Theresa Wills
Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education
George Mason University
4400 University Drive, 1E8
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Phone: 703-993-6215
EDUCATION
Ph.D., May 2015
Specialization in Mathematics Education Leadership
George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
M.Ed., May 2007
Education Leadership Specialization in Mathematics Education Leadership
George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
B.S., May 2004
Major: Mathematics Concentrations: Education, Computer Science
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
TEACHING
UNIVERSITY TEACHING EXPERIENCES
Assistant Professor, Mathematics Education (Fall 2016 - Present)
College of Education & Human Development, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
Adjunct Professor, Mathematics Education (Summer 2007 - Fall 2015)
College of Education & Human Development, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
COURSES TAUGHT
Mathematics Education Leadership; George Mason University
MATH 600 - COMPLETE Math – Rational Numbers for Math Specialists
MATH 600 - Mathematical Models in the Middle School
MATH 600 - Rational Numbers and Proportional Reasoning for K-8 Teachers
MATH 610 – Number and Number Sense for K-8 Teachers
MATH 611 - Geometry and Measurement for K-8 Teachers
MATH 612 – Probability and Statistics for K-8 Teachers
MATH 613 - Algebra/Functions for K-8 Teachers
MATH 614 - Rational Numbers for K-8 Teachers
EDCI 644 - Mathematics Learning and Assessment (K-8)
EDCI 645 - Curriculum Development in Mathematics Education
EDCI 646 - Mathematics Education Leadership for School Change
EDCI 666 – Mathematics Education Research
Elementary Education; George Mason University
EDCI 702 - Internship in Mathematics Education Leadership
EDCI 547 - Integrating Technology in Elementary Classrooms: Mathematics
EDCI 552 - Mathematics Methods for the Elementary Classroom
ELED 552 - Mathematics Methods for the Elementary Classroom
Secondary Education; George Mason University
EDCI 472 - Advanced Methods of Teaching Mathematics in the Secondary School
EDCI 672 - Advanced Methods of Teaching Mathematics in the Secondary School
Fast Train Program for International Studies in Education; George Mason University
EDUC 513 - Teaching Mathematics in International Settings
Teach For America; George Mason University
EDCI 552 - Mathematics Methods for the Elementary Classroom
Algebra and AFDA Teachers and Leaders; University of Virginia
21st Century Algebra
PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Mathematics Instructional Coach, 2015 - 2016
Barcroft Elementary School, Arlington Public Schools
● Supported teachers with implementation of rich tasks and student discourse.
● Coached K – 5 teachers for best teaching practices while supporting them through planning, co-teaching, and creative use of manipulatives.
Technology Integration Specialist, 2011-2012
George Washington Middle School, Alexandria City Public Schools
● Coached teachers in lesson planning and implementation of technology in their classroom.
● Co-taught classes with teachers demonstrating technology integration.
Mathematics Instructional Coach, 2008 – 2011
Francis C. Hammond M.S. & George Washington M.S., Alexandria City Public Schools
● Coached middle school math teachers for best teaching practices while supporting them through planning, co-teaching, and creative use of manipulatives.
● Created and sustained Math Learning Teams based upon the Lesson Study model.
● Coached middle school teachers on classroom discourse as part of a school wide professional development course.
Cooperating Teacher, 2007 – 2008
College of Education, Gallaudet University
● Mentored a student teacher from Gallaudet University.
Mathematics Teacher, 2004 – 2008
Francis C. Hammond Middle School, Alexandria City Public Schools
● Taught grades 6-8 mathematics, Algebra, and Geometry.
● Taught Math and Technology for STEM summer school.
● Mathematics Department Chair.
CURRENT CERTIFICATIONS and ENDORSEMENTS
Collegiate Professional License: Mathematics 6-12;
Virginia Mathematics Specialist Leader K-8 Endorsement; Virginia
GRANTS
CEHD Seed Innovations Grant for middle grades mathematics program - $9,186.50
● Awarded to begin a new middle grades mathematics program at George Mason University.
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Computer and Technology Grant
● Awarded 30 laptop and 5 desktop computers for Francis C. Hammond MS.
Alion Science and Technology Education Grant - $5,000
● Awarded $5,000 to purchase student response systems, LCD projectors, and document cameras.
DonorsChoose.org - $6,557
● Engineering Through Renewable Resources. Awarded $454 in supplies to support an after school club.
