Rate My Professor Anna Cox

Anna Cox serves as a Pathway Teacher in the University of Otago Pathway and English Language Centre, part of the Academic Division at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. In this role, she contributes to foundation programmes preparing students for university study. Prior to joining the University of Otago, Cox was Head of Mathematics at St Hilda's Collegiate School in Dunedin, where she taught mathematics. She previously taught mathematics and physics at King's High School, establishing a reputation as a high-profile educator in secondary mathematics.

Cox's academic interests centre on enhancing algebraic thinking and conceptual algebra teaching in secondary education. She participated as one of five mathematics teachers from Dunedin secondary schools in the Teaching Algebra Conceptually (TAC) research project from 2010 to 2011, collaborating with University of Otago researchers to explore effective teaching approaches for algebraic knowledge and strategies. This work produced a diagnostic assessment tool and teaching resources. As a research partner in the Teaching & Learning Research Initiative (TLRI) project 'Teaching Algebra Conceptually in Years 9 and 10' published in 2012, she contributed to investigations linking early algebraic thinking to numeracy and student equation-solving strategies. Notable publications include the conference paper 'Teaching Algebra Conceptually: Student Achievement' (2012) in the proceedings of the 35th Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia conference, co-authored with Chris Linsell, Lynn Tozer, Megan Anakin, Rachel Jones, Eric McAuslan, Donna Smith, and Garry Turner; 'Early algebraic thinking: links to numeracy' (2012) with Linsell, Tozer, Anakin, and Jones; and the book chapter 'Algebra everywhere: Developing students' algebraic thinking with meaningful dialogue' with Linsell, Anakin, Jones, and Derek Craig. Cox has also authored 'Beginning Physics' and 'Continuing Physics' published by Pearson, contributed the 'Students Solving Equations' resource to the University of Otago Teaching and Learning blog, and developed a graphing app for iPad highlighted by the Otago Mathematics Association.