1. John D. Best, Ph.D.
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Department of Science and Mathematics
324 Jackson Hall
Summit University
Clarks Summit, PA, 18411
Phone: (570) 585-9611
Home: 118 Highland Ave
Clarks Summit, PA, 18411
Phone: (315) 409-8981
Email: jbest@summitu.edu
johann1957@yahoo.de
Education:
Ph. D in Mathematics January 2002
Binghamton University
Binghamton, NY 13902-6000
Dissertation: “On 3/2-transitive Groups”
M.S. in Mathematics May 1984
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY 13244-1150
B.S. in Mathematics May 1980
King’s College
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18704
Employment experience:
Associate Professor of Mathematics and Mathematics Education
Director of Secondary Mathematics Education Program 8/07-Present
Chair of the Department of Science and Mathematics
Summit University
Clarks Summit, PA, 18411
Adjunct Instructor of Mathematics 8/13 - Present
Keystone College
La Plume, Pa
Assistant Professor of Mathematics 9/04-8/07
SUNY Cortland
Cortland, NY 13045-0900
Part-Time Assistant Professor of Mathematics 9/96-5/04
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY 13244-1150
Empire State College (State University of New York) 9/89-12/98
Syracuse, NY 13202
Mathematics Instructor

2. John D. Best, Ph.D.
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Employment experience (continued):
Binghamton University 9/94-12/94
Binghamton, NY 13902-6000
Adjunct Instructor
Cazenovia College 9/85-5/89
Cazenovia, NY 13035
Instructor/Math Coordinator for the Learning Center
Selected Scholarship:
• Presentation: Frobenius Groups having 3/2-Transitive action on a set of Sylow
Subgroups; Zassenhaus Group Theory Conference, Binghamton University, May
1997
• Presentation: Semilinear Groups having 3/2-Transitive action on a set of Sylow
Subgroups; Zassenhaus Group Theory Conference, Miami University of Ohio, May
1999.
• On 3/2 – Transitive Groups; Doctoral Dissertation, Binghamton University,
Binghamton, NY, 2001
• An Introduction to Algebraic Structures (Unpublished draft of textbook used in
Abstract Algebra course), SUNY Cortland (2005). Modified version used at Summit
University, 2010
• Assisted Dr. Cristina Bacuta (PI) with her PMET (Preparing Mathematicians to
Educate Teachers) project entitled “Assessing Preservice Teachers’ Abilities to do
Proofs”, 2005-2006
• Presentation: Proofs We Thought Our Students Could Do (Joint work with Dr.
Cristina Bacuta and Dr. Bruce Mattingly); MAA Seaway Section Meeting, Ithaca
College, April 2006
• Algebraic Structures for High School Teachers - Class Notes.
• Presentation: Combinatorial Excursions in Taxicab geometry; Lackawanna and
Luzerne County Mathematics Symposium, Misericordia University, Dallas, Pa, Sept.
22, 2012
• Presentation: Integral Distances in Taxicab Geometry; Lackawanna and Luzerne
County Mathematics Symposium, Misericordia University, Dallas, Pa, Sept. 21,
2013.
• Presentation: Cryptography: The Mathematics of Keeping Secrets; University of
Scranton, Mathematics Seminar, Scranton, Pa, March 23, 2014
• Presentation: Excursions in Combinatorial Taxicab Geometry; Math Fest 2015,
Washington D.C., Aug. 2015
Scholarly Interests:
• Connections between Upper Level Core Mathematics Courses and High School
Mathematics

