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Ava Belisle-Chatterjee, Ph.D.

Pear Instructional Math Coach

Elementary, Dual Language

"Learning is a process where knowledge is presented to us, then shaped through understanding, discussion, and reflection."

 

Paolo Freire

Dr. Belisle-Chatterjee has a distinguished career as a dual language/bilingual teacher, staff and program developer, notable curriculum author and writer, instructional coach, and university professor. In addition to her role as a Pear Instructional Math Coach, she is also an Associate Professor in the Education Department at Columbia College in Chicago for which she is the founding chairperson and served in that role for 19 years.

 

A well-respected elementary school bilingual teacher for 12 years with the Chicago Public Schools, Dr. Belisle-Chatterjee held several positions ranging from kindergarten to sixth grade bilingual teacher, math/science coordinator, and dual language teacher. She also served as the student teaching supervisor in the Urban Education Program for the Associated Colleges of the Midwest.

 

Dr. Belisle-Chatterjee is a sought-after author and curriculum writer for several notable curriculum programs. She first authored several pieces of the Spanish language learning program, ¡Viva el espaňol!. Then, resulting from her depth of expertise in mathematics, dual-language, and bilingual education, Dr. Belisle-Chatterjee was recruited to be the Differentiation Lead Author of the University of Chicago’s Everyday Mathematics program to contribute English language and academic language development suggestions for lesson content in grades K through 6 curricular materials.

 

In addition to her endeavors in curriculum development, Dr. Belisle-Chatterjee’s list of contributions to the education of teachers speaks volumes to her dedication to improve classroom instruction. She has published articles in both Critical Issues in Teacher Education, a journal published by the Illinois Association of Teacher Educators as well as CAEP Connections, a monthly publication by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Additionally, she has been a notable presenter at conferences such as the National Council for Supervisors of Mathematics, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics, American Educational Research Association, National Staff Development Council, and numerous more.

 

Dr. Belisle-Chatterjee has a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a Master of Arts in Linguistics from the University of Chicago, and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Loyola University of Chicago.

Career Highlights

  • Associate Professor, Columbia College of Education

  • Dual Language Educator, English and Spanish

  • Differentiation Lead Author, Everyday Mathematics

  • Co-Author, Spanish language program, ¡Viva el espaňol!

  • Student Teaching Supervisor, Urban Education Program

  • Conference Presenter, NCSM, NCTM, and More

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