EDUCATION

University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH

Ph.D., Educational Studies: Curriculum Studies & Teacher Ed. Expected 2026

Advisor: Colleen Uscianowski Maas (2022-2023), Victoria Carr (2023-Present)

University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH

M.S., Curriculum & Instruction: STEM December 2021

Thesis: The Effects of STEAM Learning Centers on Preschool Classrooms

Mount St. Joseph University Cincinnati, OH

B.S., Inclusive Early Childhood Education December 2012

Minor: Psychology

Summa Cum Laude

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH

Graduate Research Assistant: August 2022 – Present

Mathematical Storybook Study in Home Numeracy Environment

Dr. Colleen Uscianowski Maas – 2022-2023

  • Coded the quality and quantity of reading interactions between 25 parent-child dyads.

  • Developed a literature review by synthesizing literature on the home numeracy environment and shared storybook reading.

Mathematical and Science Field Notes Study

Dr. Colleen Uscianowski Maas – 2022-2023

  • Developing a coding manual to evaluate the math and science pedagogical content knowledge of 52 pre-service teachers.

Elementary Tutoring Project

Dr. Casey Hord – 2023-2024

  • Managing a team of undergraduate tutors and overseeing their training in elementary mathematics to ensure they are equipped to meet the needs of the students in their placement schools.

  • Partnering with elementary school personnel to create a comprehensive set of developmentally appropriate tutoring materials focused on play-based learning and interactive games to improve student mastery of mathematics.

  • Coordinated the scheduling and delivery of tutoring services to three elementary schools to ensure all students received timely and effective support.

Dynamic Measurement Group Cincinnati, OH

Assessor Spring 2012

  • Tested and evaluated a new DIBELS pictorial assessment system with 100 elementary students to determine its effectiveness in identifying student reading comprehension levels.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH

Adjunct Instructor, Early Childhood Education: August 2022 - Present

  • ECE 4018 Primary Mathematics Methods (Fall 2022)

  • ECE 4014 Primary Science Methods (Fall 2023-2024)

  • ECE 3006 Early Childhood Learning Lab (Spring 2024)

Teaching Assistant, Early Childhood Education:

  • ECE 3010 Foundations of Math and Science (Spring 2023)

  • SPED 3006 Assessment and Intervention (Fall 2023-2024)

  • SPED 3008 Curriculum Planning & Instructional Strategies : Mild to Moderate (Spring 2024)

  • SPED 7006 Assessment and Intervention (Fall 2024)

A Child’s Garden Cincinnati, OH

Lead Teacher, Pre-Kindergarten: 2009 - 2022

Lead Teacher, STEM Summer Camp: Summer 2021

  • Developed and implemented a 4-week STEAM curriculum used with 82 summer camp children.

Mentor Teacher: September 2015 – May 2019

Mentored six undergraduate students on the:

  • development of classroom management strategies with diverse groups of students using modeling and classroom practice.

  • administration and use of assessments to analyze individual and classroom needs to develop lesson plans.

  • process of developing lesson plans and utilizing flexible implementation to ensure the needs of students are met.

  • use of play-based learning within an early childhood classroom to develop mastery of mathematics, literacy, science, writing, and social skills.

  • importance of developing strong communication with students and families to create connections between the classroom and the home.

SERVICE

President (2023-2024)/ Special Committee Chair (2024-2025) – CECH Graduate Student Association

  • Presided over the meetings of the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services Graduate Student Association (CECH GSA) executive board.

  • Organized academic and networking events for CECH graduate students.

  • Advocated for CECH graduate student needs, leading toward the development and implementation of a university project to meet the basic needs of international graduate students within CECH.

  • Trained and advised the incoming president and executive board.

Graduate Student Representative – UC Graduate Student Society: 2023-2025

  • Served on the professional development committee, organizing professional development needs for UC graduate students and all graduate student associations and developing events to meet those needs.

Member - CECH Graduate Vision Board: 2023-2025

  • Collaborated with board members to design improvements to address the needs of CECH graduate students.

Member – Inclusive Excellence Collective: 2023-2025

  • Served as a representative of CECH graduate students to provide a voice for student needs and concerns

Moderator – UC Master’s Capstone Presentations: Spring 2023

  • Moderated capstone presentations for students in the Curriculum & Instruction program.

Preschool Representative – Oak Hills Local School District Literacy Kit Committee: Spring 2014

  • Collaborated with teammates on a 12-member multi-disciplinary research committee of administrators and educators within the Oak Hills School District as the local private preschool representative.

  • Researched the literacy needs of early elementary students within the district as part of a 3-member subcommittee.

  • Designed interactive game-based literacy kit components utilizing research-based practices to develop early childhood letter recognition and phonemic awareness.

  • Produced and prepared literacy kits for use by local elementary schools and preschools.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

American Educational Research Association (AERA) 2022-Present

Cognitive Science Society 2023-Present

John Dewey Society 2023-Present

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) 2021-Present

National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) 2022-Present

Mathematical Cognition and Learning Society (MCLS Trainee) 2022-Present

The Association for the Study of Play (TASP) 2023-Present

PUBLICATIONS

Berman, T. (2022, November 23). VOICES: Is universal preschool the answer to falling test scores? Dayton Daily News.

Berman, T. (2024). STEAM learning centers: A tool for early childhood education. Voices of Reform: Educational Research to Inform and Reform 6(1). 106–19. https://doi.org/10.32623/6.00008.

PRESENTATIONS

Berman, T. & Maas, C. (2023, October 20). Noticing in early mathematics and science: A study of pre-service teachers’ field notes [Conference presentation]. MWERA 2023, Cincinnati, OH, United States.

Berman, T. (2024, March 7). Tech to empower struggling learners [Presentation]. Tech & Teaching Tips Faculty Showcase, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States.

Hord, C., Berman, T., & Adams. D (2024, March 14). Designing, implementing, and refining a school-university partnership to improve service delivery for struggling students [Conference session]. Ohio Dean's Compact 2024, Columbus, OH, United States.

Tiffany N. Berman - Curriculum Vitae