Skip to Content

College of Education

Faculty and Staff

Sean P. Yee, Ph.D.

Title: Associate Professor, Mathematics Education
Department: Department of Mathematics & Teacher Education
College of Education
Email: yee@math.sc.edu
Website: Scholar's website
Phone: 803-777-6884
Office:

LeConte College 317K and Wardlaw 257

Resources: Curriculum Vitae [pdf]
Sean P. Yee, Ph.D.

Education

2012 Ph.D. in Mathematics Education, Kent State University (Kent, OH)
2012 Licensed Mathematics Teacher in the State of Ohio grades 7-12
2006 Masters in Mathematics Education, Ohio State University (Columbus, OH)
2005 Doctoral Work in Mathematics, University of Notre Dame (Southbend, IN)
2004 Masters of Science in Mathematics, Ohio State University (Columbus, OH)
2001 Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Ohio State University (Columbus, OH)

Expertise

Mathematics teacher education, mathematical problem solving, proof, discourse, teacher listening, and conceptual metaphor theory

Biography

Sean Yee joined the Teacher Education faculty at the University of South Carolina in August of 2014. At the University of South Carolina he teaches mathematics and mathematics education classes for secondary, undergraduate, and graduate students. He has a joint position between both the Department of Teacher Education within the College of Education and the Department of Mathematics within the College of Arts and Sciences. His primary focus is teaching and researching mathematics graduate student instructors pedagogical knowledge through induction, peer-mentoring, and other professional developmental methods.


Prior to coming to USC, Yee taught secondary mathematics for six years in Ohio and was an assistant professor of mathematics education at California State University, Fullerton. His current areas of research include college mathematics instructor education, mathematical proof education, discourse theory, linguistics (primarily conceptual metaphor theory as a means to improve teacher listening), secondary methods courses, and mathematical problem solving.


While enjoying chess and volleyball, Sean Yee prefers to spend time with his wife and two sons; they enjoy Argentine tango and tap dancing.

Refereed Journal Articles

Yee, S.P., Deshler, J., Rogers, K. C., Petrulis, R., Potvin, C. D., & Sweeney, J. (2021). Bridging the gap between observation protocols and formative feedback. Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, 1-29.

Yee, P., Roy, G., Graul, L. (2020). Yee, S. P., Roy, G. J., & Graul, L. (2020). Conditional Reasoning Online with Mastermind. Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK- 12, 113(5), 390-396.

Rogers, K.C., Petrulis R.A., Yee, S.P., & Deshler, J. (2019). Mathematics Graduate Student Instructor Observation Protocol (GSIOP): Development and Validation International Journal of Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education (IJRUME). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40753-019-00106-4

Yee, S.P., Otten, S., & Taylor, M.W. (2018). What do we value in secondary mathematics teaching methods? Investigations in Mathematics Learning (IML). 10(4), 187-201.

Yee, S.P., Boyle, J. D., Ko, Y. Y., & Bleiler-Baxter, S. K. (2018). Effects of constructing and communally critiquing arguments with classroom-generated criteria. Journal of Mathematical Behavior (JMB), 49(2018), 145-162.

Yee, P. (2017). Students’ and teachers’ conceptual metaphors for mathematical problem solving. School Science and Mathematics, 117(3-4), 146-157.

Ko, Y. Y., Yee, S.P., Bleiler-Baxter, S. K., & Boyle, J. D. (2016). Empowering students' proof learning through communal Mathematics Teacher, 109(8), 618-624.

Boyle, J.D., Bleiler, S. K., Yee, S.P., & Ko, Y. (2015). Transforming perceptions of proof: A four- part instructional Mathematics Teacher Educator (MTE), 4(1), 32-38.

Yee, P. & Bostic, J. D. (2014). Developing a students’ contextualization of problem solving. Journal of Mathematical Behavior (JMB), 36(2014), 1-19.

Yee, S.P. (2013). Problem solving concretely with the word like. Investigations in Mathematics Learning (IML), 5(3), 25-43.

