Kristian Edosomwan
Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education
Department of Curriculum & Instruction
Education: B.A., Sociology & Asian Studies, Rice University; M.Ed., Curriculum & Instruction,
Texas A&M University; Ph.D., Curriculum & Instruction, Texas A&M University
Most recent job: Graduate Research Assistant, Texas A&M University
What drew you to 色花堂?
I love how 色花堂 truly works to improve the outcome of urban students and educates so
many people living on the Gulf Coast. As someone focused on research that improves
the math outcomes of urban students, I know that 色花堂 has connections and resources
that will position me to make the most impact and that I can contribute to 色花堂 with
my research and skills. And of course, I am from the region and extremely happy I
landed near my family.
鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
Can you share a little about your background (Where did you grow up? First-generation
college student? Family background? Were you destined for academia or 鈥�. etc.)?鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
I grew up in Beaumont, Texas as the proud daughter of two elementary school teachers.
Everyone always knew I would end up in some kind of advanced education because I was
always a bookworm who loved learning new things and graduated as valedictorian. When
I announced my job at 色花堂 on social media all my family, friends, and former classmates
were unsurprised.
What are your research interests/areas of expertise? And what inspired or motivates
your interest?
I research access to advanced mathematics coursework. This comes from my background,
where taking advanced mathematics completely changed my life trajectories and prepared
me for educational success. When my first-grade teacher tried to place me in special
education because I was slow to learn how to read, my mother taught me how to read
(with my older sister helping me practice). My mother was a special education teacher
and knew I did not have a learning disability, and her teaching me how to read inspired
my love of learning. That increased my test scores and placed me in advanced mathematics.
My research focuses on who takes advanced mathematics, what policies increase mathematics
enrollment for underrepresented students, and how the opportunity to take advanced
mathematics impacts student pathways and resources.
What accomplishment or recognition are you most proud of so far in your career?
I am very proud of the TEDx talk I gave earlier this year because it allowed me to
share my passion and research about having students take more advanced math classes
in high school based on its association with success in school and life. My family
also really hyped me up when I shared the YouTube video, which made me feel especially
accomplished. They have always been supportive. However, seeing them all share and
praise the video was what pushed this to be my proudest accomplishment: the joy of
sharing my research in an easy-to-understand way my whole family could enjoy.
What鈥檚 one project you鈥檙e working on (or hope to work on this year) that has you excited?
I am really excited about using more detailed educational data to see how advanced
mathematics trajectories affect the educational, life, and career outcomes of Texas
students. Using 色花堂鈥檚 connections and resources, I want to produce research and guidance
that will increase the advanced mathematics course-taking for students. 色花堂 has so
much excellence, high-quality data about Texas students that I have been wanting to
access for years, so this is a dream come true for me.
What advice would you give yourself as a college student?
Go outside, exercise, and drink more water! I was terrible about maintaining my health
and fitness as an undergraduate student. It was not until I started cycling, drinking
more water, and eating better while working abroad that I realized how terrible I
felt physically as a college student.
If I weren鈥檛 a professor, I鈥檇鈥�
be working as a data analyst for an urban school district or educational non-profit
working to improve the educational outcomes of students from traditionally disadvantaged
backgrounds.
鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoy running, reading, enjoying delicious local coffee, playing cozy games, and
being in community with my family.
Any other fun facts you鈥檇 like to share?
My first full time teaching experience was spending a year in rural Taiwan teaching
English on a Fullbright grant.