curriculum vita - dr. john best

John D. Best, Ph.D.

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Department of Science and Mathematics 324 Jackson Hall Summit University Clarks Summit, PA, 18411 Phone: (570) 585-9611

Home: 118 Highland Ave Clarks Summit, PA, 18411 Phone: (315) 409-8981 Email: [email protected]

[email protected]

Education: Ph. D in Mathematics January 2002 Binghamton University Binghamton, NY 13902-6000 Dissertation: “On 3/2-transitive Groups” M.S. in Mathematics May 1984 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY 13244-1150 B.S. in Mathematics May 1980 King’s College Wilkes-Barre, PA 18704

Employment experience: Associate Professor of Mathematics and Mathematics Education Director of Secondary Mathematics Education Program 8/07-Present Chair of the Department of Science and Mathematics Summit University Clarks Summit, PA, 18411 Adjunct Instructor of Mathematics 8/13 - Present Keystone College La Plume, Pa Assistant Professor of Mathematics 9/04-8/07 SUNY Cortland Cortland, NY 13045-0900 Part-Time Assistant Professor of Mathematics 9/96-5/04 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY 13244-1150 Empire State College (State University of New York) 9/89-12/98 Syracuse, NY 13202 Mathematics Instructor

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Employment experience (continued): Binghamton University 9/94-12/94 Binghamton, NY 13902-6000 Adjunct Instructor Cazenovia College 9/85-5/89 Cazenovia, NY 13035 Instructor/Math Coordinator for the Learning Center Selected Scholarship:

• Presentation: Frobenius Groups having 3/2-Transitive action on a set of Sylow Subgroups; Zassenhaus Group Theory Conference, Binghamton University, May 1997

• Presentation: Semilinear Groups having 3/2-Transitive action on a set of Sylow Subgroups; Zassenhaus Group Theory Conference, Miami University of Ohio, May 1999.

• On 3/2 – Transitive Groups; Doctoral Dissertation, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 2001

• An Introduction to Algebraic Structures (Unpublished draft of textbook used in Abstract Algebra course), SUNY Cortland (2005). Modified version used at Summit University, 2010

• Assisted Dr. Cristina Bacuta (PI) with her PMET (Preparing Mathematicians to Educate Teachers) project entitled “Assessing Preservice Teachers’ Abilities to do Proofs”, 2005-2006

• Presentation: Proofs We Thought Our Students Could Do (Joint work with Dr. Cristina Bacuta and Dr. Bruce Mattingly); MAA Seaway Section Meeting, Ithaca College, April 2006

• Algebraic Structures for High School Teachers - Class Notes. • Presentation: Combinatorial Excursions in Taxicab geometry; Lackawanna and

Luzerne County Mathematics Symposium, Misericordia University, Dallas, Pa, Sept. 22, 2012

• Presentation: Integral Distances in Taxicab Geometry; Lackawanna and Luzerne County Mathematics Symposium, Misericordia University, Dallas, Pa, Sept. 21, 2013.

• Presentation: Cryptography: The Mathematics of Keeping Secrets; University of Scranton, Mathematics Seminar, Scranton, Pa, March 23, 2014

• Presentation: Excursions in Combinatorial Taxicab Geometry; Math Fest 2015, Washington D.C., Aug. 2015

Scholarly Interests:

• Connections between Upper Level Core Mathematics Courses and High School Mathematics

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• Assessment in Undergraduate Mathematics • High School Mathematics Teachers Content Knowledge • Professional Development for Mathematics Teachers • Taxicab Geometry • Geometric Combinatorics/Discrete Geometry • Preservice teachers abilities to do proofs

Recent Professional Development:

• August 2006; Participated in Minicourse- Infusing Connections Into Core Courses for Secondary Teachers; Math Fest, Knoxville, Tenn.

• August 2008; Completed on campus training at Summit University for on-line course development. Training included introduction to Moodle and Freemind.