Refereed Conference Articles

Yee, S.P., Deshler, J., Rogers, K.C., Papalia, N., & Lamarche, A. (February, 2020). Interpreting undergraduate student complaints about graduate student instructors through the lens of the instructional practices guide. Proceedings from 23rd Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education (RUME, pp. 673-681), Boston,

Miller, E.R., Rogers, K.C., & Yee, S.P. (February, 2020). Analyzing collegiate mathematics observation protocols: Attending to the instructional triangle and inquiry-based mathematics education practices. Proceedings from 23rd Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education (RUME, pp. 422-430), Boston,

Brummer, J., Wakefield, N., & Yee, S.P. (February, 2020). Analysis of collaborative curriculum Proceedings from 23rd Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education (RUME, 1242-1244), Boston, MA.

Yee, S.P., Deshler, J., & Rogers, K.C. (February, 2019). Connecting observation protocols and post-observation feedback. Proceedings from 46th Annual Research Council on Mathematics Learning (RCML, 83-90), Charlotte, NC.

Yee, S.P., Deshler, J., Rogers, K.C.,Petrulis, R.A., Potvin, C.D., & Sweeney, J. (February, 2019). Bridging the gap: From graduate student instructor observation protocol to actionable post- observation feedback. Presented at the 22nd Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education (RUME, pp. 705-713), Oklahoma City,

Rogers, K.C. & Yee, S.P. (2018, February). Peer mentoring mathematics graduate student instructors: discussion topics and concerns. Proceedings from 21st Conference of the Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education (RUME), San Diego, CA.

Rogers, K. C. & Yee, S.P. (2017, November). Experienced and novice graduate students navigating mathematics instruction together. Proceedings from 39th Conference of the North American Chapter of the Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME-NA, p.539), Indianapolis,

Yee, S.P. & Rogers, K. C. (2017, March). Training graduate student instructors as peer mentors: how were mentors’ views of teaching and learning affected? In T. Olson & L. Venenciano (Eds.), Proceedings from 44th Annual Research Council on Mathematics Learning (RCML, pp. 33-44), Fort Worth, TX: Research Council on Mathematics Learning (RCML).

Monastra, J. C. & Yee, S.P. (2017, March). Math is not a race: One student’s journey from basic algebra to doctoral classes. In T. Olson & L. Venenciano (Eds.), Proceedings from 44th Annual Research Council on Mathematics Learning (RCML, pp. 65-72), Fort Worth, TX: Research Council on Mathematics Learning (RCML).

Yee, P. & Rogers, K. C. (2017, February). Mentor professional development for mathematics graduate student instructors. Proceedings from 20th Conference of the Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education (RUME, pp. 1026-1034 ), San Diego, CA.

Yee, S.P., Boyle, J. D. Ko, Y. Y., & Bleiler, S. K. (2016, November). Empowering ownership of proof with communal proof-writing criteria. In G. Matney & M. Che. (Eds.), Proceedings from 38th Conference of the North American Chapter of the Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME-NA, 652-659), Tucson, AZ.

Yee, S.P. & Rogers, K. C. (2016, February). Graduate students’ pedagogical changes using iterative lesson study. Proceedings from 19th Conference of the Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education (RUME, pp. 1458-1466), Pittsburgh, PA.

Otten, S., Yee, S.P., & Taylor, M. W. (2015, November). Secondary mathematics methods courses: what do we value? Proceedings from 37th Conference of the North American Chapter of the Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME-NA, pp. 772-779), Lansing,

Yee, S.P., Boyle, J. D. Ko, Y. Y., & Bleiler, S. K. (2015, February). Empowering ownership of proof with communal proof-writing criteria. In G. Matney & M. Che. (Eds.), Proceedings from 42nd Annual Research Council on Mathematics Learning (RCML, pp. 33-41), Las Vegas, NV: Research Council on Mathematics Learning (RCML).

Yee, S.P., Ko, Y., Bleiler, S., & Boyle, J. (2014). Communal assessment of proof: Undergraduates’ development of proof-writing criteria. In P. Liljedahl, et al. (Eds.), Proceedings from the 38th Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education and the 36th Conference of the North American Chapter of the Psychology of Mathematics Education (Vol 6, 415-416). Vancouver, Canada: University of British Columbia, Vancouver.

