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.

Kelly Cota has been working in education since graduating from Mayville State University with a BA in secondary math education. He spent his first 9 years in education as a teacher in a variety of settings that include 8th grade mathematics, 6-8 grade ESS, as well as high school mathematics. During this time, he also earned a master’s degree in cross-categorical special education from the University of Phoenix.

During the summer of 2013, Kelly transitioned from the classroom to work as a Math Education Specialist for Pinal County Education Services. This work has allowed him to learn and work with teachers and other educators in Pinal County as well as across the state of Arizona.

Kelly joined the AATM board in September of 2019 and has served as the NCTM Representative, Elections Chair and President. He is grateful for the opportunity to work with so many talented and dedicated AATM board members and is excited for the future of the organization. 

I have been teaching in the San Tan Valley area since 2007, middle school and high school mathematics.  My focus/passion is 9th graders, particularly those that struggle academically and/or have faced significant obstacles in their journey so far in school/life.  National Board Certified in AYA Math, my goal in the classroom is to make math (Algebra) accessible to all students.  While all of our students will not use every piece of Algebra in their adult lives, they will need to be able to use the problem solving, critical thinking, and logical skills (among others!) that they are building every day in the classroom.  My goal as AATM secretary is to keep the organization organized, efficient, and able to share instructional resources and support throughout Arizona.

Dr. Amy McCarthy is an educational leader with over 25 years of experience across junior high and high school settings. Amy holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics from The Pennsylvania State University, a Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Northern Arizona University, and a Doctor of Education from Northern Arizona University. She has held various roles throughout her career, including serving as a junior high and high school mathematics teacher as well as a district secondary math coach. Currently, she serves as an Assistant Principal overseeing curriculum at Hamilton High School in the Chandler Unified School District. Amy also serves as the President Elect of the Arizona Math Leaders (AML). She is passionate about ensuring mathematics teachers and leaders are fully equipped to drive systemic change in mathematics education. 

 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 Diebold has more than 20 years of experience in K–8 education, serving in school districts across the United States. She holds her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Western Oregon University and her Masters of Arts in Educational Administration and Leadership from Texas A&M University- Central Texas. Since 2019, she has worked with the Center for the Recruitment and Retention of Mathematics Teachers (CRR) at the University of Arizona, facilitating mathematics content development workshops. She has served as Membership Chair for the Arizona Association of Teachers of Mathematics (AATM) since 2020 and contributes to the association’s leadership through board service and committee work, including initiatives supporting mathematics educators. Leigh has also presented at state level and national conferences. She is an Elementary Math Teacher at Coulson Tough Elementary.

Angela Rico is a dedicated mathematics educator with more than 33 years of classroom experience and a passion for helping students and teachers see themselves as capable mathematical thinkers. She holds a Master’s degree in Bilingual Multicultural Education, a Bachelor’s degree in K–8 Education, and certifications as a Reading Specialist and mathematics educator. She is also a National Board Certified Teacher in Adolescent Mathematics.

Angela currently teaches 8th grade mathematics at Centennial Middle School and also serves as an adjunct mathematics instructor at Arizona Western College. Throughout her career, she has focused on creating classrooms where student thinking, discussion, and problem solving drive learning. She believes that students learn mathematics best when they are given opportunities to explain their reasoning, learn from mistakes, and make meaningful connections between concepts.

Beyond the classroom, Angela is actively involved in mathematics education leadership and professional learning. She serves as the Communications and Marketing Chair for the Arizona Association of Teachers of Mathematics (AATM), supporting professional development, conferences, communication, and resources for mathematics educators across Arizona. She also develops professional learning experiences for teachers, including work focused on prerequisite skill progressions, competition mathematics, and improving student success through intentional preteaching rather than repeated reteaching.

Angela’s work is grounded in a simple belief: when educators strengthen the foundation, provide meaningful opportunities for mathematical discourse, and give students the right support at the right time, more students can experience success in grade-level mathematics.

Ruth Cruz is an Arizona mathematics educator and second-grade Team Lead with 9 years of teaching experience. Originally from Puerto Rico, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Antillean Adventist University. After starting her career in Mesa, she transitioned to Buckeye, where she spent seven foundational years in kindergarten before moving into second grade to deepen student-centered math practices.

