Delaware Math Equity Annual Conference

Dr. Amanda (Mandy) Jansen is a Professor in the School of Education with a joint appointment in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Delaware. Previously, she taught mathematics to students in grades 7-9 in Mesa Arizona. She has a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Arizona and a Ph.D. in educational psychology from Michigan State University. At the University of Delaware, she teaches future elementary and middle school mathematics teachers and doctoral students who are studying to become mathematics education researchers. Her book, Rough Draft Math: Revising to Learn, was published by Stenhouse.

Dr. Kobett is an Associate Professor at Stevenson University. In addition to teaching mathematics and math methods courses, she serves as Director of the First Year Seminar program at the college. She is an active leader in the Maryland Teachers of Mathematics and National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics organizations. Dr. Kobett is a highly regarded national level speaker, consultant, and the author or co-author of numerous articles, book chapters, and books. Her most recent publication is entitled “Strengths Based Teaching & Learning in Mathematics.”

Jennifer Ranum is currently a Curriculum Consultant for the Math Learning Center. She takes her knowledge and expertise from 20 years as a classroom teacher, instructional leadership team member, and her experiences using Bridges in Mathematics as she works with new and existing Bridges districts. She enjoys modeling lessons, coaching teachers and administrators, writing blogs, facilitating Getting Started and Support Workshops for both Bridges and Intervention, and presenting at various math conferences around the United States.

Jennifer Christensen is a Curriculum Consultant for the Math Learning Center. She has been a classroom teacher for over 25 years, with additional experience in her district as an Instructional Facilitator. She has worked with teachers and coaches implementing Bridges in Getting Started workshops, lesson studies, and a variety of other topics related to implementation. She recognizes the challenges that face elementary teachers and is passionate about empowering teachers to see the potential in every student.

Lorianne Kalb is grade seven mathematics teacher in the Colonial School District where she also serves as a Lead Mentor in the District’s Induction Program. She is team leader at Gunning Bedford, a district level teacher leader, and an active member of the Delaware Mathematics Coalition. She is a highly respected educator and the 1996 recipient of the Science Alliance and DuPont Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and the 1999 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching awardee. She has also been Gunning Bedford’s Teacher of the Year (1997, 2020). Lorianne is passionate about equity in mathematics and has high expectations for her students as problem solvers. She believes when teachers cultivate positive relationships– adults-to-students and peer-to-peer – they help foster student agency.

Dr. Peter Liljedahl is the author of the book, “Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics.” He is a former high school mathematics teacher who currently serves as a Professor of Mathematics Education in the Faculty of Education and an associate member in the Department of Mathematics at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada. He has authored or co-authored 12 books, over 38 book chapters, 38 journal articles, and over 50 conference papers. He is the recent recipient of the Cmolik Prize for enhancement of public education in BC as well as the Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award for innovation and excellence in mathematics education. His research interests have continued to revolve around what happens in the mathematics classroom. He consults regularly with schools, school districts, and ministries of education on issues of teaching and learning, assessment, and numeracy.

Dr. Corey Drake is the Senior Director for Professional Learning at The Math Learning Center. Prior to joining The Math Learning Center, she was the Director of Teacher Preparation and a Professor of Teacher Education and Math Education at Michigan State University. Her professional learning work with teachers and instructional leaders is focused on supporting teachers to use curriculum materials to teach elementary mathematics in equitable, just, and humanizing ways.

Dr. Brian Lawler’s scholarship focuses on equity issues in mathematics education; in particular, the ways in which power and knowledge intertwine to govern the learner’s mathematical identity. His core research examines the personal epistemologies of adolescent mathematicians: Do high school maths students see themselves as mathematical authors? This interest leads him to seek to understand the ways that students come to know the school, classroom, and teacher contexts, and how these knowings interact with their mathematical identities. During his 30+ year career as a mathematics educator, he has supported teachers, schools, and districts to de-track mathematics programs and transform teaching practices. He is a contributing author to the internationally acclaimed high school mathematics curriculum Interactive Mathematics Program. His current research projects (district change and community organizing) focus upon how schools and districts transform their mathematics instruction to foreground student ways of thinking (inventions) against the backdrop of high-stakes education.

Dr. Laura Willoughby is the high school math specialist for the Brandywine School District. Previously she worked with the University of Delaware School Success Center as an instructional specialist in multiple school districts in Delaware. Her research involves exploring student voices and perspectives on math as a subject and how they experience math in their classrooms. She is a strong believer that every student should have the opportunity to experience rigorous and meaningful math tasks and that each individual student brings unique strengths and experiences to the classroom.”

An enthusiastic educator, Dr. Amie King fosters learning and improves lives. She is committed to knowledge attainment and strives to continuously learn ways to motivate and present enriching instructional activities that address all students.

