Personal Statement

Improving the mathematical proficiency of all American students requires fundamental changes in the way mathematics education is conducted in the nation’s classrooms- changes that involve not only enriching instruction by expanding the range of pedagogical strategies employed and the range of topics and skills taught, but also in finding ways to connect the desired outcomes to children’s natural ways of thinking and reasoning and to their lives and experiences outside of school.  From an equity perspective, the challenge is to provide a new form of education in all schools, with special attention to those schools serving the children of the greatest need.—The QUASAR Project 

Professional Biography

For the past 21 years, Cindi Swingen has been a teacher in Colorado and Oregon. She has taught every grade from first through fifth and most recently, in addition to being a classroom teacher, has been an elementary math facilitator and taught parent education math classes for the Beaverton School District. Cindi has conducted numerous workshops in elementary school mathematics for experienced teachers, has served on the Beaverton Math Cadre and on Beaverton’s Math Project Team, and is a Critical Friends group member in Beaverton. She has published several articles with Lewis & Clark Professor Emeritus of Education Nancy Nagel and was successful in co-authoring a grant that provided funds for her school to provide after school enrichment and remediation programs.

Academic Credentials