Nesrin Cengiz-Phillips

Nesrin Cengiz-Phillips is an Associate Professor of Mathematics Education in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, within the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters. She teaches mathematics content and methods courses for pre-service teachers and graduate courses for education students in the College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHSS). She also advises students in the Master of Arts in Education with Mathematics Leadership endorsement program.

Dr. Cengiz-Phillips holds a PhD and Master’s in Mathematics Education from Western Michigan University and has been a faculty member at UM-Dearborn since September 2007. She integrates teaching and research, using her own and colleagues' classrooms as sites for improving teacher education and student understanding of mathematics.

Her research centers on how students make sense of mathematics, emphasizing equitable and inclusive classroom environments where all thinking is valued. She investigates productive teaching practices, students’ conceptual learning, and ways to enhance mathematical reasoning, particularly in elementary and middle school contexts. Her work supports the development of deep understanding through discussion, representation, and problem-solving.

The available publications, spanning 2009–2011, reveal a consistent focus on enhancing mathematical thinking. Key themes include whole-group discussion strategies, student-generated representations, and conceptual understanding of fractions and decimals. Her research promotes active, student-centered pedagogy in mathematics education.

She has published in respected journals such as Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, Teaching Children Mathematics, and Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School.

Dr. Cengiz-Phillips collaborates with colleagues to improve teacher preparation and enjoys working directly with K–12 students and teachers in Michigan. She is committed to the belief that all individuals can understand mathematics when provided with appropriate opportunities and supportive learning environments.