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Nicole Gearing

Faculty Member

Dr. Nicole Gearing

Biography

I am an Associate Professor of Elementary Education at Utah Valley University, specializing in elementary mathematics education. I earned my Ph.D. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Georgia State University, where my research focused on young children's mathematical reasoning and discourse. My background includes over a decade of K-6 classroom experience, including roles in general and special education.

At UVU, I have taught both undergraduate and graduate courses, developed online and hybrid courses, and mentored students in the M.Ed. program. My scholarship examines how tools such as children's literature and written explanations can enhance mathematical understanding.

At UVU I serve on the UVU Faculty Senate Executive Committee and am the chair of the Council on Academic Standards. I am actively involved in professional organizations and enjoy collaborating on innovative ways to improve math instruction in elementary classrooms.

Education

PhD, Georgia State University, 2018

Major: Early Childhood and Elementary Eudcation

Ed.S., University of West Georgia, 2011

Major: Elementary Education

M.Ed., Grand Canyon University, 2007

Major: Curriculum and Instruction

BA, Thiel College, 2005

Major: Elementary Education

Teaching

EDEL 4510

Elementary Mathematics Instruction and Assessment I, Spring 2025

EDEL 4550

Elementary Mathematics Instruction and Assessment II, Spring 2025

EDEL 4550

Elementary Mathematics Instruction and Assessment II, Spring 2025

Scholarly/Creative Works

Long, Valerie N, Stokes, Amber R, Raymond, Kate M, Gearing, Nicole , (2025) "Preservice elementary teachers' perceptions of tasks_ Stances and misconceptions that hinder analysis" .
Gearing, Nicole , Disney, Andria , Goodman, Andrew , (2024) "Leveraging Picture Books to Engage Elementary Students in Mathematical Problem Solving" (Issue: Winter 2024, vol. 16). Utah Mathematics Teacher . https://www.utahctm.com/journal
Gearing, Nicole , Disney, Andria , Lee, Alee , Divis, Danielle , (2023) "Monitoring Charts_ A Powerful Tool for Planning and Gathering Data" (vol. 15). Utah: Utah Mathematics Teacher.
Gearing, Nicole Venuto, Hart, Lynn C, (2019) "The Impact of Adding Written Discourse to Six Year Olds Mathematics Explanations within a Problem-Based Learning Unit" (Issue: 1, vol. 4). Netherlands: European Journal of STEM Education .
Gearing, Nicole , Hart, Lynn C, Swars, Susan , (2018) "Elementary Prospective Teachers' Affect in Mathematics Content Courses_ Implications for Learning Experiences" (Issue: 119). School Science and Mathematics .

Awards

Faculty Excellence Award

Utah Valley University - March, 2022

The Faculty Excellence Award is to recognize full-time and adjunct faculty who have made significant contributions to UVU's mission through demonstrated excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.

Lorene Pilcher Outstanding Dissertation Award

Georgia State University Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education - March 27, 2019

This award is given in recognition of a dissertation of especially high quality and potential impact in the field of early childhood and elementary education.