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Background

Amber Simpson joined the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership in 2017. She received her undergraduate degree in Mathematics, Secondary Education from East Tennessee State University, and her Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Specialist degree in Education Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.

Simpson spent five years as a high school mathematics teacher in Tennessee before returning to Clemson University to receive her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction, Mathematics Education.

Simpson’s general research focus is to understand ways to increase the number of individuals from socially excluded groups entering and pursuing pathways toward STEM careers, including technicians and other middle-skills workers, as well as those who seek advanced degrees. She further supports her research through providing STEM activities and events for children and their families in the community.

Education

• PhD, Clemson University
• MEd, Lincoln Memorial University
• BS, East Tennessee State University

Research Interests

• Examining individual’s identity(ies) in one or more STEM disciplines
• Understanding the role of making and tinkering in formal and informal learning environments
• Investigating family engagement in and interactions around STEM-related activities
• Examining spontaneous and humanistic approaches to mathematics through other fields such as archaeology and engineering
• Utilizing self-study methodology to examine her own practices as an educator and researcher

Teaching Interests

• Educational research

• Challenging traditional instructional approaches to teaching mathematics

• Disrupting what it means to be mathematically “smart”

• Developing reflective and critically conscious educators

Research Profile

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