Rochelle Gutierrez facts for kids
Rochelle Gutierrez is a professor who teaches about education at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. She works to improve how math is taught, especially for students from different backgrounds. She also studies how things like race, social class, and language can affect learning.
Early Life and Education
Rochelle Gutierrez grew up in San Jose, California. She went to Stanford University and earned a degree in human biology in 1990. Later, she studied at the University of Chicago. There, she earned two more degrees: a master's in social sciences and a PhD in education. Her PhD research focused on making math education fair for everyone.
Career in Education
Professor Gutierrez has been working at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign since 1996. Her main work looks at how different parts of a person's identity, like their background or experiences (this is called intersectionality), can affect how they learn math.
Some of her research helps teachers learn how to better teach math to students who might not have had as many chances. She also studies how learning math can help students feel more confident and find their place in society. Professor Gutierrez believes that everyone should have the chance to succeed in math. She has said that sometimes, the idea of who is good at math or who develops new math ideas is often seen in a way that doesn't include everyone. Her goal is to make the world of math more open and welcoming to all students.
Awards and Recognition
Professor Gutierrez has received several awards for her important work:
- In 2010, she received the Outstanding Faculty Award for Service at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign.
- In 2011, she was given an award from the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators. This group recognizes teachers who are dedicated to making math education better.
- In 2016, she received the Iris M. Carl Equity and Leadership Award from TODOS Mathematics.
- In 2017, Professor Gutierrez received the Social Justice Award. This award is given to people who spend their time helping groups of people who are often treated unfairly.
- For the 2018-2019 school year, she received the Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign.
