Two Baylor School of Education graduates were honored by the School Science and Mathematics Association (SSMA) at its fall conference. Dr. Ryann Shelton (PhD ’20) received the SSMA Early Career Scholar Award, and Dr. Melissa Donham (MA ’19, PhD ’23) received the Dissertation Award.

“The math education faculty are so proud of their work and impact in mathematics education,” said Dr. Trena Wilkerson, professor of mathematics education and chair of the Department of Curriculum & Instruction at Baylor. “It is an honor to work with such amazing students.”

MELISSA DONHAM — DISSERTATION AWARD

Dr. Melissa Donham, who earned her PhD at Baylor in 2023 in Curriculum & Teaching and an MA in 2019, has been assistant professor of education in the Department of Teaching & Learning at Sam Houston State University since fall of 2023. She teaches general education courses such as classroom management and the middle grades math methods course. She is currently the secretary of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators in Texas.

Her award-winning dissertation was titled “Opening Mathematics: A Multiple Case Study Exploring Algebra I Teachers’ Selection and Implementation of Open Tasks.” Donham wrote regarding open tasks, “This strategy is designed to challenge the view that mathematics is about following a procedure and getting one correct answer” and said that the assignment of open tasks can expand students’ view of mathematics.

Donham was nominated by Dr. Sandi Cooper, associate dean for undergraduate education for Baylor School of Education and professor of mathematics education. Cooper served as chair for Donham’s doctoral program committee and as faculty supervisor for her graduate assistantship.

Cooper said that Donham’s dissertation will contribute to the research regarding the use of open tasks, which are assignments where there may be many pathways to more than one outcome. Donham studied multiple teachers who had experience in assigning open tasks in math to see how they selected tasks, implemented tasks, and navigated challenges, concluding that both pre-service and practicing teachers need additional training in open-task instruction and for the mentorship to extend inside the classroom during implementation.

Donham said she is honored to receive the award and hopes that her research will contribute positively to the field of mathematics education. “My time at Baylor was filled with invaluable mentorship, growth, and support that shaped my research and passion for mathematics education,” she said. “I am especially grateful to Dr. Cooper for guiding me through the dissertation process and nominating me for this award. I also sincerely thank SSMA for recognizing this work.”

RYANN SHELTON — EARLY CAREER AWARD

The SSMA Early Career Scholar Award recognizes outstanding early career contributions (within seven years of receiving a doctoral degree) to the scholarship of science and/or mathematics education. Honoree Dr. Ryann Shelton earned her PhD in Curriculum & Teaching from Baylor in 2020 and was the recipient that year of the SSMA Dissertation Award. She is a lecturer in the Baylor School of Education’s EdD in Learning and Organizational Change online, which received the 2022 CPED (Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate) Program of the Year Award. Shelton earned her BA and MEd from Texas A&M University and was a high school math teacher and a secondary mathematics instructional specialist before her doctoral studies.

In the EdD program, Shelton teaches instructional design and several dissertation courses. She regularly advises students on their research, chairing and serving on numerous dissertation committees. She is an active member of SSMA and has served on the conference committee, published in SSMA’s journal, and reviewed manuscripts for publication. She also served the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators in Texas as secretary from 2021-24.

She continues to research key areas in mathematics and teacher education in varied methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative, working with colleagues to publish on topics around mathematics teaching practices, early number concepts, and lesson study. Further, she engages in a line of research related to dissertation writing self-efficacy with graduate faculty.

“As a graduate student at Baylor, I had outstanding mentors who taught me how to engage in research and the importance of connecting research and teaching,” Shelton said. “Now as a faculty member, I strive to support my students in thinking about the ways they can connect research, learning, and positive change with a focus on their workplaces and organizations.”

Shelton was nominated by Dr. Trena Wilkerson and Dr. Keith Kerschen, a Baylor SOE PhD graduate of 2018. Kerschen is associate professor of education at Concordia University, Nebraska, where he is also director of data and assessment in the Department of Education. Kerschen noted the impact of Shelton’s scholarship in the field of mathematics education, citing her studies related to the Mathematical Teaching Practices developed by NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) and her work in early number development. “This is a common theme in Dr. Shelton’s scholarship — impactful work that has implications for different groups related to mathematics education,” he said.

Kerschen said that Shelton reflects the sense of community and mentorship that SSMA promotes and that she encourages her students’ involvement in SSMA. “Several of her graduate students have presented sessions at SSMA Conventions and published in SSMJ (School Science and Mathematics Journal),” he said. “One of her publications with these students was the first ‘Innovation to Practice’ article published in SSMJ and was one of the most downloaded articles during its first 12 months,” he said.

Wilkerson, who was Shelton’s dissertation mentor, said she is honored to continue research collaborations with Shelton as a Baylor faculty colleague. “She exemplifies the kind of scholarly work recognized by this award,” Wilkerson said. “While this is a research award, Dr. Shelton is an outstanding, effective teacher. Her students often comment on her valued feedback and support.”

Shelton said she was honored to receive another award from SSMA, especially because this award reflects the work she does in partnership with and alongside her colleagues. She noted, “I would like to thank Dr. Keith Kerschen and Dr. Trena Wilkerson for their nomination, as well as SSMA for its recognition and support.”