Dr. Ford is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK).  She has a doctorate degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) in mathematics.  At UNK, Dr. Ford teaches math content courses for preservice elementary teachers and math content and math methods courses for preservice secondary math teachers.  Her teaching experience also includes teaching courses for practicing middle school math teachers in a masters degree program at UNL and practicing high school math teachers in a masters degree program at UNK.  Dr. Ford is the governor for the Nebraska/SE South Dakota Section of the Mathematical Association of America and first vice president for the Nebraska Association of Teachers of Mathematics. In 2008, she founded the Central Nebraska Math Teachers’ Circle to encourage area middle school math teachers to bring problem solving into their classrooms.Her research interests include the mathematical preparation of elementary teachers and graph theory.

Dr. Strawhecker is an Associate Professor and Assistant Chair of Teacher Education at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She has a doctorate degree in Teaching, Curriculum and Learning with an emphasis in K-8 mathematics education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her teaching responsibilities include teaching undergraduate and graduate level mathematics education courses and supervising mathematics field experiences in area K-8 schools. Dr. Strawhecker serves as the Elementary Representative for the Nebraska Association of Teachers of Mathematics and also on the Central Nebraska Math Teachers’ Circle committee. Her research interests include: the mathematical preparation of elementary teachers, the role of discourse in mathematics classrooms, and alternative methods of assessment in mathematics classrooms.