About AATM

Christel Bruno brings more than two decades of experience teaching mathematics and coaching educators. She began her career as a middle and high school math teacher before moving into leadership roles as a site-based coach, district mathematics and technology specialist, and STEM Specialist with the Arizona Department of Education. Her work has increasingly focused on strengthening K - 12 instructional systems and building educator capacity in mathematics and data science.

Outside of her professional work, Christel advocates for STEM education in Arizona. She has served as STEM Representative and Grants Chair for the Arizona Association of Teachers of Mathematics, an affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and recently began her term as President. She also serves as Professional Learning Co-Chair for Arizona Math Leaders, an affiliate of the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics.

Christel holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Natural Science from Arizona State University. A committed lifelong learner, she is an ISTE Certified Educator and a Next Generation Science Facilitator.

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 Dr. Amy McCarthy has been an educator with the Chandler Unified School District since 2001.  Before moving into administration, she has taught junior high and high school mathematics and served the district’s secondary math specialist. Amy is currently Assistant Principal at Casteel High School.  In addition, she is faculty associate at Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University and a reviewer at EdReports. Amy jointed the AATM board in 2024. 

 Dr. Amy McCarthy has been an educator with the Chandler Unified School District since 2001.  Before moving into administration, she has taught junior high and high school mathematics and served the district’s secondary math specialist. Amy is currently Assistant Principal at Casteel High School.  In addition, she is faculty associate at Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University and a reviewer at EdReports. Amy jointed the AATM board in 2024. 

 Kerri Zitar has been an educator for 17 years, including 16 years as an elementary classroom teacher. She currently serves as Math Project Manager for Tempe Elementary School District, where she specializes in PK-8 mathematics. Kerri holds both a Bachelor and Master of Arts in Education from Arizona State University, along with endorsements in K-8 Mathematics, Early Childhood Education, Gifted Education, K-5 Structured Literacy, and Structured English Immersion.  A recipient of the AATM 2022 Copper Apple Award, she has developed and presented professional development nationally through NCTM, as well as regionally with AATM and the CRR. Kerri currently serves as AATM's NCTM Representative and as Associate Editor for the Elementary Grade Band of NCTM's Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK-12 (MTLT). She strives to bridge the gap between research and practice, ensuring every classroom is a space where student agency and deep thinking thrive.  

Leigh has served on the AATM Board as the Membership Chair since October 2020. She has been in the education field for over 18 years and has a wide range of experiences in K-8 education. As an Army spouse, she has taught in schools across the country, including a variety of districts in Arizona. Since 2019, she has been working with the Center for the Recruitment and Retention of Mathematics Teachers at the University of Arizona as a Teacher Leader, facilitating math content development workshops.  

AATM Communications Lead

AATM Member since 2016

Arizona Educator for 30 years

National Board Certified in Adolescent Mathematics and Generalist

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 Rebecca is in her ninth year of teaching - two in elementary art, five in middle school art, one in middle school math and now as a middle school special education teacher. She’s a lifelong learner and loves to attend professional development courses and facilitate learning opportunities for others. This is her first year on the AATM board.  

Michelle has over 25 years of experience teaching 2nd-10th grades.  Over the years, she has refined her instructional approach by embracing a more cognitive approach to deepen students’ mathematical thinking and problem solving skills.  For the past two years, she has partnered with the Mohawk Valley K-5 staff as the Math Coach to design and strengthen instructional models that build conceptual understanding, with a particular focus this year on developing strong number sense in all learners. She is committed to fostering a positive math identity among both students and teachers. Michelle believes every student is a mathematician, and that challenging and overcoming math stereotypes is ongoing work we do together as a learning community. 

She has been teaching 6-8 math classes at Mohawk Valley School the last four years and has participated in the Center for Retention and Recruitment of Mathematics Teachers Middle School Boot Camp program and Elementary School program. She also participated in coaching professional development through the Arizona Department of Education and this year her school also partnered with ADE in their K-3 Teaching Partners Program. She has been a MEAD presenter the last two years in Tucson on Mathematics Educator Appreciation Day. 

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My love for math education began as a tutor in college 27 years ago. I went on to teach at the middle school and high school level for 14 years. I stretched my knowledge of the mathematics learning progression to include kindergarten through AP Calculus for 6 years. My most recent adventure is supporting 6 - 12th grade science and mathematics teachers. I love learning and challenging myself and others. My belief is that although we can't make anyone learn, it is our responsibility to provide every opportunity and support possible, partnered with the belief that every student can find success. My goal as the East Central VP is to provide learning and resources to help teachers be the best they can be for our students. 

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I’m Nicole Paul, an educator in the Madison Elementary School District with a passion for mathematics. I began my teaching career in 2010 as a 4th-grade teacher, where I quickly discovered my love for math education. After five years, I collaborated with a co-worker to departmentalize instruction, allowing me to focus solely on teaching math. This experience deepened my enthusiasm for the subject and helped me develop innovative strategies to support students in mastering complex concepts.After nine years in elementary school, I transitioned to teaching 7th-grade math at the middle school level, which challenged me to adapt to new standards and classroom management techniques. This role broadened my understanding of math education across grade levels and allowed me to support older students effectively.

Now, in my fourth year as a district math instructional coach, I work closely with teachers and administrators, providing professional development and sharing best practices in math instruction. As a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, I stay connected with a network of educators and continually access resources to bring the latest research and strategies to our district. My goal is to enhance our collective ability to meet the diverse needs of all our students across the state.

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 Suzi Mast is a proud Arizona certified teacher and administrator for over 30 years.  Suzi recently retired (for a hot second) from the Arizona Department of Education where she was the Director of K-12 Mathematics and Educational Technology for over nine years. Suzi has also been a middle school and high school teacher in Arizona, worked in the private sector in educational technology, and an administrator for a K-8 district leading math and science curriculum, instruction and assessment.  Suzi specialists in Formative Assessment, MTSS and social and emotional learning in math with a focus on equity for all students.  Suzi is also on the Board for AATM.  Suzi is currently consulting and presenting in Arizona and on the national level. 

Marisa Tualla is a K12 Math Specialist for the Arizona Department of Education. She has been working in math education for 15 years.  Previously worked as a Math Instructional Specialist for the Washington Elementary School District.  She has ten years of teaching experience in elementary, middle school, and high school mathematics in Arizona and overseas with the International Baccalaureate program.  Marisa serves on the board of Arizona Math Leaders and Arizona Association of Teachers of Mathematics. Marisa is passionate about math education and the belief that all students are mathematicians.