• November 2008; Attended PCTM Conference and participated in Geometry workshop; Lake Harmony, PA

• November 2009: Attended PCTM/PAMTE conference; Pittsburgh, PA • August 2010: Attended MathFest in Pittsburgh, PA. Participated in workshop entitled

Understanding and Assessing Mathematical Proofs. August 2011: Attended MathFest in Lexington, Ky. Participated in Minicourse entitled Alternatives to Traditional Grading to Enhance Student Learning. Participated in sessions devoted to organizing and leading a Math Circle. Fall 2010 served as participant for a study by the Educational Policy Improvement Center (EPIC).

• January 2012: Attended Joint Mathematics Meetings in Boston, MA. Participated in short course entitled Discrete and Computational Geometry and mini-course entitled Problem Based Courses for Teachers.

• April 2014: Attended Mathematical Association of America regional meeting at University of Scranton.

• August 2014: Completed Webinar entitled “Creating a Culture of Problem Solving in Your School or Classroom”.

• May 2015: Attended Zassenhaus Group Theory Conference at Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY

• August 2015: Attended and presented (see Scholarship) at MathFest in Washington, DC.

College Service:

• Ad-hoc Committee on Assessment, 2004- 2006 • Mathematics Department Curriculum Committee, 2005-2007 • Developed curriculum for upper level course in Mathematical Problem Solving • Coach for Putnam Examination-2004 and 2005 • Various textbook selection committees

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• Supervised Graduate Project in Math Education-SUNY Cortland- Technology In The Classroom: The Interactive Whiteboard, by Brittany L. Schenk, spring 2006

• Committee for design and grading of graduate comprehensive examinations-SUNY Cortland, 2005-2006

• Designed curriculum for Secondary Mathematics Education Program at Summit University, resulting in Pennsylvania Department of Education accreditation for the program, 2007-2008.

• Course Assessment Task Force, 2008- Present, Summit University • Committee Chair for redesign of Graduate School Capstone Project at Summit

University-Drafted guidelines for Capstone Project. • Redesigned graduate course in Educational Assessment for an online environment,

2010. • Instituted Placement Criteria for mathematics courses for incoming students. • Researched and instituted Mathematics Placement Examination at Summit

University. • Conducted preparation classes for Integration Bee held at the University of Scranton:

Spring 2013 and 2014. Technology: Familiar with Moodle, Blackboard, Geo-gebra, Geometer’s Sketchpad, TI-89, various web based programs (Wolfram, etc.) Courses Taught: Undergraduate

• Calculus 1-III • Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers • Developmental mathematics • Technical/Vocational mathematics • Consumer mathematics • College Algebra • Business Mathematics • Linear Algebra • Ordinary Differential Equations • Discrete Mathematics (Face to face and online) • College Geometry • Real Analysis • Abstract Algebra • Probability and Statistics (business; elementary; advanced) • Mathematical Problem Solving • Number Theory • Mathematics for High School Teachers • Methods of Teaching Mathematics in Middle and Secondary School

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Graduate

• Abstract Algebra for Teachers • Problem Solving Seminar • Geometry for Teachers • Research Methods in Education • Assessment of Learning • Logic and Critical Thinking

Other Experience

• Private tutor in high school and college mathematics, vocational mathematics, Regents Exams Preparation (NY State), ASVAB (Math content), etc.

• Facilitated Workshops to prepare future teachers for PRAXIS (both basic and upper level math content), PAPA, and Actuarial Exams.

• Facilitated Math Circle at Summit University, Academic year 2012-2013. • Significant experience with non-traditional students. • Experience writing problems and coaching for mathematics competitions.

Professional Memberships:

• Mathematical Association of America • American Mathematical Society • National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Other Interests:

• Technology in the classroom (especially TI-83 and TI-89) and Web-based programs. • Mathematics Education, both College and Pre-College • Online Mathematics Instruction • Educational Assessment • Writing and preparing Mathematics Contests • Mathematical Problem Solving

Language Skills:

• Fluent reading knowledge of German; Conversational German.

curriculum vita - dr. john best

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