Janine M. Firmender, Ph.D., is a professor in the Teacher Education Department at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she has been teaching courses in the areas of Early Childhood/Elementary (grades pre-k – 4) education and elementary mathematics education. She is also pursuing research interests in the areas of engaging students in mathematical writing and meeting the needs of mathematically talented students. In 2015 she co-led the Elementary Mathematical Writing Task Force, supported through a National Science Foundation conference grant. Dr. Firmender earned her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Gifted Education from the Neag School of Education at the University of Education and also focused on studying elementary mathematics education. Additionally, she has been an active member of the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics, the National Association for Gifted Children, and NAGC STEM network. She is the current chair of the NAGC Computers and Technology Network and has served on the NAGC Advisory Board for their practitioner journal, Teaching of High Potential.
