James L. Overholt

James L. Overholt is an Ed.D.-trained mathematics educator with over 30 years of teaching experience, and a Professor of Education at California State University, Chico, where he specializes in mathematics education for both practicing and prospective teachers. His work emphasizes the use of manipulative and visual materials to support mathematics instruction, a focus he has pursued since the 1960s in roles spanning elementary and secondary teaching in Minnesota and Wyoming and later university-level teaching and teacher workshops.

Overholt is the author and coauthor of several widely used resources for math teachers, including Math Wise! Over 100 Hands-On Activities that Promote Real Math Understanding, Grades K–8 and Math Stories for Problem Solving Success: Ready-to-Use Activities Based on Real-Life Situations, Grades 6–12 (Second Edition). His earlier publications also include Math Problem Solving for Grades 4 Through 8, Math Problem Solving: Beginners Through Grade 3, and Big Math Activities for Young Children for Preschool, Kindergarten, and Primary Children, all focused on practical, classroom-ready approaches to developing students’ problem-solving skills.