Dawit Alemayehu

I have over ten years of experience in mathematics education. I taught high school math, physics, and theory of knowledge. Currently I am a PhD candidate in mathematics education at University of Washington-Seattle. At UW-Seattle I have served in various roles, these include serving as a  (1) Co-instructor in Multicultural Teaching (Summer 2018 to Summer 2020). (2) Teaching Assistant in Teaching Mathematics in the Secondary School and Instructional Coach (Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020), UW Community Fellow Research Associate at Seattle Public Schools (Fall 2021 to Summer 2023), UW Research Associate for a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation initiative researching & evaluating justice oriented teacher preparation programs (Fall to Summer 2024). My research focuses on identity , culture, and mathematics achievement and success  in the context of Youth Participatory  Action Research project. In my research I support students learn to apply school and critical math to make meaningful change at their schools and in the process growth their conceptual understanding and mathematical reasoning skills and knowledge base. 

Since the Summer of 2018, I have been engaged in the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP) at the University of Washington in Seattle, serving as both a Teaching Assistant for the math methods course and as an Instructional Coach in mathematics education. In my role as an instructional coach, I supported teacher candidates in navigating challenges that arose during their school placements, offering practical guidance to help them grow in their teaching practices. Through these experiences, I developed a strong ability to evaluate program goals, retain effective practices, and make refinements for improvement in subsequent years.

 Over the last two years I worked as a University of Washington community fellow at Seattle Public Schools. In my capacity as a research associate at African American Male Achievement (AAMA)/Seattle Public Schools I developed an understanding of what it looks like to advance the goals of the African American Male Achievement and Research and Evaluation teams to empower Black and BIPOC students in co-designed projects. In these projects Black families, community organizations, and Black students get to shape literacy programs that sustain their cultural practices, identity, and center joy of learning.  

Right now my dissertation and primary research focus is on Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) with Black youth.  I co-designed a YPAR space with Black boys, girls, and non-binary youth from the African diaspora, each of whom brings diverse racial, ethnic, gender, and linguistic identities into the research process.

1. PhD Candidate, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, Expected Graduation Date Summer 2025 (focus: eaching, learning, and curriculum design in mathematics education)
2. Masters in Mathematics Education (focus: Teaching, learning, and curriculum design in mathematics education)   University of Washington, Seattle, WA- Autumn 2020