Peri Shereen describes how her experience in the MAA Project NExT (New Experiences in Teaching) cohort guided her early teaching career, introducing her to evidence-based practices and a supportive community that shaped her pedagogy. She emphasizes how the program inspired her commitment to making mathematics accessible to all students while balancing professional growth with work-life priorities.
MAA: Can you discuss your experience with the MAA Project NExT cohort? How did you
grow from the program?
Shereen: I joined the Red Dot 15-16 Project NExT cohort fresh from my PhD program. I was
beginning my first teaching position equipped only with my teaching experience as a
graduate student. Project NExT was my first exposure to evidence-based teaching
practices that improve student learning. Over the course of my first year, I was able to
engage in discussion with colleagues, attend many workshops, and advance my
teaching pedagogy as a result.
MAA: What advice would you give to new MAA Project NExT cohort members?
Shereen: You will receive an abundance of information in those early years. Soak it up, and then
choose to incorporate into your practice what feels authentic to yourself (you can’t do it
all).
MAA: What is the best advice you have ever received while in MAA Project NExT?
Shereen: Beyond teaching, memorable advice I received was around work-life balance, and the
value of community.
MAA: What are some of the things that motivate you to strengthen the mathematics
profession? Did you identify any of these reasons while you were in MAA Project
NExT?
Shereen: The aspect of the mathematics profession that motivates me the most is making
mathematics equitably accessible to everyone. I have always been a fervent believer
that anyone can “do” math. When that is your mindset, the question becomes, how can I
change my practice as an educator to make math more available to a broader set of
students? Exposure to these answers began to present themselves while in Project
NExT and have continued at my institution.
Learn more about MAA Project NExT and how it can support your teaching and professional growth.