Faculty Profile: Linda Crawford “I love running. There’s just something so refreshing about it,” says the assistant professor of mathematics in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. “I have already run two marathons—one in 2002 and one in 2003—and I hope to run one again soon.” The Waynesboro, Ga., native says she promised herself that when she completed her dissertation and earned her doctoral degree, which she did in 2004, she would reward herself by running another marathon. “When I ran the first marathon in 2002, I was recovering from a leg injury, and I finished in five hours, 19 minutes,” she says. “I was just grateful I finished! But by the next marathon in 2003, I improved quite a bit and ran that marathon in four hours, 24 minutes. I haven’t run a marathon since, but I will.” Just as running is a large part of Dr. Crawford’s life, so is teaching. She began teaching at Augusta State in 1988. Two years before then, she came to ASU to pursue a master’s degree, and when she finished her classes, she was asked to teach some math courses. Most of Dr. Crawford's work at ASU is now in teacher training, teaching mathematics courses for pre-service and in -service teachers. “I have been an educator since 1975,” says Dr. Crawford. “I first taught junior high school, and then I taught high school for 11 years. In fact, I taught my brother and sister at one time. Now that was a unique experience.” Research has shown that many students dislike math and science, particularly math. So how do math teachers deal with this in their teaching? Dr. Crawford says that for her, it’s primarily the approach she takes with her students. “When I first began teaching, I saw my job as trying to explain methods to students,” she says. “Although there were some success stories with this approach, my students probably didn’t really understand. They didn’t ‘own it.’ Now, I do a lot less telling and a lot more asking. I want my students to make sense of the mathematics themselves. I don’t want them just to memorize. Therefore, I do quite a bit of hands-on work.” She also explains to her students that she is continuing to learn as well. “I want them to know that learning continues forever. We, as people, are never finished products.” In addition to teaching and running, Dr. Crawford also enjoys cooking, snow skiing, bike riding, and spending time with her large family—she is the oldest of five siblings. “My husband and I love putting together fish fries at our house, and it’s not at all unusual for us to host a fish fry for 40-50 people,” she says. Dr. Crawford earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, a master’s degree from ASU, and a doctoral degree from the University of Georgia.
Who: Linda Crawford Position: Assistant professor of mathematics How long at ASU: 18 years Family: Husband, Don; daughter, Emily Did you know? Dr. Crawford received the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers award in 1998 and in 2002. Other News Stories: Fall Convocation | Week of Welcome | A Day | New Faculty | JSAC | Customer Service Initiative | Vanover Retirement | Art Exhibition | Hacking Seminar | ITS | Calendar | Faculty Profile | Staff Profile | Campus Notables | Photo 1 | Photo 2 | Photo 3 | Photo 4 | Birthdays
August 2006 |
While running a few miles a week may seem impossible to many, Linda Crawford runs a minimum of 25 miles on a weekly basis.
