Indira Gil has joined the Education Department as Lecturer in Education, following positions at Florida International University and Miami-Dade County and Broward County Public School systems, also in Florida. In our interview below, Indira tells us more about her research and what drew her to Brown University.

Welcome to Brown! You’ve joined the Department as Lecturer in Education after time at Florida International University. Why did you choose to come to Brown?

After working in the Miami-Dade and Broward public school systems, I saw a need for change in how we teach mathematics to our public-school students. As my doctoral studies came to an end, I searched for the right position. I was immediately impressed with the Department of Education and the MAT program at Brown University. I was drawn to the school’s mission to support diversity and inclusion in the classroom and the program’s focus on social justice. I found the values of the program, particularly asset-based learning and a multidimensional approach to teaching varying disciplines, aligned well with my beliefs about teaching and learning. When meeting Diane Silva Pimentel, Laura Snyder, and Jin Li and learning about their holistic approach to teaching prospective teachers, I knew I wanted to join the MAT team.   

Can you elaborate on your research focusing on mathematics and teacher education?

My research is on teacher agency. Using a phenomenographical methodology, I was able to explore how high school mathematics teachers enact and experience agency in their classrooms. I also examined the factors that may contribute to some teachers enacting a greater amount of agency than others. The knowledge I acquired through the analysis of this research has influenced my views of how to best educate prospective teachers on teaching mathematics for social justice. Not only do I believe teachers should include the utilization of mathematics as a powerful tool to respond to social justice, I also believe they play a crucial role in dismantling the systems of oppression that prevent so many of our inner-city students from succeeding academically. In the future, I would like to examine teachers as essential players in the development of curriculum and the formulation of policies.

As Lecturer in Education, you’ll be working closely with Master of Arts in Teaching students in the mathematics discipline, as well as undergraduates. What are you most looking forward to in working with Brown University students?

I love how the Master of Arts in Teaching program is designed. Each cohort is very small, with each discipline attending to three to seven students. Hence, each student receives a personalized education, something that is very difficult to come by. I am looking forward to working closely with my students, especially planning curricula using mathematics to explore, understand, and respond to social justice. At this time in our history, it is imperative that everyone do their part to change the racist narratives plaguing so many areas of our country. As mathematics educators, teaching for social justice is one way we can contribute to the fight.       

Is there anything local you’re excited to try or experience now that you relocated to Rhode Island?

My family and I love spending time outdoors. A misconception many people hold about life in south Florida is that you can spend time outdoors year-round. The reality is that the climate is so hot and humid, the only activities you can participate in are water based. Now that we are in Rhode Island we are enjoying bike rides and hikes, two activities we love but were only able to do in January when it was cool enough to spend time outside. We are also looking forward to experiencing the many amazing restaurants the state is known for, especially the ones that specialize in seafood.