University of North Dakota Assistant Professor Department of Teaching & Learning Office:  Education 3B 231 Centennial Dr. Stop 7189 Grand Forks, ND 58202-7189 (701) 777-6759 mary.baker@und.nodak.edu

Dr. Mary Baker is an associate professor of mathematics education in the Department of Teaching & Learning.  A former elementary and middle school teacher, Dr. Baker has taught in Idaho, Arizona, Texas, Minnesota and North Dakota.  

In 1988, Dr. Baker received a Bachelors of Science degree in Information Systems Analysis & Design from the University of Redlands, Redlands, CA.  With that degree, she became a systems analyst, but found that she enjoyed teaching people how to use the computer programs she wrote more than she did the actual writing of the programs.  Accordingly, she began her teaching career at the College of Southern Idaho.  At that time she also began substitute teaching in the local school district.  It was in those classroom settings that she discovered the joys associated with teaching young children.

In 1995 she received a Bachelors of Art degree in Elementary Education with areas of emphasis in both math and science from Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, ID.  With that degree she began her elementary teaching career in a 3rd grade classroom. 

After moving to Arizona, she continued her education.  Dr. Baker received her Masters of Education in Teaching & Teacher Education (Curriculum & Instruction) from the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, in 1998.  In Arizona she had the opportunity to teach in both 6th and 1st grades.  After moving to Texas, she was hired as the K-8th grade computer teacher, and later served as a 2nd grade teacher; she also had the opportunity to work with middle school students with mathematics difficulties.

After moving to Minnesota, Dr. Baker began working on her Ph.D.  She completed her Doctor of Philosophy in 2004 with a major of Higher Education, a minor in Research Statistics, and a cognate in Mathematics Education from the University of North Dakota.  She was hired at UND in the spring of 2004 as an assistant professor of mathematics education in the Elementary Education Program area.
In the Department of Teaching & Learning, Dr. Baker teaches both graduate and undergraduate coursework primarily in the field of mathematics education.  She teaches Mathematics for Primary Grades, Mathematics for Intermediate Grades, Mathematics in the Elementary School (TEAM), and the graduate Mathematics in the Elementary School course.  Additionally, she serves as the mathematics content area guest lecturer for the Middle School Methods block.  

Dr. Baker serves as TEAM (Teacher Education through Applied Methods) Coordinator and is the Graduate Director for the Masters in Elementary Education Program.  She serves as the faculty advisor for both the Teaching & Learning Graduate Student Organization and for the Power ON! Student Organization.  She is also the Educational Thrust Coordinator for the SUNRISE Education and Research Program.
Dr. Baker is actively involved in the North Dakota Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NDCTM).  She served as Historian from 2005 – 2007, President-Elect from 2007 – 2008, President from 2008 – 2009, and is currently finishing her term as Past President (2009 – 2010).  She is also an active member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

Dr. Baker’s research interests involve both quantitative and qualitative studies related to mathematics education and the use of technology in elementary and middle school classrooms.  She is particularly interested in alternative teaching strategies that emphasize the importance of hands-on, minds-on learning.  She has published 11 articles and proceedings and has presented at 25 conferences at the international, national, regional and state levels.  Additionally, she serves as a reviewer of both books and journals at the national and state levels.   While she enjoys these opportunities to share her research with other mathematics educators, her priority and joy continues to be her teaching.