معرفی
Dr. Trena L. Wilkerson serves as Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction at Baylor University's School of Education. A nationally recognized leader in mathematics education, she completed her presidency of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) in 2022 after a two-year term and continues to influence the field through editorial and leadership roles.
Her academic foundation includes a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction with mathematics focus from the University of Southern Mississippi (1994).
- Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction (Mathematics Focus), University of Southern Mississippi, 1994
Dr. Wilkerson's research investigates effective mathematics teaching practices and their impact on student learning. She specializes in algebra teacher efficacy measurement, professional development through lesson study, and early childhood rational number concept development. Her cross-university collaborations have produced validated instruments for assessing teacher efficacy, while her work with GEAR UP initiatives demonstrates practical applications of educational research in underserved communities. Current scholarship emphasizes equity-based mathematics teaching practices through global perspectives.
Her distinguished contributions have earned significant recognition:
- Louise Hay Award for Contributions to Mathematics Education (2024, Association for Women in Mathematics)
- Prakken Professional Cooperation Award (2021, ITEEA)
- NCTM Publication Award for Outstanding Journal (2020)
- Distinguished Alumna of the Year Award (2019, Mississippi College)
As director of the GEAR UP Math Initiative and co-principal investigator of the $11.3 million GEAR UP Waco grant (2006-2013), she led large-scale federal efforts preparing middle school students for higher education. She currently co-edits the online journal Statistics Teacher (American Statistical Association/NCTM) and previously edited the Texas Math Teacher (2017-2020), demonstrating sustained commitment to practitioner-focused knowledge dissemination. Her editorial leadership bridges research and classroom practice through accessible professional resources.
Dr. Wilkerson's initiative leadership extends to collaborative projects like the cross-university algebra efficacy instrument development and lesson study implementations that connect teacher professional growth with student outcomes. Her work through the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators and state organizations continues to shape mathematics education policy and practice nationally.
