Chapter 25: Research Mathematician and Mathematics Educator: A Foot in Both Worlds

I am a research mathematician and a university mathematics educator who has passion for teaching teachers. My journey to this point has been filled with opportunities to think deeply about mathematical content, and learning and teaching mathematics. This chapter is about how I came to identify myself (with a foot in both worlds of research mathematician and mathematics educator), how being in both worlds has impacted my views about learning and teaching of mathematics, and ultimately how I collaborated with others to develop a university-level mathematics curriculum for middle grade teachers.

I am not sure if the sweat on my brow was due to a state of high anxiety or the sweltering heat of a 1974, summer afternoon in Lincoln, Nebraska. The lecture hall was near capacity, and more than 100 researchers in the field of Commutative Algebra were eagerly awaiting the next scheduled talk. Several of the most distinguished minds seemed to be situated in the rows closest to the podium. A clock on the wall indicated 2:54 P.M., which meant that in six minutes the public launch of my professional career would take place. “Ladies and gentlemen, our next speaker is Ira J. Papick from Rutgers University, and his talk is entitled Simple Overrings.” The introductory applause muffled my tympanic heart sounds, and within seconds, mathematical phrases were filling the room. It seemed to me that my style was graceful and smooth—that is, until I noticed my right foot had inadvertently found its way to the bottom of a waste paper basket. With the unruly can in tow, I briefly continued my spirited presentation, and then, suddenly, without notice, my foot found freedom. A huge roar of laughter combined with a massive ovation followed my “feat,” and I managed to complete my talk without further acrobatics.