Dr. Melinda Knapp is interested in student learning and its connection to teacher development. With 15 years of K-12 mathematics classroom teaching and instructional coaching experiences, Dr. Knapp is particularly interested in how novice and expert teachers attend to students’ mathematical thinking through discourse with other students. Her focus is on how teachers learn to orchestrate discussions that will support deeper understanding of mathematics for students.

Dr. Knapp’s professional goals encompass creating opportunities for collaborating with teams of mathematics educators, practitioners, and school leaders in order to design innovative professional learning experiences and create vibrant intellectual communities for students and teachers. She strives to understand nuances of designing learning experiences for mathematics teachers and leaders that support the development of instructional practices that are productive for student learning.

Awards and Fellowships

Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (2010)
Teacher of the Year, Bend LaPine School District (2010-2011)
National Science Foundation/Robert Noyce – Master Teacher Fellowship (2009-2012)

Publications

Hintz, A., Gibbons, L., & Knapp, M. (accepted). Beyond the Right Answer. Educational Leadership, September 2015

Gibbons, L., & Knapp, M. (in press) Promoting Professional Dialogue and Growth: How Instructional Leaders Create Opportunities to Talk about Teaching and Learning. Journal of School Development, June 2015

Knapp, M. (in progress). Learning to be a teacher leader: Factors that hinder and support novice teacher leaders. To be submitted to Education Administration Quarterly

Selected Presentations

Knapp, M. (2015, May). "A Teaching/Leading/Coaching Story." Invited presentation at the AMTE/Brookhill Institute Mathematics Specialists/Coaches Research Conference

Knapp, M. (2015, February). "Teacher Leadership: (Re)shaping of an Identity." Presentation at the 19th Annual meeting of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators, Orlando, Florida

Knapp, M., & Doty, T. (2014, June). "Learning Walks: One School’s Story of Learning Together." Presentation at the Confederation of Oregon School Administrators Conference. Seaside, Oregon

Dick, T., & Knapp, M. (2011, March). "Studio Math Classroom: A Model for Developing Leadership, Mentoring, and Fostering Professional Learning." Presentation at the Western Regional Noyce Program Conference. Newport Beach, California

Knapp, M., Edmondson, S. & Nordquist, L. (2010, October) "Studio Classroom Project: A Successful Mathematics Professional Development Model." Presentation at the 2010 OASSA/OESPA Annual Principals Conference. Bend, Oregon

Foreman, L., & Knapp, M. (2010, July). "What are we Learning from the Studio Classroom Project?" Presentation at the fifth Annual Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program Conference. Washington, D.C.

Knapp, M., & McLain, J. (2008, October). "Discourse in Action: Analyzing the Teacher’s Role in Promoting Productive Mathematical Discourse." Presentation at the Northwest Mathematics Conference. Portland, Oregon