Refereed Book Chapters

Rogers, K.C. & Yee, S.P. (Accepted in Press). Assessments. College Mathematics Instructor Development Source (CoMInDS).

Yee, S.P. & Rogers, K.C. (Accepted in Press). Sustained support for teaching assistants. College Mathematics Instructor Development Source (CoMInDS).

Bleiler, S., Ko, Y., Yee, S.P., & Boyle, J. (2015). Chapter 9: Communal development and evolution of a course rubric for proof writing. In K. Karp (Ed.), Annual Perspectives in Mathematics Education (APME): Assessment to Enhance Learning and Teaching (97-108). Reston, VA: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).

Invited Presentations

Yee, S.P. (2018). Argumentation, Justification, and Proof. Panel Speaker for the 40th Conference for the Psychology of Mathematics Education of North America (PME-NA), Greenville, SC.

Yee, S.P. & Rogers, K. C. (2017, January). Graduate student instructor mentorship model: A professional development that trains experienced graduate students to pedagogically mentor novice mathematics graduate student instructors. Presentation at special session on TAs and Part­Time Instructors 2017 Joint Math Meetings Conference, Atlanta, GA.

Yee, S.P. (2016). Concretizing mathematical problem solving with metaphors. International Congress on Mathematical Education (ICME), Hamburg, Germany. [Accepted with invitation to present, but had to withdraw due to heart problems]

Yee, S.P. (2017, October). Peer-mentorship model for mathematics graduate student instructors. Presentation at Center for Teaching Excellence at the University of South Carolina.

Yee, S.P. (2017, April). Communal classroom criteria of proof…what counts? Speaker at AP Reading Day presentation at the University of South Carolina.

Yee, S.P. (2015, February). Teaching with technology: From tablets to Nintendo Wii Smartboards. Speaker at Richland One School District Teacher Professional Development.

Yee, S.P. (2015, January). Communal criteria to empower proof education. Colloquium Talk for the College of Education at the University of Missouri. Columbia, Missouri. http://prezi.com/iibgkrhjudpu/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share

Yee, S.P. & Bostic, J. D. (2014, October 11). Developing a contextualization of students’ problem solving [Audio Podcast]. Retrieved from http://mathed.podomatic.com/entry/2014-10-11T21_27_29-07_00.

Yee, S.P. (2014, December). Communal criteria to empower proof education. Colloquium Talk for the Department of Mathematics at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). Bowling Green, Ohio.

Selected Presentations

International

Rogers, K. C. & Yee, S.P. (2017, November). Experienced and novice graduate students navigating mathematics instruction together. Proceedings from 39th Conference of the North American Chapter of the Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME-NA, p. 539), Indianapolis, IN.

Yee, S.P., Boyle, J. D. Ko, Y. Y., & Bleiler, S. K. (2016, November). Empowering ownership of proof with communal proof-writing criteria. In G. Matney & M. Che. (Eds.), Presentation at 38th Conference of the North American Chapter of the Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME-NA, pp.652-659), Tucson, AZ.

Otten, S., Yee, S.P., & Taylor, M. W. (2015, November). Secondary mathematics methods courses: What do we value? Presentation at 37th Annual Meeting of Psychology of Mathematics Education of North America (PME-NA), Lansing, MI.

Ko, Y., Yee, S.P., Boyle, J. D., & Bleiler, S. K. (2015, April). Shift in arguments: Effect of an instructional sequence. Presentation at the 31st Annual International Conference of Association of Science Education Taiwan (ASET),Kenting, Taiwan. http://seerinn.com/aset2015/ 

Bleiler, S., Ko, Y., Yee, S.P., & Boyle, J. (2014, July). Communal assessment of proof: Undergraduates’ development of proof-writing criteria. Presentation at the 38th Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME) and the 36th Conference of the north American Chapter of the Psychology of Mathematics, Vancouver, Canada.