During that time, she served as a district K–2 Studio Teacher, opening her classroom as a live lab site for visiting educators to observe real-time math instruction. “Her work helped others across the district strengthen their own practice and reimagine what early math can look like”. She has presented at state conferences like WOW and MEAD while actively mentoring colleagues to step into leadership roles. Ruth is a two-time Superintendent’s Excellence Award winner and a nominee for both Teacher of the Year and the AATM Copper Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Mrs.Cruz believes that transforming early mathematics education starts with empowering both students and teachers to see themselves as capable mathematicians.

 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. 

Kathleen Malkhassian is in her 15th year in education. She spent five years teaching a K–2 multiage classroom in Sedona and ten years teaching 4th grade in the Flagstaff Unified School District. She currently serves as an Instructional Specialist in the Flagstaff Unified School District. Teachers and students are always at the heart of her work, and she is deeply committed to keeping teacher and student voice at the center of every decision she makes.

Cindi Andrew is in her 25th year in education. She spent the first 14 years teaching grades 7-12. She has spent the past 11 years supporting the work of K-12 teachers through coaching, professional learning, and curriculum and assessment development. Students are always at the heart of her work and helping teachers do the challenging job of meeting all of the various learning needs of students.

Eboney McKinney is the Director of K12 Math and Ed Tech Standards at the Arizona Department of Education and President of the Association of State Supervisors of Mathematics. She spent the first part of her career working in the Sierra Vista Public School District as a teacher-leader, instructional coach, and education advocate. She taught 4th, 5th, and 6th grade. She has presented at the local, state, and national levels. She is a member of: AML, NCSM, ASSM, BBA, TODOS, AATM, and NCTM. She earned her B.A. in Elem. Education from Prescott College, her M.A. in Mathematics Teaching, and PD and Coaching Certificate from Mount Holyoke College, MA, and is currently completing her dissertation at the University of Arizona-GC in Organizational Development and Leadership.

Nancy Casagrande has been in education for the past 18 years. She started her teaching career in Tucson where she taught K, 1, 3, 4, 5th grade reading, 6th grade science, and was a K-5 Math Interventionist. After relocating to the Phoenix area, she became a math coach, 7th and 8th grade math teacher and an assistant principal. She currently is a K-8 Math Coach in the Creighton School District. Nancy is currently the Awards chair and the Professional Learning Co-Chair for AATM. In addition to her work with AATM, Nancy teaches professional development through the CRR and at conferences around the states.

Nancy has a passion for making sure students get the conceptual understanding before they move on and for helping teachers see the value in using manipulatives in their teaching. In her roles at AATM, she is constantly looking for amazing math teachers to recognize and for opportunities to support teachers with their own professional development. 

Nancy Casagrande has been in education for the past 18 years. She started her teaching career in Tucson where she taught K, 1, 3, 4, 5th grade reading, 6th grade science, and was a K-5 Math Interventionist. After relocating to the Phoenix area, she became a math coach, 7th and 8th grade math teacher and an assistant principal. She currently is a K-8 Math Coach in the Creighton School District. Nancy is currently the Awards chair and the Professional Learning Co-Chair for AATM. In addition to her work with AATM, Nancy teaches professional development through the CRR and at conferences around the states.

Nancy has a passion for making sure students get the conceptual understanding before they move on and for helping teachers see the value in using manipulatives in their teaching. In her roles at AATM, she is constantly looking for amazing math teachers to recognize and for opportunities to support teachers with their own professional development.

With 22 years of experience in education, I am passionate about student-centered learning and empowering educators to create meaningful mathematics experiences for all students. I spent 15 years teaching high school mathematics and 5.5 years as a Mathematics Specialist in Special Education with the Arizona Department of Education. My experience includes providing professional learning for math educators across all grade levels, coaching teams in curriculum development and lesson design, and serving as an instructional and technology integration coach. I have served on the AATM Board for over four years as both Secretary and Elections Chair, supporting mathematics education across Arizona. 

