The Magic of Math: Pi Day, Myth-Busting and More with Hillary Sessions

Each year, the arrival of the 14th day of March, or  3.14, is celebrated as Pi Day, in honor of the number Pi, which has been used by mathematicians throughout history. Pi Day is a time to honor the importance of math through events and conversations such as today’s episode. We are joined by Hillary Sessions, Director of Mathematics at UNC Pembroke, for a conversation about how UNCP is addressing the challenges brought about by the learning interruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic, the development of new math curriculum, her own research into learning strategies, and what UNCP is doing to involve the community in the Pi Day celebrations. We even found time to bust some math myths!

Hillary Sessions was raised in Richmond County, NC, attended Richmond Senior High, and earned her B.S. in Mathematics from UNC Wilmington. She taught math at Scotland High School in Laurinburg, NC, where she fell in love with teaching and coaching volleyball. After working as a mathematics teacher, instructional coach, technology integration coach, beginning teacher mentor, mathematics department head, and volleyball coach, she earned her Master of Science in Mathematics Education from UNC Pembroke. Mrs. Sessions came to UNCP as a member of the faculty in 2019, works as the Director of Mathematics, and has also served as the Graduate Program Coordinator for Mathematics Education, Mathematics Placement Test Coordinator, Chair of the Mathematics Curriculum Committee, and as an Academic Advisor. 

Mrs. Sessions is attending North Carolina State University, earning a Doctor of Philosophy in Teaching and Learning in STEM Education with a Concentration in Mathematics. Her research centers undergraduate student success in mathematics, helping students break down barriers of understanding in their math coursework. Research-based strategies focus on course sequencing and structure, integrating organizational and study skills into curriculum, focusing on conceptual understanding and alternative forms of assessment, fostering collaboration and communication, and adopting self-directed learning methods. For her dissertation, she designed a convergent parallel mixed methods study, concentrating on the impact collaboration can have in undergraduate mathematics courses on student achievement, mathematical anxiety, and motivation. She will graduate with her PhD in Spring 2024. 

Find the episode transcript here

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