● Look at What I Know, Look at My Math Portfolio. Awarded over $1,500 in supplies to create mathematics manipulatives, foldables, and colorful portfolios.
● Engineering is for Girls. Awarded $334 in supplies to support an after school club.
● Exploring Math Through Art. Awarded $501 in supplies to support classrooms.
● Building Engineers Through Logic Games. Awarded over $300 in logic games to support classrooms and an after school club.
● Laminated Math Games = Fun Squared. Awarded $159 in materials to create laminated math games.
● Math is Fun with Games. Awarded $175 in laminating materials.
● Please, May I Borrow a Pencil? Awarded $157 in pencils and erasers for students.
● Girls Engineering Club. Awarded $290 in K’NEX bridge building materials for a student club.
● Classic Board Games Club. Awarded $202 in traditional board games for a student club.
● Girls Aeronautical Engineering Club. Awarded $251 in K’NEX aeronautical engineering materials for a student club.
● No More Stubby Crayons and Pencils. Awarded $336 in basic school supplies for students in need.
● Do You Want to Build a Snowman? Awarded $311 in warm gloves for students in need.
● Look at What I Know, Look at My Math Portfolio II. Awarded $215 in materials to create student portfolios.
● Board Game Club. Awarded $395 in logic board games for students in grades K-5 to begin a student club.
● We are Girls and We are Engineers! Awarded $366 in K’NEX roller coaster materials for a student club.
● Minecraft - Coding and Reading Made Fun. Awarded $411 in Minecraft books and Legos for a student club.
● Math is Fun with Games II. Awarded $200 in materials for math games.
INVITED INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES
Wills, T. (2020, April) Synchronous online classrooms that don’t compromise great pedagogy. Presented at the 31st International Conference of the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education, Virtual.
Wills, T. (2020, April) Maximizing student voice in a synchronous online classroom. Presented at the 31st International Conference of the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education, Virtual.
Wills, T. (2020, April) Strategies to make your synchronous online classroom better than F2F. Presented at the 31st International Conference of the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education, Virtual.
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS AND WORKSHOPS
Wills, T. (2020, October). Promoting Equity in Remote Instruction. Presented at the annual meeting of the Association of State Supervisors of Mathematics, Virtual.
Wills, T. (2020, October). Rich Math Tasks & Five Practices in Online Teaching. Presented at the annual Virginia Council of Mathematics Specialists Conference, Virtual.
Dykema, K., Nguyen, F., Wills, T., Champagne, Z., Towle, S., & Berry, M. (2020, July). What should math learning look like when we get back to school? Webinar series: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics 100 days of professional learning, Virtual.
Wills, T. (2020, May). Rich math tasks & 5 practices in online teaching. Webinar presented by the Global Mathematics Department. Retried from: https://www.bigmarker.com/GlobalMathDept/Rich-Math-Tasks-5-Practices-in-Online-Teaching on 5/27/2020.
Wills, T. (2020, March). Rich math tasks & 5 practices in online teaching. Webinar presented by the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators. Retrieved from: https://amte.net/content/synchronous-online-instruction%E2%80%94special-two-part-webinar on 5/27/2020.
Wills, T. (2019, November). Analysis of Mathematical Representations in a Synchronous Online Mathematics Content Course. Paper presented at the 41st Annual Conference of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, St. Louis, MO.
Cook Eatmon, C., Baker, C. K., Morrow-Leong, K. & Wills, T. (2019, November). Strategies for number talks as a high-leverage method to foster equity in diverse classrooms. Paper presented at the 41st Annual Conference of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, St. Louis, MO.
Baker, C. K., Galanti, T., Bitto, L. E., Wills, T., & Cook Eatmon, C. (2019, November). Acquiring a stance on equity and social justice within an online mathematics specialist program. Paper presented at the 41st Annual Conference of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, St. Louis, MO.
Wills, T. (2019, October). Balancing the demands of coaching grades 3-6 with the needs of grades K-2. Presented at the Virginia Council of Mathematics Specialists Conference, Stafford, VA.
Wills, T. (2019, September). Synchronous online learning: tips & tricks from 9 years of experience. Presented at Innovations in Teaching and Learning Conference, Fairfax, VA.
Wills, T. & Eaglen, A. (2019, March). Cultivating school communities with literacy and math infused tasks. Presented at the Mason’s Coaching Institute for Math and Literacy, Manassas, VA.
