NCSM Leadership in Mathematics Education Learning with Leaders

Episode122-Albert Vilalta Riera, "When You Talk To Mathematics, Mathematics Talks Back To You" 15.06.2026 43min

In this episode, hosts Karen Riley Jeffers and Abel Maestas welcome Albert Vilalta Riera. Albert is an engineer turned mathematics educator. Over the past decade, he has taught mathematics at many levels, from early childhood to high school and university, in Spain and the United States. Currently, he leads the Innovamat Learning team in the US, focusing on research, curriculum development, and professional learning. Originally from Barcelona and now based in the US, he tries to bring a multicultural perspective to all his work. This diverse classroom experience, combined with his academic research, fuels his commitment to bridging theory and practice in math education. #NCSMBold

Episode121-Raj Shah, "Seeing the Value in Every Person" 11.05.2026 37min

In this episode, hosts Karen Riley Jeffers and Abel Maestas welcome Dr. Raj Shah to the most recent episode of our Belonging Series. Tune in to hear how teachers can create a space of belonging for students and how leaders can create a space of belonging for teachers by seeing the value in every person. #NCSMBold

Episode120-Joanna Burt-Kinderman, "All of Us are Greater than Any of Us" 15.04.2026 54min

In this episode, hosts Karen Riley Jeffers and Abel Maestas welcome Joanna Burt-Kinderman, Jami Packer, and Brittney Baisden to the most recent episode of our Belonging Series. Tune in to hear how they created a space of belonging for teachers through their Mountaineer Mathematics Master Teachers (M3T) program. Hear personal testimonials of how this space of belonging changed the trajectory of some teachers’ lives. #NCSMBold

Episode119-Sherita Flake, "Create Belonging in STEM Through Cultural Identity" 11.03.2026 38min

In this episode, hosts Karen Riley Jeffers and Abel Maestas welcome Dr. Sherita Flake to the most recent episode of our Belonging Series. Tune in to hear how the importance of belonging was recognized at an early age through the misalignment between the lessons learned from her loved ones in her kitchen and the lessons learned at school. Additionally, learn how belonging is a three-part structure, composed of identity, asset, and agency. #NCSMBold

Episode118-JMEL Authors, "Elevating Belonging for Leaders" 11.02.2026 55min

In this episode, hosts Karen Riley Jeffers and Abel Maestas welcome the authors from the winter NCSM Journal of Mathematics Education Leadership (JMEL). These authors represent a wealth of knowledge ranging from work with students, student teachers, teachers, coaches and leaders. Listen to find out how the work of these three author groups center. #NCSMBold

Episode117-Asale Smith, "Creating a Space Where Confidence in Mathematics Grows" 11.01.2026 47min

In this episode, hosts Karen Riley Jeffers and Abel Maestas welcome Asale Smith to the most recent episode of our Belonging Series. Tune in to hear concrete examples of how leaders can create spaces of belonging in mathematics for teachers and how teachers can in turn do the same for their students. Additionally, learn about the CAIRO framework and how it supports aand elevates understanding, confidence and belonging in mathematics. #NCSMBold

Episode116-Jenn Malue Bartone, "Hidden Brilliance: What We Miss When We Reduce ADHD to a Label" 11.12.2025 52min

In this episode, hosts Karen Riley Jeffers and Abel Maestas welcome Dr. Jenn Malue Bartone, to the most recent episode of our Belonging Series. Tune in to hear how self-efficacy contributed to Jenn’s success as a math educator and how she advocates for neurodivergent learners. She speaks candidly about her challenges as a neurodivergent educator and how she’s leveraged them to empower others. You won’t want to miss this great discussion. #NCSMBold

Episode115-Yvonne Daniels and Sean Nank, "Be Loud and Listen" 11.11.2025 48min

In this episode, hosts Karen Riley Jeffers and Abel Maestas welcome Sean Nank and Yvonne Daniels to the live recording of the podcast at the 57th Annual NCSM Conference. Sean Nank is a PAEMST recipient, professor, consultant, author, math teacher, facilitator, and Solution Tree Associate. He is the two term past-president of the Greater San Diego Mathematics Council and his current research includes creating equitable space for student voices while integrating students’ passions into K-12 classrooms via empathetic storytelling, technology, curricula, and Instructional Routines. Sean has numerous publications including four books and has presented at local, regional, state, national, and international conferences over 125 times. Yvonne is a dedicated educator and advocate for equitable education, driven by a commitment to meeting students "where they are." Her career spans high school teaching, innovative curriculum development, and community leadership, marked by pioneering methods like project-based Algebra 1 and mathematics dance classes. She's also shaped educational practices as a curriculum supervisor, founded a non-profit for underserved youth, and co-authored a series on educational disparities. Fueled by her own experiences, Yvonne authored "An Educator’s Journey Through Failure" to illustrate her journey through educational barriers. Her mission is to help dismantle barriers and create pathways for all children, ensuring they access an education aligned with their potential. Listen in to what it means to be loud and listen to uplift belonging for our educators and students #NCSMBold

