Nicholas Branca

Co-Principal Investigator, Mathematics Renaissance K–12 (MRK-12)

Co-Principal Investigator, Video Cases for Mathematics Professional Development

Education

• Ed.D. Mathematics, Teachers College, Columbia University
• M.A. Mathematics, Teachers College, Columbia University
• M.A.T. Mathematics, Harvard University
• B.S. Mathematics, Iona College
  
  

Background

Nicholas Branca grew up in the South Bronx and taught junior and senior high school mathematics, served as a research assistant or associate at Columbia and Stanford Universities; and was on the faculties of Stanford and Pennsylvania State Universities. He was a Professor in the Mathematical Sciences Department at San Diego State University from 1976 until he passed away in 2008. During that time he received numerous grants to enhance the professional development of teachers of mathematics (the San Diego Mathematics Project, the Authentic Assessment Institute, and a Pre-College Teacher Development Grant funded by the National Science Foundation). In his work with Teacher Professional Development he served on various committees and/or boards of professional organizations, among them the Greater San Diego Mathematics Council, the California Mathematics Council, and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. He was a working group member of the NCTM Commission which drafted the "NCTM Professional Teaching Standards".

Activities/Interests

Professor Branca served as the Executive Director of the California Mathematics Project. The California Mathematics Project is one of nine California Subject Matter Projects (CSMPs) funded by California state legislation. The CSMPs are a statewide network of subject-specific professional development programs for teachers. The primary mission of the CSMPs is to improve instruction in all disciplines at all grade levels throughout California.

He was interested in working with teachers and teacher leaders and learning about the work of others involved in similar pursuits.