Biographical Sketch: Lawrence M. Lesser (http://www.math.utep.edu/Faculty/lesser) May 2017

a. Professional Preparation

Rice University / B.A. in Mathematics;
B.A. in Mathematical Sciences / 1982-1986
The University of Texas at Austin / M.S. in Statistics;
Ph.D. in Mathematics Education / 1986-1994

b. Appointments

University of Texas at El Paso / Assoc. Professor; (Full) Prof. since 2011 / 2004 – present
Armstrong Atlantic State Univ. / Associate Professor / 1999-2004
University of Northern Colorado / Assistant Professor / 1994-1999
St. Edward’s University / Lecturer / 1990-1993
Southwestern University / Instructor / 1992
Texas Legislative Council / Statistician / 1990-1991
University of Texas at Austin / Lecturer/Coordinator/Assistant Instructor / 1988-1990

c. Selected Publications (out of 100+ peer-reviewed/refereed papers and books)

Mocko, M., Lesser, L., Wagler, A., & Francis, W. (2017). Assessing effectiveness of mnemonics for

tertiary students in a hybrid introductory statistics course. J. of Statistics Education, 25(1), 2-11.

Lesser, L.M., Wagler, A.E. & [grad.student] Salazar, B. (2016). Flipping Between Languages? An

Exploratory Analysis of the Usage by Spanish-Speaking English Language Learner Tertiary

Students of a Bilingual Probability Applet. Statistics Education Research Journal, 15(2), 145-168.

Lesser, L. & Wagler, A. (2016). Mathematics, statistics, and (Jewish) culture: Reflections on connections.

J, of Mathematics and Culture, 10(2), 127-156. [chosen for republication in book by Skye’s the Limit]

Lesser, L.M., Pearl, D.K., & Weber, J.J. (2016). Assessing Fun Items’ Effectiveness in Increasing

Learning of College Introductory Statistics Students: Results of a Randomized Experiment, Journal of

Statistics Education, 24(2), 54-62.

Lesser, L.M., An, S., & Tillman, D.A. (2016). The Use of Song to Open an Educational Development

Workshop: Exploratory Analysis and Reflection. To Improve the Academy, 35(2), 284-302.

Lesser, L.M., & Wagler, A. E. (2016). Tools for Assessing Readability of Statistics Teaching Materials,

Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 35(2), 153-171.

Lesser, L. (2015). Learning Language: A Mathematics Educator’s Reflection on Empathy and Privilege,

Teaching for Excellence and Equity in Mathematics, 6(1), 25-32.

Lesser, L., Wagler, A. & Abormegah, P. (2014). Finding a happy median: Another balance representation

for measures of center. Journal of Statistics Education, 22(3), 1-27.

Lesser, L. (2014). Mathematical lyrics: Noteworthy endeavours in education. Journal of Mathematics and

the Arts, 8(1-2), 46-53.

Lesser, L. (2014). Staring down stereotypes. Mathematics Teacher, 107(8), 568-571.

Lesser, L., Wagler, A., Esquinca, A., & Valenzuela, M. G. (2013). Survey of native English speakers and

Spanish-speaking English language learners in tertiary introductory statistics. Statistics Education Research Journal, 12(2), 6-31.

Robertson, W. & Lesser, L. (2013). Scientific skateboarding and mathematical music: Edutainment that

actively engages middle school students. European J. of Science and Mathematics Education, 1(2), 60-8.

Lesser, L. et al. (2013). Using fun in the statistics classroom: An exploratory study of college instructors’

hesitations and motivations. Journal of Statistics Education, 21(1), 1-33.

Lesser, L. (2013; 2009). 4 chapters in Freeman liberal-arts-math text For All Practical Purposes(8e & 9e)

Lesser, L. & Guthrie, J. (2012). Uncommon Connections with Common Numerators. PRIMUS, 22(8), 634-42.

Lesser, L. & Kephart, K. (2011) Setting the tone: A discursive case study of problem-based inquiry learn-

ing to start a graduate statistics course for in-service teachers. J. of Statistics Education, 19(3), 1-29. [won best paper award at 2012 International Sun Conference on Teaching and Learning]

Lesser, L. (2010; invited). Equity and the increasingly diverse tertiary student population: challenges and

opportunities in statistics education. Proceedings of 8th Int’l. Conf. on Teaching Statistics (6 pp.).

