Dr. Welder earned a B.S. in Mathematics and Mathematics Teaching with a minor in Accounting from the University of Mary, Bismarck, ND, where she obtained secondary mathematics teaching credentials. She then earned an M.S. in Mathematics from the University of North Dakota, where she studied Topology, Analysis, and Game Theory. Dr. Welder’s Ph.D. in Mathematics, with Specialization in Mathematics Education, from Montana State University focused on preservice elementary teachers’ specialized mathematical content knowledge of prerequisite algebra concepts.