W. JAMES LEWIS, PhD
Professor - Department of Mathematics
Director - Center for Science, Mathematics, and Computer Education
302 Avery
University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0130
(402) 472-7243
Biography
Dr. Lewis is a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Director of the Center for Science, Mathematics, and Computer Education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dr. Lewis is an award winning teacher and an elected member of UNL's Academy of Distinguished Teachers . Under his leadership as chair, his department won the University of Nebraska's 1998 University-wide Departmental Teaching Award and a 1998 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. Dr. Lewis has also received awards from the UNL Chancellor's Commission on the Status of Women and the Lincoln-Lancaster County Women's Commission for his support of opportunities for women in the mathematical sciences. He was a co-PI for the Nebraska Math and Science Initiative, Nebraska's NSF-funded SSI, and for Math Matters, an NSF grant to revise the mathematics education of future elementary school teachers at UNL. Currently, he is lead PI for Math in the Middle Institute Partnership, and NSF-funded MSP award.
Dr. Lewis is a member of the National Research Council's Mathematical Sciences Education Board and chair of the MAA's Coordinating Council on Education. He was chair of the Steering Committee that produced the CBMS report, The Mathematical Education of Teachers , co-chair of the NRC Committee that produced Educating Teachers of Science, Mathematics, and Technology: New Practices for the New Millennium, and a member of the AMS Task Force that produced Towards Excellence: Leading a Doctoral Mathematics Department in the 21st Century . Dr. Lewis received his PhD in mathematics from Louisiana State University.
Recent Publications
Journal Articles
Lewis, W. J. (2004). Mentoring: The Chair's role and responsibility, leading mathematical sciences departments. MAA Notes, 112-114.
Lewis, W .J., & Heaton, R. (2002). Working together: One example. The mathematical preparation of elementary teachers: Proceedings of the Michigan Mathematics Forum. Michigan State University, 51-63.
Lewis, W. J. (2001). Reaction to the presentation by Deborah Ball and Hyman Bass, Knowing and Learning Mathematics for Teaching: Proceedings of a Workshop. National Academy Press, 35-37.
Lewis, W. J. (2001). The mathematical education of teachers. CBMS series on Issues in Mathematics Education, 11.
Lewis, W. J. (2001). Spotlight on teaching. AMS Notices, 48, 4, 396-403.
Lewis, W. J., & Heaton, R. (2001). Strengthening the mathematics education of elementary school teachers. Proceedings of the National Summit on the Mathematical Education of Teachers, CBMS. Available at www.cbmsweb.org/NationalSummit/WG_Speakers/heaton_lewis.htm
Lewis, W. J. (2000). Educating teachers of science, mathematics, and technology: New practices for the new millennium, National Academy Press.
Research Projects
| Math in the Middle Institute Partnership | |
| NSF | |
| Role: Co-PI | 2004-2009 |
| Graduate Assistantships in Areas of National Need | |
| U.S. Department of Education | |
| Role: Co-PI | 2003-2006 |
| National Summit on the Mathematical Education of Teachers | |
| NSF | |
| Role: Co-PI | 2001 |
| Math Matters: Improving Elementary Mathematics | |
| NSF | |
| Role: Co-PI | 2000-2003 |
| Mathematical Education of Teachers Project | |
| U. S. Department of Education | |
| Role: Project Director | 1997-2001 |
| Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching | |
| Carnegie Initiative | |
| Role: Leadership Team | |
| Preparing Mathematicians to Educate Teachers (PMET) | |
| NSF | |
| Role: Nebraska State Coordinator | |
