2021 Susan Gay Travel Scholarship Recipient
Ayse Ozturk
The Ohio State University
Biography
Ayse Ozturk is a doctoral candidate in the STEM Education at The Ohio State University with a concentration in Mathematics Education. She holds an M.A. in Mathematics from Sam Houston State University and an M.A. in Mathematics Education from The Ohio State University. Her research interests include mathematical modeling processes, quantitative reasoning, and teaching experiments using design-based research methodology. Her dissertation has a dual focus on theorizing on secondary students’ constructions and sensemaking of mathematical models in a small classroom setting and finding a model for teaching practices that facilitate students’ mathematical modeling processes by examining classroom vignettes from whole-class and group discussions. Additionally, as a teacher, teacher educator, and researcher who comes from a minority background, her passion is developing and teaching equity and social-justice driven lessons to empower all students to be active, critical mathematical thinkers, and reflexive participants in society. Over the past four years, Ayse has served as a graduate research assistant in NSF-funded projects to examine prospective elementary mathematics teachers’ pedagogical and content knowledge of area conception, and children’s mathematical reasoning through digital storytelling. Ayse has also enjoyed teaching STEM assessment courses, the technology used in STEM education, and mathematics content and method courses for elementary teacher candidates while at The Ohio State University, where she expects to graduate this year. Ayse hopes to use all the knowledge and experience gained in her future career as a mathematics education researcher and teacher educator.