Episode114-Ki Karou, "Belonging in Action" 11.10.2025 34min

In this episode, hosts Karen Riley Jeffers and Abel Maestas welcome Ki Karou. As Senior Director of Product, Content for MIND Education, Ki Karou leads a team of learning and game designers, artists, and mathematicians developing the next generation of the ST Maths interactive programs. Ki has been designing neuroscience-driven ed tech solutions for over a decade. Prior to joining MIND, he founded Beyond Math, an education company focused on teaching math in unique and non-traditional ways. Ki has spoken at SXSWedu and written articles published in Huffington Post. He has a bachelor’s in engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. #NCSMBold

Episode113-Deborah Peart Crayton, "Building a Community of Mathers" 11.09.2025 48min

In this episode, hosts Karen Riley Jeffers and Abel Maestas welcome Deborah Peart Crayton. Deborah is the founder and Queen Mather of My Mathematical Mind. She is the author of Readers Read. Writers Write. Mathers Math!: Bridging the Gap between Literacy and Mathematics. Deborah is a doctoral candidate focused on finding solutions to support elementary educators with improving math teaching efficacy by leveraging the confidence found in teaching literacy. She has dedicated her career and doctoral studies to supporting educators with innovative teaching strategies that allow students to be curious problem-solvers and see themselves as assets to the learning community. Deborah believes all children deserve high-quality instruction, joyful learning experiences, and the opportunity to become competent and confident readers, writers, and mathers. #NCSMBold

Episode112-Joshuah Thurbee, "Belonging Starts with Knowing Yourself" 11.08.2025 48min

In this episode, hosts Karen Riley Jeffers and Abel Maestas welcome Joshuah Thurbee. Joshuah Thurbee is a math methods instructor at the University of Pennsylvania and a Senior Program Officer for Teacher Development at the Knowles Teacher Initiative where he works with beginning high school math and science teachers to improve math and science education in the U.S. His work in education spans more than 20 years where he's worked as a math and science teacher, a math and science methods course instructor, and a coach for early career math and science teachers. His areas of interest include math education, social justice, equity, teacher education and LGBTQ issues. #NCSMBold

Episode111-Rolanda Baldwin, "Redefine School Mathematics with a GLEAM!" 11.07.2025 34min

In this episode, hosts Karen Riley Jeffers and Abel Maestas welcome Rolanda Baldwin. Rolanda has worn many hats throughout her journey but her love for mathematics education led her to join UnboundEd as a math specialist, where she rose to the role of Math Director. Today, Rolanda proudly serves as the Vice President of Program Design, where she's responsible for overseeing the growth and development of UnboundEd's entire math, science, and UnboundEd Planning Process (UPP) program portfolio. Rolanda’s thoughtful approach to program development and active involvement in strategic organizational initiatives and external partnerships is a testament to her sincere commitment to her craft. Her enthusiasm for mathematics education is infectious, and she's dedicated to empowering every individual to become a "math person." Rolanda is passionate about reshaping educational systems and frameworks to help educators plan and deliver grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful STEM instruction. #NCSMBold

Episode110-Yvonne Daniels, "Making a Ruckus -- Being an Educational Rebel" 11.06.2025 43min

Hosts Karen Riley Jeffers and Abel Maestas welcome Yvonne Daniels to the most recent episode of our Belonging Series. Yvonne is a dedicated educator and advocate for equitable education, driven by a commitment to meeting students "where they are." Her career spans high school teaching, innovative curriculum development, and community leadership, marked by pioneering methods like project-based Algebra 1 and mathematics dance classes. She's also shaped educational practices as a curriculum supervisor, founded a non-profit for underserved youth, and co-authored a series on educational disparities. Fueled by her own experiences, Yvonne authored “An Educator’s Journey Through Failure” to illustrate her journey through educational barriers. Her mission is to help dismantle barriers and create pathways for all children, ensuring they access an education aligned with their potential. Tune in to hear how Yvonne’s life experiences led her education and be a fierce advocate for our children. Learn how she makes a ruckus to bring about systemic change. #NCSMBold