Baker, C. K., Bitto, L., Wills, T., Galanti, T. M., & Eatmon, C. (2019, February). Developing leaders through self-study research: an analysis of field experience in a mathematics specialist program. Presented at the 23rd annual meeting of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators, Orlando, FL.
Wills, T. & Baker, C. (2018, September) Engaging Students with Synchronous Online Learning Activities. Presented at Innovations in Teaching and Learning Conference, Fairfax, VA.
Wills, T. & Rawding, M.R. (2018, April). Positive and productive coaching mindsets. Presented at the annual meeting of the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics, Washington, DC.
Wills, T. (2018, March). Positive and productive coaching. Presented at the annual meeting of the Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Radford, VA.
Wills, T. (2018, March). Probability & statistics tasks for the new standards that promote discourse. Presented at the annual meeting of the Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Radford, VA.
Wills, T. (2018, March). Algebra tasks for the new standards that promote discourse. Presented at the annual meeting of the Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Radford, VA.
Wills, T. (2018, March). Geometry tasks for the new standards that promote discourse. Presented at the annual meeting of the Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Radford, VA.
Wills, T. (2018, April). Coaching collaboratively with administration. Presented at the Mason Institute for Math and Literacy, Fairfax, VA.
Wills, T. & Baker, C.K. (2017, September). Strategies to make online teaching better than face-to-face. Presented at the annual Innovations in Teaching and Learning conference, Fairfax, VA.
Wills, T. (2017, March). Positive and productive coaching. Presented at the annual Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference, Harrisonburg, VA.
Wills, T. (2017, March). Making connections during math discourse – Interactive algebra. Presented at the annual Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference, Harrisonburg, VA.
Wills, T. (2017, March). Making connections during math discourse – Interactive fractions. Presented at the annual Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference, Harrisonburg, VA.
Wills, T. (2017, March). Making connections during math discourse – Interactive patterns. Presented at the annual Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference, Harrisonburg, VA.
Wills, T. (2016, September). Bringing home the five practices. Presented at the annual Virginia Council of Mathematics Specialists Conference, Culpeper, VA.
Wills, T. (2016, March). Connecting discourse. Presented at the annual Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Regional Conference, Stafford, VA.
Wills, T. (2016, March). A picture is worth 1,000 words. Presented at the annual Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference, Stafford, VA.
Wills, T. (2016, March). Morenipulatives. Presented at the annual Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference, Stafford, VA.
Wills, T., Alvi, A. & Sinclair, L. (2016, March). Unwrapping connections during mathematics discourse. Presented at Arlington Public School Syphax Learning Center, Arlington, VA.
Wills, T. & Bailey, P. (2015, March). Using rich tasks and student work in content learning teams. Presented at the George Mason University Mathematics Specialist Institute, Fairfax, VA.
Wills, T. (2014, August). Math talk with meaningful connections. Presented at Manassas City Public Schools Professional Development Day, Metz Middle School, Manassas City, VA.
Wills, T. (2011, March). A picture’s worth 1,000 words. Presented at the annual Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference, Harrisonburg, VA.
Wills, T. (2011, March). Getting kids to think, talk and problem solve in 20 days. Presented at the annual Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference, Harrisonburg, VA.
Wills, T. & Burnie, S. (2010, August). Lenses on learning. Presented at Alexandria City Public Schools Professional Development Day for Principals and Administrators, Alexandria, VA.
Wills, T. & Rothermel, M. R. (2010, March). Morenipulatives. Presented at the annual Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference, Richmond, VA.
Wills, T. & Baker, C. K. (2010, March). Six ways glogs help to activate background knowledge. Presented at the annual Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Regional Conference, Prince William, VA.
Wills, T. & Dyas, R. (2009, March). Fifty games, sorts, and foldables. Presented at the annual Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference, Virginia Beach, VA.
Wills, T. (2009, September). Developing mathematical ideas – Patterns, functions and change. Workshop series presented at George Washington Middle School and Francis C. Hammond Middle School, Alexandria, VA.
Wills, T. (2008, September). Discourse. Workshop series presented at George Washington Middle School, Alexandria, VA.
Williamson, P., Murphy, R., Wills, T. & Kulick, J. (2008, September). Graphic organizers. Presented at Francis C. Hammond Middle School, Alexandria City, VA.
Wills, T. (2007, April). Primary source learning through the Library of Congress. Presented at Tuckahoe Elementary School, Arlington, VA.