3. John D. Best, Ph.D.
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• Assessment in Undergraduate Mathematics
• High School Mathematics Teachers Content Knowledge
• Professional Development for Mathematics Teachers
• Taxicab Geometry
• Geometric Combinatorics/Discrete Geometry
• Preservice teachers abilities to do proofs
Recent Professional Development:
• August 2006; Participated in Minicourse- Infusing Connections Into Core Courses for
Secondary Teachers; Math Fest, Knoxville, Tenn.
• August 2008; Completed on campus training at Summit University for on-line course
development. Training included introduction to Moodle and Freemind.
• November 2008; Attended PCTM Conference and participated in Geometry
workshop; Lake Harmony, PA
• November 2009: Attended PCTM/PAMTE conference; Pittsburgh, PA
• August 2010: Attended MathFest in Pittsburgh, PA. Participated in workshop entitled
Understanding and Assessing Mathematical Proofs.
August 2011: Attended MathFest in Lexington, Ky. Participated in Minicourse
entitled Alternatives to Traditional Grading to Enhance Student Learning.
Participated in sessions devoted to organizing and leading a Math Circle.
Fall 2010 served as participant for a study by the Educational Policy Improvement
Center (EPIC).
• January 2012: Attended Joint Mathematics Meetings in Boston, MA. Participated in
short course entitled Discrete and Computational Geometry and mini-course entitled
Problem Based Courses for Teachers.
• April 2014: Attended Mathematical Association of America regional meeting at
University of Scranton.
• August 2014: Completed Webinar entitled “Creating a Culture of Problem Solving in
Your School or Classroom”.
• May 2015: Attended Zassenhaus Group Theory Conference at Binghamton
University, Binghamton, NY
• August 2015: Attended and presented (see Scholarship) at MathFest in Washington,
DC.
College Service:
• Ad-hoc Committee on Assessment, 2004- 2006
• Mathematics Department Curriculum Committee, 2005-2007
• Developed curriculum for upper level course in Mathematical Problem Solving
• Coach for Putnam Examination-2004 and 2005
• Various textbook selection committees

4. John D. Best, Ph.D.
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• Supervised Graduate Project in Math Education-SUNY Cortland- Technology In The
Classroom: The Interactive Whiteboard, by Brittany L. Schenk, spring 2006
• Committee for design and grading of graduate comprehensive examinations-SUNY
Cortland, 2005-2006
• Designed curriculum for Secondary Mathematics Education Program at Summit
University, resulting in Pennsylvania Department of Education accreditation for the
program, 2007-2008.
• Course Assessment Task Force, 2008- Present, Summit University
• Committee Chair for redesign of Graduate School Capstone Project at Summit
University-Drafted guidelines for Capstone Project.
• Redesigned graduate course in Educational Assessment for an online environment,
2010.
• Instituted Placement Criteria for mathematics courses for incoming students.
• Researched and instituted Mathematics Placement Examination at Summit
University.
• Conducted preparation classes for Integration Bee held at the University of Scranton:
Spring 2013 and 2014.
Technology:
Familiar with Moodle, Blackboard, Geo-gebra, Geometer’s Sketchpad, TI-89, various web based
programs (Wolfram, etc.)
Courses Taught:
Undergraduate
• Calculus 1-III
• Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers
• Developmental mathematics
• Technical/Vocational mathematics
• Consumer mathematics
• College Algebra
• Business Mathematics
• Linear Algebra
• Ordinary Differential Equations
• Discrete Mathematics (Face to face and online)
• College Geometry
• Real Analysis
• Abstract Algebra
• Probability and Statistics (business; elementary; advanced)
• Mathematical Problem Solving
• Number Theory
• Mathematics for High School Teachers
• Methods of Teaching Mathematics in Middle and Secondary School

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Graduate
• Abstract Algebra for Teachers
• Problem Solving Seminar
• Geometry for Teachers
• Research Methods in Education
• Assessment of Learning
• Logic and Critical Thinking
Other Experience
• Private tutor in high school and college mathematics, vocational mathematics,
Regents Exams Preparation (NY State), ASVAB (Math content), etc.
• Facilitated Workshops to prepare future teachers for PRAXIS (both basic and upper
level math content), PAPA, and Actuarial Exams.
• Facilitated Math Circle at Summit University, Academic year 2012-2013.
• Significant experience with non-traditional students.
• Experience writing problems and coaching for mathematics competitions.
Professional Memberships:
• Mathematical Association of America
• American Mathematical Society
• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Other Interests:
• Technology in the classroom (especially TI-83 and TI-89) and Web-based programs.
• Mathematics Education, both College and Pre-College
• Online Mathematics Instruction
• Educational Assessment
• Writing and preparing Mathematics Contests
• Mathematical Problem Solving
Language Skills:
• Fluent reading knowledge of German; Conversational German.