Mathematics and Statistics
Founders Hall, 2026
Ed.D. in Mathematics Education - University of Nebraska at Lincoln
M.A. in Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education with Mathematics Minor - University of Nebraska at Lincoln
B.S. in Teacher Education - University of Nebraska at Kearney
Previous Teaching Experience
I was previously an Assistant Professor at Washburn University in Topeka, KS where I taught Math Methods and practicum courses. Prior to working full-time in higher education, I taught ten years in the K-12 education system as a mathematics teacher and instructional coach. I also previously taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in the Education and Mathematics departments.
I am interested in how pre-service and in-service teachers learn how to teach mathematics with reasoning and sense making. My research interests range from professional development of effective mathematics teachers to instructional strategies for teaching specific math concepts to children. I am currently working to develop conceptual tasks related to using concrete manipulatives (such as pattern blocks) to develop fractional understanding.
Nebesniak, A. L. (in progress). From football to functions: Applying Osborne’s beliefs to instructional coaching.
Nebesniak, A. L. (under review). Mapping the mathematical terrain.
Nebesniak, A. L. & Burgoa, A. A. (To appear). Developing the vertex formula MEAN-ingfully. Mathematics Teacher.
Nebesniak, A. L. (2012). Effective instruction: A math coach’s perspective. Mathematics Teacher, 106 (5), 354-358.
Nebesniak, A. L. (2012). Learning to teach mathematics with reasoning and sense making. (A pdf of my dissertation can be found at http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cehsdiss/138/ .)
Nebesniak, A. L. & Heaton, R. M. (2010). Student confidence and student involvement. Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, 16 (2), 97-103.
Nebesniak, A. L. & Burgoa, A. A. (2013). Math: A not-so-universal language.National
Council of Teachers of Mathematics Regional Conference, Louisville, KY.
Nebesniak, A. L. & Berks, D. (2013). Racecars, pennies, and men with hats: Teaching algebra for understanding. National Council of Teacher of Mathematics Annual Conference, Denver, CO.
Nebesniak, A. L. (2012). Using content mapping to make instructional decisions. University of Nebraska, Algebra for Algebra Teachers, Lincoln, NE.
Nebesniak, A. L. & Parn, L. (2009). Using cooperative learning to engage students in mathematics. Invited talk at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Mathematics colloquium series.
Nebesniak, A. L. & Heaton, R. M. (2009). Using Cooperative Learning to Promote a Problem-Solving Classroom. Paper presented at symposium, Investigating rurality within mathematics education research using four qualitative studies of teachers’ practices and perspectives at the annual meeting of the American Education Research Association, San Diego, CA.