTEP.

Dr. Carrejo earned his educational degrees from UTEP and the University of Texas at Austin. His academic journey includes:

• Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from the University of Texas at Austin (2004)
• M.A. in Teaching Mathematics from UTEP (1998)
• B.S. in Mathematics from UTEP (1995)

Dr. Carrejo's research focuses on the intersection of mathematics education, learning theory, and teacher preparation. His work centers on constructivist approaches to understanding how students learn mathematics, with particular emphasis on mathematical modeling, the history of mathematics in education, and integrated STEM education. He investigates how teachers can effectively facilitate conceptual change through modeling in mathematics and science classrooms, especially for English Language Learners. His research also explores coherent systems for instructional improvement in mathematics education and the development of early algebra concepts for pre-service elementary teachers.

Dr. Carrejo's scholarly work demonstrates a strong trajectory toward integrating historical perspectives with contemporary mathematics education. His recent publications show increasing focus on connecting the history of mathematics to secondary school curriculum, developing foundations for teaching elementary and middle school mathematics, and designing engineering-focused experiences to support STEM education. His research consistently bridges theory and practice, emphasizing model-based reasoning and the co-development of content knowledge and language literacy, particularly for diverse student populations.

Dr. Carrejo has received significant recognition for his teaching excellence:

• UT System Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award (2015)

As an advisor, Dr. Carrejo has mentored several doctoral and master's students to completion, including Mayra Ortiz-Galarza, Oscar Salcedo, Abdelghani Setra, and Michael Strange. His grant portfolio reflects his commitment to STEM education and teacher development:

• 2017-2020: Co-PI on NSF grant ($590,000) assessing impact of Texas STEM Academies
• 2017: PI on Boeing grant ($27,000) for elementary environmental science education
• 2013-2016: Co-PI on Department of Education grant ($3,200,000) for Local Educational Agencies Partnership
• 2014-2015: Co-PI on NSF grant ($287,703) for preparing teacher-engineers
• 2009-2010: PI on Carnegie Foundation grant ($4,000) for mathematics teacher induction

Dr. Carrejo maintains active collaborations with various educational entities. He serves as a Faculty Fellow at the Hopper-Dean Center for Excellence for K-12 Computer Science Education and is a member of the Paso del Norte Partnership Education Research, which connects the College of Education with K-12 school districts and non-profits to improve student outcomes in El Paso and Hudspeth Counties. He also has a close working relationship with the College of Engineering and the Department of Engineering Education and Leadership at UTEP, reflecting his commitment to integrated STEM education approaches.