By Brenda Alling , WSU Vancouver
VANCOUVER, Wash. – Heidi Rhodes, a Washington State University Vancouver student in the mathematics and science education doctoral program, has been selected as a Charles A. Dana Center International Facilitation Fellow.
The center works with the U.S. Department of Defense education agency to make sure teachers provide consistent, high-quality math instruction to children whose parents are in the military across the globe.
“This role is one of high honor and distinction and represents outstanding service to our country,” said Katey Arrington of the Dana Center. Rhodes is one of more than 80 participants chosen from 200 applicants.
The Department of Defense is transitioning to the Common Core State Standards for some 75,000 K-12 students at schools on military bases in 13 countries.
Calling the award “a true honor,” Rhodes said it will not only enable her to serve military families but will also benefit her own education students.
“If I understand how to fully implement the Common Core with fidelity and support school systems in aligning curriculum, instruction and assessment in a K-12 system, I will be better positioned to help my students understand the depth and complexity of their own work,” she said.
Rhodes, who expects to complete her Ph.D. dissertation in 2017, works as K-12 math manager for Woodland Public Schools.
Based at the University of Texas, the Dana Center has a mission to advance teaching and learning in mathematics to prepare students for success in college and the changing workforce.