Education
- Ph.D. 2026 – University of Delaware, Education (Learning Sciences)
- M.Ed. 2019 – University of Notre Dame, Education
- B.A. 2017 – University of Notre Dame, Psychology
Areas of Expertise
- Mathematics Cognition
- Teaching
- K-12 Learning
- Motivation in Math Education
- Research Communication Strategies
Work and Impact
Elena Silla is a postdoctoral researcher working with Dr. Jessica Rodrigues to develop and examine the use of key abstracts in mathematics-focused practitioner articles with teachers. She recently earned her Ph.D. in Education (Learning Sciences) from the University of Delaware. She is interested in supporting students’ learning of and motivation towards mathematics in order to create positive math experiences for all learners. Inspired by her time as a fourth grade teacher, she aims to conduct translational work that has a meaningful impact on both the scientific community and practitioners in the field. The primary goal of Dr. Silla’s research, informed in part by her teaching experience, is to develop a more holistic understanding of how to support students’ K-12 mathematics learning, motivation, and experiences. To do this, she examines developmental processes and mechanisms underlying students’ mathematical reasoning and motivation using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. Additionally, she examines how teachers can support these mechanisms through their instruction. In her dissertation, she examined teachers’ use of belonging-supportive instructional practices and their relation to students’ sense of belonging to math, math identity, and flexibility while problem-solving. Ultimately, she aims to conduct research that has a meaningful impact on both the broad scientific community and the local education community.