Patrick Ocran

Educational Background

My experience as a Presidential Doctoral Research Fellowship (PDRF) has been invaluable, paving the way for me to become a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA). This role has provided me with opportunities to collaborate with esteemed researchers and professors who continue to mentor me throughout my Ph.D. journey. Working alongside these accomplished individuals has been inspiring, motivating me to excel in my academic pursuits. A standout experience was presenting at the University Council of Educational Administration (UCEA) and the Utah Council of Teachers of Mathematics (UCTM). More recently, I presented at the USU Empowering Teaching Excellence conference alongside my mentor, Dr. Lavigne. Our study on classroom discourse patterns, teacher factors, student outcomes, and instructional practices involving automated and technological tools has significantly influenced my current academic path and future aspirations. This experience has not only allowed me to exchange ideas and research interests but also facilitated the creation of substantial professional connections within the education domain. Under Dr. Lavigne's mentorship, I actively contributed to crafting grant, conference proposals and co-authoring articles. Moreover, as a GRA, I have taken on teaching responsibilities, engaged in projects I might not have otherwise been involved in, and collaborated with Dr. Kimberly Beck on Expansive Framing data coding. This collaboration led to a conference paper, and we have submitted another paper with Dr. Jessica Shumway, who has also been a valuable mentor. These experiences and networks have been instrumental in my professional development, preparing me for a career in academia or industry. One remarkable aspect of my journey has been the belief and confidence my professors have instilled in me.

Emphasis

Research Interests: Mathematics Teacher's Beliefs, Mathematics Teacher Education, Mathematics Classroom Discourse patterns, and Teacher Positioning on Students Mathematics Identity, and its impact on STEM. Faculty mentors: Dr. Katherine Vela and Dr. Alyson Lavigne