She coordinates the Mathematic Specialty and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in mathematics education with a special focus on teaching mathematics through children’s literature. Moreover, Dr. Turkel works along with elementary school teachers to find ways to use nonfiction children’s literature to highlight the mathematics imbedded in the science standards. She has coauthored several articles on using nonfiction children’s literature to teach science and math, including the most recent one "How Nonfiction Reveals the Nature of Science" in Children’s Literature and Education.