Sandi Cooper, Ph.D.

Dr. Sandi Cooper earned her Ph.D. in mathematics education at Texas A&M University in 1994 and is currently professor of mathematics education, associate dean for undergraduate education, coordinator of mathematics education, and coordinator of the Informal Education minor. She is the founding director of the Online EdD in Learning and Organizational Change in the School of Education at Baylor University. She teaches undergraduate courses in the elementary teacher certification program and graduate courses in mathematics education. The focus of her research is early number development, integrating children’s literature into mathematics instruction, teacher noticing, and mathematical experiences in museums.

Named Centennial Professor for 2016 at Baylor University and Baylor Fellow in 2021, Dr. Cooper’s recent research focus is related to early number development, specifically with children in PreK to second grade and the effectiveness of teachers who teach these early learners. In the summer of 2016, she established Math for Early Learners Academy (MELA), a month-long summer program for PreK children, designed to provide positive learning experiences focused on the development of early number concepts. To learn more about this program, go to the MELA information page on the SOE site.

Dr. Cooper served as project director and co-director of several funded projects including Eisenhower grants, a U.S. Department of Education Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers for Technology (PT3) grant, and the inaugural program for the Texas Regional Collaboratives for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics. She served on the Editorial Panel of NCTM’s Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School journal from 2011-2014 and was co-editor for a special focus issue (January 2014) Rational Number Sense. In addition, she was co-editor for a special focus issue (January 2016), Parent Engagement in Science and Mathematics Learning for the School Science and Mathematics Journal. In 2017-2020 , she served on the Editorial Panel of NCTM's Teaching Children Mathematics journal.

Dr. Cooper has served as president and co-executive director for the School Science and Mathematics Association, president of the Texas Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and president of the Central Texas Council of Teachers of Mathematics. She has served as affiliates director for the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators and was inaugural president of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators in Texas. In addition, she has served on numerous national boards, committees, and special task forces for professional organizations in Mathematics Education.

Research Interests

• Mathematics for Young Learners
• Mathematics in Informal Learning Sites
• STEM for Young Learners/Integrated Math and Science
• Early Number Sense
• Integrating Children’s Literature in Mathematics

Select Publications

• Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education in Texas, Vol. 12, Issue 1, p. 13-14, 2022
  "Teacher noticing for preservice teachers in an early childhood field experience"
  with co-authors Dr. Brandy Crowley, Emporia State University, Michael Warren, doctoral candidate, Melissa Donham, doctoral candidate, Kurt Salisbury, Amplify, Kenley Ritter, doctoral candidate, and Melissa Eubank, doctoral student.
• Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education in Texas, Vol. 12, Issue 1, p. 13-14, 2022
  "Teacher noticing for preservice teachers in an early childhood field experience"
  with co-author(s) Dr. Brandy Crowley, Emporia State University, Michael Warren, doctoral candidate, Melissa Donham, doctoral candidate, Kurt Salisbury, Amplify, Kenley Ritter, doctoral candidate, and Melissa Eubank, doctoral student
• Impacting Education: Journal on Transforming Professional Practice, Vol. 7, Issue 1, p. 32-41, 2022
  "Reframing the problem of practice: Transitions in Baylor University’s Ed.D. in learning and organizational change program"
  with co-author(s) Dr. Brooke Blevins, University of Idaho, Lacy Crocker-Papadakis, affiliate clinical faculty, assistant director edd-loc writing center, Julia Earl, lecturer, Leanne Howell, lecturer, Cece Lively, doctoral student, associate director edd-loc, Jessica Meehan, lecturer, Elizabeth Murray, affiliate clinical faculty, writing consultant edd-loc writing center, Sarah Pratt, lecturer, Laila Sanguras, lecturer, graduate program director edd-loc, Sandra Talbert, clinical associate professor, Tony Talbert, professor, and Nick Werse, affiliate clinical faculty, director edd-loc writing center
• Connected Science Learning, Vol. 3, Issue 4, p. online, 2021
  "Water, river, and community: Bridging community, environment, and outreach through a transdisciplinary course"
  with co-author(s) Dr. Suzanne Nesmith, associate professor, Charlie Walter, director, Mayborn Museum, Cole Matson, associate professor, TIsha Emerson, professor, Melissa Mullins, environmental education & outreach coordinator, crasr, Julie Daniel, associate professor, and Paul Martens, associate professor.
• Impacting Education: Journal on Transforming Professional Practice, Vol. 6, Issue 3, p. 21-29, 2021
  "Building community in online professional practice doctoral programs"
  with co-author(s) Cece Lively, doctoral student, associate director of edd-loc, Brooke Blevins, Dean, University of Idaho, and Sandra Talbert, clinical associate professor.
• Mathematics Learning, Vol. 14, Issue 3, p. 199-214, 2022
  "The impact of a summer intervention focused on foundational concepts of number sense for early learners"
  with co-authors Dr. Ryann Shelton, lecturer, Noah Padgett, Harvard University, Brandy Crowley, Emporia State University, Keith Kerschen, Concordia University, and Melissa Donham, doctoral candidate.

Awards & Honors

• E. Glenadine Gibb Achievement Award - 2022 | Texas Council of Teachers of Mathematics
  Recognizes a Texas mathematics educator who has made contributions to the field at the state and/or national level.
• Baylor Fellow - 2022 | Baylor Academy for Teaching and Learning
  Baylor Fellows program recognizes professors across the disciplinary spectrum who exemplify excellence in teaching. Baylor Fellows are committed to pedagogical innovation, inspirational teaching, and the cultivation of these among Baylor faculty. 
• Baylor Centennial Professor Award - 2016 | Baylor University
  The Centennial Professor Award, created by the Baylor class of 1945, honors two tenured faculty members with a $5,000 faculty development award for research projects. Dr. Cooper's work was focused on, "closing the achievement gap in mathematics: elementary school experiences are essential." from Baylor University, 2016.
• Excellence in Integrating Mathematics and Science - 2018 | School Science and Mathematics Association
  Received for collaborative work with Dr. Suzanne Nesmith to design a series of professional development workshops in STEM for elementary teachers.
• AMTE-TX Outstanding Service Award - 2019 | Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators in Texas
  Honors a member of AMTE-TX who has made significant contributions to the field of mathematics teacher education. 

Professional Leadership

• President, School Science and Mathematics Association
• Associate Vice President-Marketing, Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators
• Board of Directors | School Science and Mathematics Association
• President, Texas Council of Teachers of Mathematics | 2017-2019
• Secretary, Board of Directors, Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators | 2017-2019
• President, Central Texas Council of Teachers of Mathematics | 2012-2014
• President, Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators in Texas | 2008-2010
• Co-Executive Director, School Science and Mathematics Association | 2006-2010

 Courses

• Community Leadership and Collaboration (EDC 6362)
• Cognitive Theory in Mathematics Education (EDC 6342)
• Assessment Issues in Mathematics Education (EDC 5331)
• Curriculum and Teaching in Informal Environments (TED 4361/EDC 5361)
• Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School (TED 4326)