Dr. Sam Prough is a teacher educator and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Delaware. Sam previously taught high school mathematics. Over the past 5 years, Sam has worked with in-service elementary teachers to support classroom discussion facilitation across content areas. Sam is particularly interested in how to support students’ mathematical learning by looking at how teachers and families engage children in meaningful learning activities.

Kathleen Olenderski is a fifth grade teacher in the Appoquinimink School District. Prior to her current position, she taught secondary mathematics at Alfred G. Waters Middle School. Kathleen is a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching and has presented at the local and national (NCSM) levels. She is committed to teaching in order to promote every child’s mathematical understanding and deliberately engages all students in meaningful opportunities to build knowledge as part of a community of learners. Kathleen is a long-term participant of the Delaware Mathematics Coalition’s professional learning programs.

Dr. Christina Barbieri is an assistant professor affiliated with the Ph.D. in Educational Statistics and Research Methods (ESRM) and the learning sciences Ph.D. in Education specialization in the School of Education at the University of Delaware. She also teaches in the Elementary Teacher Education (ETE) program and serves as the Director of the M^3 lab: Math Methods & Motivation. Her research program focuses on understanding and implementing the types of opportunities students need to thrive in mathematics classrooms, whether that be in the form of specific types of instructional tools or in a climate that fosters positive mathematics attitudes.

Rebecca Caporale-Guarino is a New York native and has been teaching mathematics in New York City public schools for 9 years. She graduated in 2015 from University of Delaware with degrees in Secondary Mathematics Education and Women and Gender Studies. She then received her masters degree in Sociology and Education from Teachers College at Columbia. Rebecca is passionate about creating an equitable space for students to feel comfortable to learn mathematics in a fun and interactive way.

Mike Wallus is the Vice President for Educator Support at The Math Learning Center. He has 17 years of experience as a classroom teacher, and in 2012 he was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Previously, Mike was an elementary mathematics coordinator and curriculum director in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metro area.

Yavet Respes is a native of Philadelphia and attended Millersville University where her first major was biology. It was not until she took a few classes in education that she decided to try education. After graduating and beginning her teaching career, she realized that “this could be it”. 32 years later, she has seen many changes in education but I continue to stay in the classroom.” Her greatest accomplishment in education was being selected as a 2023 a finalist for the DE Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The award recognizes those teachers that have both deep content knowledge of the subjects they teach and the ability to motivate and enable students to be successful in those areas.

Rebecca Caporale-Guarino is a New York native and has been teaching mathematics in New York City public schools for 9 years. She graduated in 2015 from University of Delaware with degrees in Secondary Mathematics Education and Women and Gender Studies. She then received her masters degree in Sociology and Education from Teachers College at Columbia. Rebecca is passionate about creating an equitable space for students to feel comfortable to learn mathematics in a fun and interactive way.

Abi Leaf is a long-term mathematics educator in San Diego County, CA. Until recently Ms. Leaf led a multi-year equity-based change effort at the district level focused on transforming the instructional and professional experiences for all students and teachers of mathematics, including detracking offered math pathways. Her current position as a school-based administrator is serving to broaden her understanding of the systemic change and support necessary to sustain productive change in mathematics instruction and outcomes. She is currently completing a 3-year term on NCTM’s Research Committee, most recently acting as Chair.

Dr. Lynsey Gibbons is an associate professor specializing in mathematics education in the School of Education at the University of Delaware. Lynsey’s research interests are motivated by her deep respect for teachers and students and her sincere interest in understanding how to teach in ways that respond to children’s brilliance and position them as capable sensemakers. Lynsey’s explore teacher learning through an organizational and systems perspective with special attention to professional learning routines, the roles of instructional leaders such as principals and coaches, and the role of coherent learning events that occur within the system. “She works alongside teachers to understand the interrelation of their instructional practices and school-wide efforts to support them.”

Jason Orlen has been an educator for eighteen years at East Millsboro Elementary located in Millsboro, Delaware. His experiences include teaching third through fourth grade, while currently serving as the school’s math interventionist. He is a member of the Delaware Bridges Cadre and Delaware Math Steering Committee. In addition to the time he spends teaching at the elementary level, he has also served as an adjunct professor at Wilmington University and facilitates workshops nationwide as a member of the Math Learning Center.

Bryan Meyer works as a Mathematics Program Specialist in San Diego, CA. His work and interests involve systemic changes to mathematics programs that can function towards realizing a vision of meaningful, joyful, and equitable mathematics education.

Suzi Sappington is a dynamic and passionate math educator, dedicated to instilling a love for mathematics and fostering a positive learning environment. With over 11 years of experience as a math teacher, Suzi has become an influential figure in the realm of education, consistently igniting a spark of curiosity and enthusiasm within her students.