College of Education assistant professor encourages collaboration, research among faculty and students

Mississippi State Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Foundations Assistant Professor Elaine Wei is quick to admit that mathematics was never her strongest subject in grade school. 

“Statistics on the other hand...statistics are for everyone!” she said, smiling. For China native Wei, becoming an educational psychologist who lives in Mississippi was never a part of her plans. Coming from her home country to the U.S. was a bit of a shock for Wei. She finished her undergraduate studies in law in China and came to the U.S. for graduate school at Texas Tech. She explained that she feels more at home in Mississippi where the climate is similar to her hometown and that working at a university where she can teach, as well as conduct research, is a plus as well.

Wei began publishing articles in graduate school with the help of her adviser, who’s research interest was in special education. As an educational psychology major, Wei felt this also was a perfect research area for her. She credited her strong research background to this graduate advisor who included Wei in many projects. This is a practice Wei continues with her own students at MSU, in research and the classroom.

 “I often joke with my students when I introduce myself. I tell them, ‘I teach your favorite classes in graduate school: Statistics 1, Statistics 2 and Statistics 3,’” said Wei.

She admits that many students struggle with learning statistics, and more often than not they enter her class thinking it will be their least favorite. While her classes may not be the most popular, Wei enjoys teaching them because, like a lot of her students, she didn’t come from a math background. This helps her connect with them by relating statistics scientifically to their lives and not trying to teach just statistical formulas. By giving real-world examples, she hopes to see students have that “a-ha” moment when statistics start to make sense. 

“My favorite part is when I’m teaching, and I see a student’s facial expression that communicates ‘Oh! Finally!’ All of a sudden the pieces come together because I’m explaining it in a way that’s understandable.”