Wills, T. (2006, November). Primary source learning through the Library of Congress. Presented at Alexandria City Public Schools Technology Training Center, Alexandria, VA.
Wills, T. (2006, August). Primary source learning through the Library of Congress. Presented at Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax, VA.
Wills, T. (2005, August). Differentiation in the classroom. Presented at Francis C. Hammond Middle School, Alexandria, VA.
PUBLICATIONS
Wills, T. (2020) Online math discourse: Can the five practices work? Corwin Connect. Retrieved from: https://corwin-connect.com/2020/03/online-math-discourse-can-the-five-practices-work/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=SAGE_social&utm_content=corwinpress&utm_term=31efd239-f28e-443b-80e4-7752a8788952 on 05/23/2020.
Rawding, M. & Wills, T. (2019). Discourse: simple moves that work. In The best of TCM, MTMS, and MT on questions, discourse, and evidence. Reston, VA: NCTM.
Wills T. & Rawding M. (2019). Positive & productive coaching: An interview protocol and systematic approach for creating coaching goals. NCSM Journal 20(1), 3-9.
Wills, T. (2019). Cultivating school communities with vertical mathematics tasks. Virginia Mathematics Teacher 45(2), 43-47.
Baker, C. K., Bitto, L., Wills, T., Galanti, T. M., & Eatmon, C. (2018). Developing teacher leaders through self-study: A mathematics education field experience. In Hodges, T. E., & Baum, A. (Eds.). Handbook of Research on Teacher Education (pp. 635-658). Hershey, PA: IGI Global.
Wills, T. (2015). Use of strategy maps and virtual coaching: A case study of a teacher’s development of connections in middle grades mathematics. Doctoral Dissertation, George Mason University. Dissertation chair: Dr. Jennifer Suh.
Baker, C.K. & Wills, T. (2012). Have you used a glog yet? Teaching Children Mathematics, 19(5), 324-327.
Rawding, M. & Wills, T. (2012). Discourse: simple moves that work. Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, 18(1), 47-51.
Suh, J.M., Seshaiyer, P., Leong, K., Freeman, P., Corcoran, M., Meints, K., & Wills, T. (November, 2012). Fostering Strategic Competence for Teachers through Modeling Rational Numbers Problem Tasks. In Van Zoest, L. R., Lo, J.H., & Kratky, J.L.(Eds.). Proceedings of the 34th Annual Meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education. (pp. 474-481). Kalamazoo, MI.
Wills, T. & Rothermel, M.R.(2011). Ten strategies for maximizing opportunity with instructional coaching. Virginia Mathematics Teacher. 38(1), 29-31.
Wills, T. & Williams, L. (2007). Integers part I. Virginia Department of Education, Richmond, VA.
Wills, T. & Williams, L. (2007). Integers part II. Virginia Department of Education, Richmond, VA.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Online Synchronous Teaching
● I regularly teach synchronous online courses for master’s students in the Mathematics Education Leadership program. I am interested in identifying TPACK routines that support learners better through synchronous online learning than face-to-face. I have drafted a manuscript for publication titled: Online synchronous teaching – strategies that work. I also presented my research on synchronous online teaching at the Innovations in Teaching & Learning Conference at George Mason University in 2017-2019.
The Five Practices of Orchestrating Mathematics Discourse – Connections
● During my dissertation, I researched how Connections Maps were used to reveal connections between student works during math discourse. I have presented on this topic eleven times in both courses and conferences. I am completing a manuscript for publication titled: Connections Maps – models to create meaningful connections in the mathematics class.
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
Course Designer for Accreditation, 2016 - 2017
George Mason University
● Designed rubrics to meet CAEP standards.
● Designed Project Based Assessments for five courses to meet CAEP standards.
Course Curriculum Designer, 2012
University of Virginia
● Gathered resources and represented middle school math teachers on a panel of curriculum designers for the Probability and Statistics course for Math Specialists.
Curriculum Designer, 2010-2012
Alexandria City Public Schools
● Created and designed the curriculum used for middle school mathematics (6-8).
AWARDS
ExxonMobil Math Specialist Excellence Award, George Mason University, 2006.
● Awarded for outstanding academic record in the Math Specialist Leadership Program.
MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators
National Council for Supervisors of Mathematics
National Council for Teachers of Mathematics
Virginia Council for Teachers of Mathematics (board member & conference chair)
Virginia Council for Mathematics Specialist