Profile-Personnel - Maths_Lab_SED_EN

Charoula Stathopoulou, director of the laboratory “Mathematics literacy in formal and informal contexts” is a Professor of Didactics of Mathematics in the Department of Special Education at the University of Thessaly and vice-president in the Research Committee. She completed a bachelor's degree in Mathematics and pursued additional postgraduate study in the Didactics and Methodology of Mathematics at the University of Athens. She studied Social Anthropology and completed her doctorate in Ethnomathematics at the Aegean University. Her main research foci include: Ethnomathematics and in general the exploration of Sociocultural Factors on Mathematics teaching/learning in and out of school, school mathematics literacy and multiliteracies, (Mathematics) education and vulnerable groups, the language on mathematics teaching, the culture of Mathematics classroom (sociocultural interactions), use of CTI and Drama in education on mathematics teaching, Mathematics teaching and students with special educational needs, teachers education. She had published more than 130 papers in international and Greek journals, volumes and conference proceedings and she is the author of, «Ethnomathematics: Exploring the cultural dimension of both mathematics and mathematics education”. She contributed and/or contribute in a lot of research and educational projects.

Εleni Gana is an Assistant Professor on Language and Literacy education. She holds a Master and DEA degree from University of Sorbonne (Université Paris- III) and a PhD from the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens. Her research interests include literacy practices in and out of school, the role(s) of language in teaching /learning mathematics, teaching in multilingual and multicultural classes. She has contributed to several research projects, international and locals, related to immigrants and refugees and to the school inclusion for linguistic minority students.

Tsitsos Vasilis secondary mathematician.  He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Thessaly (2017), postgraduate specialization in Modern Technologies for Training of Secondary Education, University of Athens E42 program and postgraduate degree from National Kapodistrian University of Athens (2005). He is the author of more than 30 scientific publications related mostly  to the Design of technology-based learning environments.

He has worked in Training Support Centers as well as University Training Centers as an ICT trainer for mathematics teaching. Participated as a member of the "Education Portal Development Team" of the Ministry of Education. (2002-04). He has been a member of the Committee of Experts on Educational and Pedagogical Issues of the Ministry of Education / EAITY (2004-2011). vtsitsos@sch.gr

Panagiota Kotarinou is now a coordinator in Educational work in Mathematics. She has a PhD from the department of Special Education of the University of Thessaly. She has presented papers concerning the use of   Arts as well as of the History of Mathematics, in teaching Mathematics in a number of conferences, while some of her works published in international peer reviewed journals.

Vasiliki Chrysikou holds a B.Sc. in Mathematics from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a M.Ed. in “Modern Learning Environments and Design of Teaching Materials” from University of Thessaly. She also holds a M.Ed. in “Special Education” from University of Macedonia and a Ph.D. in Mathematics and Special Education from University of Thessaly. She is a mathematics teacher of students with special educational needs at the secondary education (since 2008). She has worked as Scientific Consultant (SEP) at the Unit “Education Sciences: Special Education for People with Oral and Written Language Difficulties” of Hellenic Open University (2017-2019). Her research interests lie on the fields of mathematics education, special education, education of vulnerable groups, etc.

Sotiria Kalbeni is a linguist and PhD Candidate of applied linguistics. She has teaching and research experience in teaching Greek as a second / foreign language to refugees, immigrants, Roma and prisoners. Her scientific interests focusing on sociolinguistics, multilingual, teaching Greek as a second / foreign language to vulnerable groups and education in prisons.

Zafeira Balampanidou holds a BA in Mathematics from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a BA in Primary Education, from the same University. She also holds two Masters Degrees, an MA in Education (Hellenic Open University) and a MSc in the Teaching of Mathematics (University of West Macedonia). Her main research interests comprise the study of the relation between sex and mathematics, as well as the teaching of mathematics in secondary education. She currently works as a Coordinator of Education at the Regional Centre of Educational Planning of West Macedonia.

Katsigiannakis Vangelis holds a B.Sc. in Computer Engineering and a M.Sc. in "Computer and Telecommunication Science and Technology" from the University of Thessaly. He has been working as a Programming Teacher since 2012, in secondary and tertiary education in the private sector and he is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Special Education of the University of Thessaly. His research interests lie on the fields of e-learning, mobile learning and gamification of typical and special education. He has published several articles in greek conferences and international journals.

George Kyriakopoulos holds a BA in Primary Education Pedagogy (National & Kapodistrian University of Athens), a M.Ed in Educational Leadership and Management (The Open University London) and a M.Sc in Didactics and Methodology of Mathematics (National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Mathematics). Also holds the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (School of Pedagogical and Technological Education), a Certificate in Adult Education, a Certificate in Intercultural Education (University of Aegean) and a Certificate in Special Education (University of Thessaly).  He is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Thessaly and a member of Mathematics Literacy Lab. His main research interests include Curricula and cultural diversity: A culturally responsive mathematics curriculum for Roma students. He is working as a teacher in primary public schools since 2008.

Eirini Kouletsi - Mathematics teacher holds a Master of Education Degree with Major in Mathematical Education from the Interuniversity-Interdisciplinary Program of Postgraduate Studies of the National & Kapodestrian University of Athens. She is currently a Phd Candidate at the Department of Special Education of the University of Thessaly. She is interested in promoting Exploratory Learning in Education by Linking the Teaching of Mathematics and Natural Sciences to Workplaces. So far she has participated in a number of seminars as teachers’ trainer for the Educational Utilization of ICT and has presented her work in several conferences. Since 2013 she has been placed at Varvakeio Model Junior High School, Greece.

Ioannis Fovos holds a degree in Mathematics (University of Patras, 1986) and a Master in Education (“Modern Learning Environments and Production of Teaching Material", University of Thessaly, 2009). He is currently a Phd student in University of Thessaly and member of Mathematics Literacy Lab of Dept. Special Education- University of Thessaly. His main research interests include alternative curriculum on teaching mathematics to young prisoners through a socio-cultural perspective. He is teaching Mathematics in public secondary schools of Special Youth Detention Center since 2002. (ifovos@uth.gr)

Maria Karazanou is a researcher, theater educator and director. She graduated from the Department of International and European Studies at the University of Macedonia and from the ‘Modern Times’ Drama School, while specializing in theater education and human rights at UCL, where she completed her postgraduate degree: Social Justice in Education with distinction: https: /www.academia.edu/9817849/B_L_AME_Offenders_A_critical_theatre-based_inquiry_into_offenders_experience_identity_and_desistance_from_crime

She worked for the organization ‘Catch22 in London where she conducted an annual theatre workshop with a group of ex-offenders. She also taught drama at the alternative school 'The Complete Works’ in London, an educational organization that promotes educational inclusion for children and adolescents with abusive behavior, emotional and learning difficulties

In Greece, she works at the University of Thessaly as a director / trainer of the University's theater group while she participates in several research and education programmes such as: ‘CoSpIRom’ Common Spaces for the Integration of Roma, Education and Inclusion for Roma Children, PiCaM Project in Citizenship and Mathematics.

Maria Karazanou has been teaching theatre voluntary at the Kassaveteia Young offenders Institution since March 2018 and at the Young Offenders Institution in Volos since September 2019.  From May 2018 until April 2019, she worked with SNFCC Stavros Niarchos Foundation and the National Opera for the creation and facilitation of a theatre workshop for a mixed group with women former prisoners, aiming to support team members in the reintegration process.