Amy Ellis

Biography

I received my Ph.D. from the joint program at the University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University. I also hold a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mathematics. Prior to my appointment at the University of Georgia, I taught middle-school and high school mathematics in California, and then spent 12 years as a professor at the University of Wisconsin. In my current position I enjoy working with pre-service and in-service mathematics teachers at the 6-12 level.

Interests

  • Mathematics education
  • Algebra and algebraic reasoning
  • Generalization and proof
  • Student learning and cognition
  • Middle-school and secondary education

Education

  •  Ph.D. in Mathematics and Science Education, 2004
    University of California at San Diego
  •  M.A. in Mathematics, 1998
    California State University, San Jose
  •  B.A. in Mathematics, 1993
    Washington University in St. Louis

Concentrations

Google Scholar Page Download CV

Contact

 Aderhold Hall, 111L
 https://amyellismathed.wixsite.com/amyellis

Research Summary

My scholarship is focused on supporting students’ learning in middle school and high school. I study student reasoning, particularly as it relates to algebra, generalization, and proof, as well as teachers’ pedagogical practices aimed at fostering meaningful student engagement.

I have received thirteen grants from national and state organizations including the National Science Foundation and the Institute of Education Sciences, and currently serve as the PI on an NSF-funded project investigating students’ mathematical generalizations. Part of my current work includes scaling up findings from twelve years of teaching experiment studies to the whole-classroom level, in which I work with middle school teachers to support their implementation of research-based units fostering students’ understanding of function. I maintain a strong interest in issues of equity and social justice, which informs my work with students, teachers, and school districts.