Close Up Radio Spotlights Mathematics Professor Dr. Frank Gardella

South Orange, NJ – Dr. Frank Gardella is a Professor in Mathematics Education and Mathematics at Hunter College – CUNY.   In addition, he has devoted his career to the improvement of the education of mathematics. He has accomplished this by serving as a teacher, supervisor, an educational consultant, and as an author of several books related to mathematics education. “In my working with teachers as a consultant, I try to become part of the school community to advance the learning of mathematics on the part of children,” summarizes Frank.

“Students come first, mathematics come second,” asserts Frank.

At Hunter College, Frank has a program called the Elementary Mathematics Specialist Program. With this program, elementary teachers study mathematics and how it is effectively taught.

Frank identifies one of the main concerns regarding the education of mathematics the top-down approach that is often utilized, especially with national standards and national curriculums. The main problem is that there is no middle management support for elementary teachers. Elementary principals often do not understand the teaching of mathematics.

As for the future, Frank is looking to publish his newest textbook, titled What We Call Middle School Math. While he explains that this is only a working title at the moment, he ultimately feels that he will use this as the permanent title. The book is intended to explain what is currently involved in the middle school math curriculum.

“All children can learn mathematics,” concludes Frank. “We just have to figure out a way to get them to learn it.”

You may also visit his page on LinkedIn