Dr. Tracie McLemore Salinas

Dr. Tracie McLemore Salinas is department chair and professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Appalachian State University. She was previously director of the Mathematics and Science Education Center in App State's Reich College of Education. A rural mathematics educator, her interests are in the challenges of rural communities in engaging in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, policies and decision making related to STEM education, and the content needs of pre-service and in-service teachers.

Salinas also researches the importance of and implications for affecting educational change in STEM education in rural areas through professional development projects and outreach. Additionally, she explores organizational structures of teacher education and how technology can be used to create supportive networks of educators in rural schools and communities.  

Areas of expertise

• STEM education
• Teacher professional development
• Rural or cultural contexts of STEM education
• History of mathematics and science
• Mathematics and STEM education
• Issues in rural mathematics education
• Teacher preparation and policy
• Organizational structure of teacher education
• College transition