Neag School of Education faculty member Tutita M. Casa has been named the 2026 Dr. Perry A. Zirkel Distinguished Teaching Award recipient. Casa teaches in the Neag School’s Integrated Bachelor’s/Master’s teacher preparation program and specializes in elementary mathematics education.
Many people think of mathematics as something that you “do” by following a teacher’s step-by-step guidance about how to solve problems. Casa’s work in mathematical discourse counters this perspective and instead helps teachers empower students to grapple with mathematics and engage with the discipline in ways similar to how mathematicians go about their work.
The Zirkel Distinguished Teaching Award is awarded annually to a full-time faculty member in the Neag School. Alumnus Perry A. Zirkel ’68 MA, ’72 Ph.D., ’76 JD is a university professor emeritus of education and law at Lehigh University, where he formerly was dean of the College of Education and more recently held the Iacocca Chair in Education for its five-year term. He has a Ph.D. in educational administration and a JD from the University of Connecticut, and a Master of Laws degree from Yale University. The UConn School of Law also honors a faculty member each year with the Perry Zirkel ’76 Distinguished Teaching Award.
“I’m truly honored to receive this award, as it affirms my longstanding commitment to ensuring that elementary students have opportunities to reason mathematically at high levels,” Casa says. “I am especially grateful for the privilege of teaching future teachers who share a commitment to equitable practices that center students’ sense-making.”
Casa’s teaching excellence shines through the learning opportunities she creates for her students. Her yearlong master’s seminar has produced numerous published articles co-authored with her students. These publications demonstrate how she mentors preservice teachers through authentic research and writing processes, culminating in work that contributes to the field of mathematics education.
“Dr. Casa is a central leader in our elementary teacher education program as the lone elementary mathematics teacher educator in the Neag School,” wrote nominator Todd Campbell, professor and head of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. “Students regularly describe her as demanding in ways that elevate their learning while also providing the consistent guidance and support necessary to help them meet those expectations. Written feedback I have reviewed consistently highlights her clarity, organization, and commitment to their growth as teachers.”
Students regularly describe [Dr. Casa] as demanding in ways that elevate their learning while also providing the consistent guidance and support necessary to help them meet those expectations. — Todd Campbell, professor and head of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction
A recent former student, now a practicing teacher, emphasized that Casa was “the most impactful professor” of her academic career and credited her with shaping her instructional beliefs, understanding of mathematics teaching, and professional confidence as a new educator. This alum also noted that the resources and habits cultivated in Casa’s courses continue to guide her daily classroom practice and her own mentoring of new Neag School students assigned to her classroom as student-teachers or interns.
“I see my role as helping future teachers become more mindful of the decisions they make when planning, teaching, and assessing, so they can use that information to inform their ongoing instruction,” Casa says. “I invite my students to embrace the belief that everyone is a mathematical thinker as we unpack often nuanced strategies that uphold that belief.”
Casa’s research and scholarly work have focused on using writing to leverage the learning of mathematics. One project she led, funded by the National Science Foundation, created the Elementary Mathematical Writing Task Force, a group of university- and district-based educators with expertise in mathematics education, writing education, mathematics, English language learners, special education, gifted education, assessment, and curriculum. The group’s recommendations about the types of and purposes for mathematical writing in elementary grades are now a seminal resource for many educators. This project established her as a preeminent leader in elementary mathematical writing.
A member of the Neag School’s faculty for over 20 years, Casa earned her bachelor’s in mathematics from the University of Florida, her master’s in elementary education from Syracuse University, and two degrees from the Neag School: her sixth-year degree in educational administration and her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in mathematics education.
Neag School alumni, current students, and faculty were invited to nominate a faculty member for the annual Zirkel Distinguished Teaching Award, and a committee selected the recipient. Previous awardees include Adam McCready in 2025, Saran Stewart in 2024, Danielle Filipiak in 2023, Tamika LaSalle in 2022, Milagros Castillo-Montoya in 2020, Jennie Weiner in 2019, and D. Betsy McCoach as the inaugural recipient in 2018.
Casa received the award during the Neag School’s year-end meeting on May 1. Her name will be added to the award plaque on display in the Neag School Dean’s Office.
