Dr. Maria Timmerman, assistant professor of mathematics education, is this year’s recipient of the Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ William C. Lowry Outstanding Mathematics Educator of the Year Award for the university level.
Timmerman is program coordinator for the elementary and middle school mathematics master’s degree program, and she advises undergraduate liberal studies majors who plan to teach in grades prekindergarten-8. She teaches both undergraduate and graduate students.“She is a shining star whose enthusiasm is contagious,” said Dr. Virginia Lewis ’92 , a colleague on Longwood’s math faculty. “She is knowledgeable, energetic and cares about her students—whom she encourages to think in ways they haven’t thought before—and faculty colleagues. She is always helping somebody.”
Timmerman, who received the award March 14, uses an interactive approach in her teaching. “I don’t just lecture—I like group activities and good thinking questions,” she said. “In my classes, I like to build a learning community.”
Timmerman joined the Longwood faculty in 2008 after teaching at the University of Virginia, University of Northern Colorado, Aims Community College in Colorado and high schools in that state and her native Illinois. She also served as the worldwide K-12 mathematics coordinator for the Department of Defense Education Activity, a civilian agency of the U.S. Department of Defense for military dependents in the United States and overseas.