Lesser, L. (2010). Sizing Up Class Size: A Deeper Classroom Investigation of Central Tendency.

Mathematics Teacher, 103(5), 376-380.

Lesser, L. & Winsor, M. (2009). English language learners in introductory statistics: Lessons learned

from an exploratory case study of two pre-service teachers. Statistics Ed. Research J., 8(2), 5-32.

Tchoshanov, M., Lesser, L., & Salazar, J. (2008). Teacher Knowledge and Student Achievement:

Revealing Patterns. Journal of Mathematics Education Leadership, 10(2), 38-48.

Kosheleva, O.; Lesser, L.; Munter, J.; Trillo, S. (2008). Parent Power Nights: A Vehicle for Engaging

Adults/Families in Learning Mathematics. Adults Learning Mathematics Int’l J., 3(2b), 36-52.

Lesser, L. & Melgoza, L. (2007). Simple Numbers: ANOVA Example of Facilitating Student Learning

in Statistics. Teaching Statistics, 29(3), 102-105.

Lesser, L. (2007). Critical Values and Transforming Data: Teaching Statistics with Social Justice.

Journal of Statistics Education, 15(1), 1-21. [chosen for 2016-17 8-organization equity webinar series]

Lesser, L. (2007). Using Graphing Calculators to Do Statistics. Mathematics Teacher, 100(5), 375-378.

Lesser, L. & Tchoshanov, M.(2006) Selecting Representations. Texas Mathematics Teacher,53(2), 20-26.

Lesser, L. Nordenhaug, E. (2004). Ethical Statistics and Statistical Ethics: Making an Interdisciplinary

Module. J. of Statistics Education, 12(3). www.amstat.org/publications/jse/v12n3/lesser.html

Lesser, L. (2001). Representations of Reversal: An Exploration of Simpson’s Paradox. In A. Cuoco & F.

Curcio (Eds.), The Roles of Representation in School Mathematics, 129-145. Reston,VA: NCTM.

Lesser, L. (1999). Investigating the Role of Standards-Based Education in a Pre-Service Secondary Math

Methods Course. In M.L. Powers & N.K. Hartley (Eds.), Promoting Excellence in Teacher Prepara-

tion: Undergraduate Reforms in Mathematics and Science, pp. 53-64. Ft. Collins: Colorado State U.

Mayes, R. & Lesser, L. (1998). ACT in Algebra: Applications, Concepts, and Technology in Learning

Algebra [college algebra text]. Burr Ridge, IL: McGraw-Hill.

Lesser, L. (1998). Countering Indifference Using Counterintuitive Examples. Teaching Statistics, 20(1),

10-12. [selected for republication in Induzioni and in Getting the Best from Teaching Statistics]

d. Synergistic Activities

1. served/serving as Editor or Assoc./Asst.Ed of TODOS’ Teaching for Excellence and Equity in Mathematics, ASA’s Journal of Statistics Education, IASE’s Statistics Education Research Journal

2. appointed service on national Research Advisory Board of Consortium for the Advancement of Undergraduate Statistics Education, 2005-2009; elected to position in American Statistical Association (Stat. Ed. section Publications Chair, 2011-2013) and National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (Professional Development Services Committee member); program committee for state (CCTM), regional (MAA, WeSTCo, Sun Conference), and national (US Conference on Teaching Statistics) conferences

3. Scholarship/teaching/contest awards from MAA Southwestern Section (2010), UT System Regents (2011), Int’l Sun Conference on Teaching and Learning (2012), SIGMAA-QL (2012), ASA (2013), CAUSE (2013, 2015), MoMath (2015), Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation (2016)

4. From Jan. 1, 2014 through Sept. 2016, I directed UTEP’s campus-wide teaching center (CETaL).

Selected FUNDED projects

PI of NSF DUE (EAGER) grant funded for Sept. 2015-Aug. 2018, $89,366

PI of NSF DUE (TUES-Type I) grant funded for Aug. 2012 - July 2016, $64,474 (12% acceptance rate)

PI writing shared equally with M. Tchoshanov for “Improving Student Achievement in Mathematics

Through Professional Development Partnership,” Texas Education Agency, $132,380, 2005-07.

co-PI on 3 Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Teacher Quality grants (with M. Tchoshanov or

with O. Kosheleva), totalling $254,304.00 since 2006