Megan Burton

Megan Burton is a Professor of Elementary Education in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching at Auburn University. She specializes in STEM education, with a focus on elementary mathematics teachers' identities, beliefs, and inclusive practices. Her work includes developing teacher candidates' abilities to address diverse learner needs through innovative instructional strategies and technology integration. Dr. Burton has led STEM camps and conducted research on AI in education, equity frameworks, and culturally responsive pedagogy.

• Ph.D. in Elementary Education, Mathematics (2006), The University of Alabama
• M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education (1998), Kennesaw State University
• B.S. in Elementary Education (1994), Auburn University

Dr. Burton's research spans inclusive STEM education, teacher identity, and the application of artificial intelligence in mathematics instruction. She has published extensively in journals such as Journal of Teacher Education and Young Children, emphasizing accessible pedagogy and equity. Her recent articles explore AI tools, STEM equity in picture books, and design thinking for societal improvement.

Key trends in her work include:

• Integration of STEM with literacy and empathy-driven design
• Addressing the digital divide through discursive practices and AI tools
• Advancing inclusive pedagogy for struggling and multilingual learners
• Analyzing teacher self-efficacy in virtual and pandemic-driven environments
• Developing pre-service teachers' STEM and mathematics competencies
• Advocating for equity-focused scholarly communities

• Past President, Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators
• Co-author of Making Mathematics Standards Accessible to Students with Diverse Learning Needs

Dr. Burton combines classroom experience from her decade as an elementary teacher with academic research to prepare educators for inclusive STEM teaching. She mentors teacher candidates through field experiences and technology-enhanced pedagogy, ensuring practical application of her findings.