Nickolaus Ortiz

Nickolaus Ortiz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Middle and Secondary Education at Georgia State University’s College of Education & Human Development. His research focuses on Black/African-American students’ experiences in mathematics education, emphasizing culturally relevant pedagogy and the manifestation of ontological Blackness in learning environments. He earned a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction (Mathematics Education) from Texas A&M University in 2018, an M.Ed. from Georgia State University, and a B.S. in Secondary Mathematics Education from Kennesaw State University. Before joining Georgia State, he was a post-doctoral research associate at Michigan State University.

Ortiz’s work centers Black brilliance in mathematics, examining how teaching practices like conceptual understanding and mathematics discourse impact Black students’ performance and appreciation for the discipline. He integrates music and Black vernacular into his pedagogy, advocating for culturally sustaining approaches. His research spans STEM education equity, teacher preparation, and systemic barriers affecting Black learners.

His publications explore topics such as culturally relevant lesson planning, Black language in science education, and the intersection of Black identity with STEM success. Ortiz collaborates on projects addressing STEM vocabulary development through ‘concept raps,’ integrating cultural responsiveness into STEM vocabulary instruction. He critiques traditional curricula and advocates for pedagogical frameworks rooted in communalism and Black liberation.