Lee Fothergill
Professor of Mathematics and Knights Program Academic Coordinator
Bio
Lee Fothergill joined the Division of Mathematics and Information Technology at Mount Saint Mary College in 2002, following 10 years of classroom teaching experience at the adolescence level. Professor Fothergill utilizes technology, hands-on experiments, projects, small group learning to develop a conceptual understanding in courses such as Calculus, Statistics, and History of Mathematics. His research interests include mathematics education with respect to teacher preparation. Moreover, he has an interest in the connection between the undergraduate mathematics curriculum and the K-12 curriculum to prepare future teachers for the challenges in the classroom.
Professor Fothergill was part of the Binghamton University’s Teacher Leader Quality Partnership (TLQP) project through the New York State Department of Education. The goal of this project was to strengthen mathematical understanding of New York’s eighth grade students through teachers’ professional development addressing New York State mathematics standards. The TLQP project focused on improving teachers’ (and ultimately students’) concepts tested on the New York State eighth-grade mathematics assessment. Professor Fothergill worked with middle school teachers to strengthen their foundation of mathematical concepts. Once a month, he led professional development workshops to address Newburgh City School District’s needs. During workshops, participants address pedagogical and curricular issues.
Professor Fothergill has become an advocate for service learning in mathematics at Mount Saint Mary College. He has facilitated activities with local school districts to create opportunities where students can volunteer their time and at the same time learn the skills needed to be a future teacher. These experiences give students the opportunity to hone both their teaching and mathematics skills. One service learning activity that he has established is the Bishop Dunn Math Club. Students teach non-traditional math lessons to grade 6-8 Bishop Dunn Middle School students. He was also one of the organizers when the education and mathematics department at MSMC sponsored a family math night at a local Newburgh elementary school. The MSMC future teachers who participated in this community event found this experience to be both rewarding and valuable to the students and parents who participated. He was an organizer in Temple Hill.
Professor Fothergill has installed Mount Saint Mary College as a chapter of the mathematics honor society, Kappa Mu Epsilon. KME was founded in 1931 to promote the interest of mathematics among undergraduate students. The honor society had their installation and first initiation ceremony on March 29, 2007. He is also their current advisor.
Degrees
Doctor of Mathematics Education, Columbia University
Master of Science, State University College of New York at Plattsburgh
Bachelor of Arts, State University College of New York at Plattsburgh
Courses
Precalculus
Modern Geometry
Memberships and Professional Associations
MAA - Mathematics Association of America
NCTM - National Council of the Teachers of Mathematics
Publications
- Fothergill, Lee, Jean Uwilingiyimana, and Cathy Collins. (2013) Core - Community Conditions Field Study. New York Governor's Office of Public Safety. City of Newburgh, NY.
- Fothergill, Lee. (2011). Aspects of Calculus for Pre-service Teachers. The Mathematics Educator. 21(1). [http://math.coe.uga.edu/tme/Issues/v21n1/v21n1.html]
- Fothergill, Lee & Daven, Mike. (2011). Math trails in Undergraduate Mathematics. New York State Mathematics Teacher Journal. 61(1):32-38.