Yee, S.P. (2014, June). Conceptual metaphors as a prescriptive means to improve teacher listening. Presentation at the 8th Annual International Conference on Mathematics, Statistics & Education, Athens Institute for Educational Research (ATINER), Athens, Greece.

Yee, S.P. (2013, November). Meaningful listening through coherent conceptual metaphors. Presentation at 35th Annual Meeting of Psychology of Mathematics Education of North America (PME-NA), Chicago, IL.

National

Rogers, K.C. & Yee, S.P. (2018, February) Peer Mentoring Mathematics Graduate Student Instructors: Discussion Topics and Concerns. Presentation at 21st  Conference of the Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education (RUME), San Diego, CA.

Otten, S., Yee, S.P. & Taylor, M. W. (2018, February). Comparing Teachers’ and Teacher Educators’ Values for Secondary Methods Courses. Presentation at the 22nd Annual Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE) Conference, Houston, TX.

Rogers, K. C. & Yee, S.P. (2017, June). Synergizing experienced & novice graduate student instruction via peer mentorship. Presentation at Transforming Research in Undergraduate STEM Education (TRUSE), St. Paul, MN.

Yee, S.P. & Rogers, K. C. (2017, March). Training graduate student instructors as peer mentors: How were mentors’ views of teaching and learning affected? Presentation at 44th Annual Research Council on Mathematics Learning (RCML), Fort Worth, TX.

Monastra, J. C. & Yee, S.P. (2017, March). Math is not a race: One student’s journey from basic algebra to doctoral classes. In T. Olson & L. Venenciano (Eds.), Presentation at 44th Annual Research Council on Mathematics Learning (RCML), Fort Worth, TX.

Yee, S.P. & Rogers, K. C. (2017, February). Mentor professional development for mathematics graduate student instructors. Presentation at 20th Conference of the Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education (RUME, pp. 1026-1034), San Diego, CA.

Yee, S.P. (2016, April). Constructing and critiquing arguments: Effect of an instructional sequence. Presentation at Annual National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Research Session, San Francisco, CA.

Yee, S.P., Rogers, K.C., & Sharghi, S. (2016, February). Graduate students’ pedagogical changes using iterative lesson study. Presentation at 19th Annual Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education (RUME) Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.

Yee, S.P., Safi F., & Dickey, E. (2016, January). Integrating recursive pedagogical content knowledge with the tower of Hanoi. Presentation at the 20th Annual Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE) Conference, Orlando, FL.

Ko,Y., Yee, S.P., Boyle, J.D., Bleiler-Baxter, S.K. (2016, January). Supporting teachers’ capabilities to engage students in constructing viable arguments and critiquing others’ reasoning. Symposium at the 20th Annual Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE) Conference, Orlando, FL.

Yee, S.P., Otten, S., & Taylor, M. W. (2015, June). Curricular touchstones for secondary methods courses. Presentation at the 2015 National Conference for the Association of Public Land-grant Universities (APLU) Science and Mathematics Teaching Imperative (SMTI), New Orleans, LA.

Boyle, J. D., Bleiler, S. K., Ko, Y., & Yee, S.P. (2015, April). What counts? Developing communal understanding of proof through creating classroom-based criteria. Presentation at the 2015 Annual Conference of National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), Boston, MA.

Boyle, J. D., Bleiler, S. K., Yee, S.P., & Ko, Y. (2015, April). Constructing viable arguments and critiquing the reasoning of others: Where to start? Presentation at the 47th Annual Conference of National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NCSM), Boston, MA.

Bostic, J., Conrady, K., Ives, S., & Yee, S. (2015, February). Smoothing the ups and downs: Tools for professional transitions. Presentation at 42nd Annual Research Council on Mathematics Learning (RCML) Conference, Las Vegas, NV.

Yee, S.P., Boyle, J. D., Ko, Y., & Bleiler, S. K. (2015, February). Empowering ownership of proof with communal proof-writing criteria. Presentation at 42nd Annual Research Council on Mathematics Learning (RCML) Conference, Las Vegas, NV.

