Dr. Cacey Wells

Office address
234 D
College of Education Building

Dr. Cacey Wells is an associate professor of mathematics education in the Department of Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum at Appalachian State University. He earned both his Ph.D. and M.Ed. from the University of Oklahoma. Boomer Sooner!

Prior to coming to Appalachian State, Cacey taught high school mathematics for six years in San Antonio, Texas, and served as a professional development coordinator at the University of Oklahoma’s K20 Center for three years before joining the college's faculty in 2019.

His research areas focus on mathematics education, authenticity, recreational mathematics, learning spaces, and teaching mathematics for social change. He is a member of the School Science and Mathematics Association and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

In 2021, Dr. Wells received the college's Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award. 

When not teaching courses or exploring ideas in the office, you can generally find Cacey fly fishing around the High Country or hiking a trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway with his family.

Selected Publications

• Wells, C. & Jones, L. (anticipated 2027). A first grade foray into infinity. Mathematics Teaching: Learning and Teaching PK - 12.
• Wells, C. (2026). Mathematical learning (recreational mathematics and problem-solving). In Erin M. Casey & Courtney Dewhirst (Eds.) Play Across All Spaces: Using the Power of Play to Support Meaningful Experiences in Every Context. Kendall Hunt.
• Wells, C. (2026). Math in the wild. Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK-12. 119(5), 142.