Episode109-Marta Garcia, "Redefining Mathematics For Belonging" 11.05.2025 39min

In this episode, hosts Karen Riley Jeffers and Abel Maestas welcome Marta Garcia, an elementary mathematics specialist/coach with over 30 years of experience in teaching, coaching and facilitating professional learning. She currently works as a mathematics coach with a variety of school districts across the US, and teaches graduate courses focusing on mathematics leadership. She is part of the equity team that is working to develop tools to support teachers at the Forum for Equity in Mathematics and co-facilitates an online professional network for math coaches and teacher leaders with her colleague Polly Wagner. Marta speaks passionately about her own experience finding her space in math as well as the importance of redefining mathematics in order for it to be a place of belonging. Talking to Marta is like talking to an old friend. This is a discussion you certainly don’t want to miss. #NCSMBold

Episode108-JMEL Authors, "Building a Vision for Everyone To Belong" 11.04.2025 34min

In this episode, hosts Karen Riley Jeffers and Abel Maestas welcome the authors from the winter NCSM Journal of Mathematics Education Leadership (JMEL). These authors, who are all members of higher education, represent a wealth of knowledge ranging from work with students, student teachers, teachers, and coaches. In this episode each author group shares how their work connects to each other and how they all contribute to supporting belonging in math education. “Rough drafting” and living in “rough draft mode” is a significant theme arising from this discussion. Listen to find out what this means, how it applies to all of our work, and how the work of these three author groups center belonging and compliment each other. #NCSMBold

Episode107-Lynne Godfrey, "Mathematics: Teaching Mathematics like Social Studies" 11.03.2025 40min

In this episode, hosts Karen Riley Jeffers and Abel Maestas welcome Lynne Godfrey, an Educational Math Consultant who designs and facilitates professional learning around equitable learning communities for coaches, teachers, and administrators. Notably, she has worked with Bob Moses and the Algebra Project and is NCSM’s 2024 recipient of the Kay Gilliland Lecture Award. In this episode, Lynne shares how her work with Bob Moses led to creating spaces of belonging for both teachers and students. #NCSMBold

Episode106-Lou Matthews, "Mathematics: Seeing the Beauty in People" 11.02.2025 44min

In this episode, hosts Karen Riley Jeffers and Abel Maestas welcome Dr. Lou Matthews, an innovator at heart, founder of InspireMath, whose work extends across the U.S., the Caribbean, and the African diasporas. In this episode, Dr. Lou challenges us to consider the space of mathematics and whether it is truly a place where we want to belong. Hear what he says about how math can love people. This is a discussion you certainly don’t want to miss. #NCSMBold

Episode105-Hanaa Elmi, "Embracing Students from Fragments to their Whole Authentic Selves" 11.01.2025 32min

In this episode, hosts Karen Riley Jeffers and Abel Maestas welcome Hanaa Elmi, an elementary educator in Ontario, Canada who is rooted in ensuring that classrooms are safe, responsive, and humanizing places for students. In this episode, Hanaa prompts us to reflect on whether we’re accepting students as their whole authentic selves or whether our structures require them to leave fragments of themselves at the door. This is a discussion you certainly don’t want to miss. #NCSMBold

Episode104-RunningHorse Livingston, "Belonging: Teaching Culture vs. Teaching Culturally" 11.12.2024 45min

In this episode, hosts Karen Riley Jeffers and Abel Maestas welcome RunningHorse Livingston, to the second episode of our Belonging Series. RunningHorse Livingston has always loved mathematics and works to ensure others experience the joy and beauty of mathematics the way he knows it to be. He is the founder and CEO of Mathematize Inc., whose mission is to promote education and educationally related opportunities for Indigenous People. RunningHorse, a nationally recognized educator and consultant, has spent 13 years helping teachers across the country make sense of their roles in the age of Common Core standards and making schools more constructive places for Indigenous children. Tune in to hear how RunningHorse connects the cultural values of Indigenous People to belonging in the mathematics classroom and his explanation as to why that 60 minute time allotment for math class is the most important time of the day for our children. #NCSMBold

Episode103-Crystal Watson, "Belonging: The Power of Believing" 11.11.2024 27min

In this episode, hosts Karen Riley Jeffers and Abel Maestas welcome Crystal Watson, a Doctoral Candidate and Elementary School Principal in Ohio, to the first episode of our Belonging Series. Tune in to hear how Crystal’s love language guides her actions to nurture a sense of belonging in others through the power of believing. She offers practical suggestions to support creating a sense of belonging we can all implement, right now! #NCSMBold