Yee, S.P. & Taylor, M. W. (2015, February). Developing touchstones for secondary mathematics methods courses. Presentation at the 19th Annual Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE) Conference, Orlando, FL.

Yee, S.P., Bleiler, S. K., & Boyle, J. D. (2015, February). Creating classroom-developed criteria for what counts as proof. Presentation at the 19th Annual Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE) Conference, Orlando, FL.

Bleiler, S. K., Boyle, J. D., Ko, Y., & Yee, S.P. (2014, June). Developing communal understanding of proof-writing criteria. Presentation at the 17th Annual Legacy of R.L. Moore Inquiry-Based Learning Conference (IBL), Denver, CO.

Yee, S.P. (2014, February). 3-Column proof in algebra courses for preservice teachers. Presentation at the 18th Annual Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE) Conference, Irvine, CA.

Bleiler, S. K., Boyle, J. D., Ko, Y., & Yee, S.P. (2014, January). Communal assessment of proof: Undergraduates’ development of proof-writing criteria. Presentation at the 97th Joint Mathematics Meetings, American Mathematical Society (AMS) and Mathematical Association of America (MAA), Baltimore, MD.

Yee, S.P. (2013, April). Conceptual metaphors of problem solving: Listening for experiences. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Research Presession Denver, CO.

Yee, S.P. (2013, January). Improving undergraduate mathematics education using dynamic graphics embedded within Webwork. American Mathematics Society (AMS) Joint Mathematics Meeting (JMM) Annual Conference, San Diego, CA.

Yee, S.P. (2013). Metaphors as a medium for hermeneutic listening for teachers. Proceedings of 40th Annual Research Council on Mathematics Learning (RCML, pp. 171-187) Conference, Tulsa, OK.

Yee, S.P. & Bostic, J. (2012). A developmental perspective into students’ contextualization of problem solving. 34th Annual Meeting of Psychology of Mathematics Education of North America (PME-NA, pp. 190-194), Kalamazoo, MI.

Regional or State

Graul, L., Roy, G., & Yee, S.P. (2017, November). Using technology to reason mathematically with the game of Mastermind. Presentation at the Annual South Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference (SCCTM), Greenville, SC.

Yee, S.P. (2016, November). Improving teacher listening through student metaphors for problem solving. Presentation at the Annual South Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference (SCCTM), Greenville, SC.

Crooks-Monastra, J. & Yee, S.P. (2016, November). Math is not a race: From high school drop-out to mathematics doctoral student. Presentation at the Annual South Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference (SCCTM), Greenville, SC.

Yee, S.P. (2016, February). Implementing a peer-mentorship model for mathematics graduate student instructors. Presentation at CoMInDS Grant Research Conference. Duke University, NC.

Yee, S.P., Boyle, J. D., Bleiler-Baxter, S. K., & Ko, Y. (2015, November). Making proof count: Empowering proof education through communal criteria. Presentation at the 2015 Nashville Regional Conference of National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), Nashville, TN.

Ko, Y., Boyle, J. D., Yee, S.P., & Bleiler-Baxter, S. K. (2015, November). Making proof count: Empowering proof education through communal criteria. Presentation at the 2015 Minneapolis Regional Conference of National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), Minneapolis, MN.

Yee, S.P. (2014, November). Number line dancing. Presentation at the 38th Annual South Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics Annual Conference (SCCTM), Myrtle Beach, SC.

Yee, S.P. & LaCassa, M. (2014, October). Because you’re mine, I dance the line. Presentation at the 54th Annual California Mathematics Council South Annual Conference (CMC-South), Palm Springs, CA.                             

Yee, S.P., Lajevardi, S., & Hernandez, G. (2013, November). Practice makes research. Presentation at 54th Annual California Mathematics Conference South (CMC-South), Palm Springs, CA.

Yee, S.P. (2013, October). Listening to student experiences through conceptual metaphors for problem solving. Northwest Mathematics Council (NWMC) Conference, Bellevue, WA.


Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.

©