Erica Litke, associate professor of mathematics education at the University of Delaware, has been awarded the 2026 Early Career Award from the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators. The annual award honors a mathematics teacher educator who, early in their career, has made distinguished contributions and shows exceptional potential for leadership in one or more areas of teaching, service, and scholarship.
Dr. Litke’s research considers mathematics teaching as an object of study, with the aim of improving the learning opportunities offered to students and making mathematics classrooms more equitable and affirming spaces. She focuses on describing and analyzing instructional practice in mathematics using observation instruments, connecting instructional quality in mathematics to broader policy-related issues in education, and developing teacher knowledge and practice through professional learning.
A University of Delaware faculty member since 2016, Dr. Litke teaches undergraduate courses on mathematics content and pedagogy, as well as doctoral courses on research on mathematics teaching and teacher education. She also teaches an undergraduate course for students across majors to consider how public schools in the United States are framed as both the causes and solutions to social inequality.
Dr. Litke earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics and English from Oberlin College in Ohio and her master of education degree in administration, planning, and social policy from Harvard University. She taught high school mathematics in New York City for several years before returning to Harvard to complete her doctorate in educational policy, leadership, and instructional practice.