Steven R. Williams has been named chair of the BYU Mathematics Education Department effective June 1, 2008. Williams replaces Gerald M. Armstrong who has served as chair of the department since its formation in August 2000.
Blake E. Peterson will continue his service as associate chair of the department.
Williams received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees (1980 and 1983) in mathematics from BYU, and his doctorate (1989) from University of Wisconsin-Madison. He subsequently taught at Washington State University for four years, and joined the BYU mathematics education faculty in 1993.
His current research surrounds the uncovering and understanding of the discursive practices that underlie mathematics as done by mathematicians, traditional school mathematics and reform-oriented school mathematics, and the implication of these discursive practices for schools and students, especially relating to equity issues.
Born and raised in Logan, Utah, Peterson graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with an emphasis in mathematics and computer science. He received his master’s and doctoral degrees (1990 and 1993) from Washington State University, and subsequently taught at Oregon State University for three years.
Peterson joined the BYU mathematics education faculty in 1996. His research interests include the nature of the mathematical dialogue that occurs among teachers, particularly during student teaching, both in the United States and Japan.
For more information, contact Lynn D. Patton at (801) 422-4022.
Writer: Lynn D. Patten