In process

Nikki Paul brings over 20 years of experience in education, including teaching pre-K, fourth grade, and seventh-grade mathematics. She currently serves as the Math Instructional Coach for Madison Elementary School District, supporting teachers and administrators in implementing best practices in mathematics instruction. Nikki is passionate about creating classrooms where all students develop mathematical understanding, build confidence, and experience success.

Now in her third year on the AATM Board, Nikki has transitioned to her current role in marketing. With a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, she combines her creative background and passion for mathematics education to promote AATM’s mission, highlight professional learning, and celebrate educators. Through engaging visuals and clear communication, she helps connect and grow Arizona’s mathematics education community.

Jennifer Dwosh is an educational leader with 15 years of experience working as a public educator. She began her career teaching middle school mathematics and social studies before transitioning into instructional coaching—first as a district math specialist and currently as the School Improvement Coach at Carson Junior High in Mesa, where she supports both teachers and students.

Dedicated to advancing math education across the state, Jennifer facilitates conference sessions and develops workshops as a teacher leader for the Center for Recruitment and Retention of Mathematics Teachers (CRR). Supporting teachers in refining their instructional practice is central to her leadership philosophy.

Since 2023, Jennifer has served on the Arizona Association of Teachers of Mathematics (AATM) board as the Newsletter Manager and communications team member, driven by a passion for sharing valuable resources and opportunities with educators statewide.

In process

Ariel Beggs is a mathematics educator with two decades of classroom teaching experience. A recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), Ariel currently serves as a Programs Coordinator with the University of Arizona’s Center for Recruitment and Retention of Mathematics Teachers (CRR).

Through her work with the Arizona Association of Teachers of Mathematics (AATM), Ariel is passionate about collaborating with teachers to create learning environments where students can explore their mathematical identities, develop a sense of belonging, and build agency as confident mathematical thinkers and problem solvers.

Sylvia Olmos is currently a Math Specialist for Pinal County Education Service Agency (ESA) formally MCESA, providing professional development, mentorship, coaching support to administrators, leadership teams, teachers and students in the Pinal/Maricopa Counties and surrounding communities. At the beginning of her career she was a middle school Math and English as Second Language (ESL) teacher serving sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students in an urban elementary school district in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona for 29 years. Prior to joining Pinal County ESA, she was an Administrator for Mathematics Standards and Innovation for MCESA for 5 years. Additionally, she was an adjunct instructor for Arizona State University, where she taught Multicultural Diversity, Mathematics in the Elementary School and English as a Second Language Courses to pre-service teachers. 

Sylvia is passionate about mentoring and coaching educators, fostering meaningful partnerships, and driving positive change that leads to improved student learning outcomes. She is committed to designing impactful professional learning grounded in accessibility, equity, and high-impact Visible Learning practices that empower educators and create meaningful, lasting improvements in mathematics teaching and learning.

Suzi Mast is a proud certified mathematics teacher leader and administrator with more than 30 years of experience across PreK–12 education. A National Board Certified Teacher in Mathematics and former state-level mathematics director, Suzi is passionate about mentoring and coaching educators, building meaningful partnerships, leading systemic change, and designing professional learning grounded in equity, MTSS, and UDL.

Suzi is deeply committed to building the capacity of educators and organizations. Throughout her career, she has led statewide professional learning initiatives, mentored teachers and teacher leaders, and facilitated collaborative networks focused on improving mathematics teaching and learning.

In her “retirement,” Suzi continues to do what she loves—running her own education consulting business and working alongside Arizona mathematics educators through AATM. She believes great things happen when passionate people connect, collaborate, and learn from one another.

And, of course… Math Rocks!

Marisa Tualla is a K12 Math Specialist for the Arizona Department of Education. She has been working in math education for 17 years.  Previously worked as a Math Instructional Specialist for the Washington Elementary School District, working with curriculum, assessment, data, professional development, and classroom coaching.  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 earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona and her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Canyon University.  Marisa serves on the board of Arizona Math Leaders and Arizona Association of Teachers of Mathematics, as well as the NCSM Regional Team Leader for Arizona. Marisa is passionate about math education and the belief that all students are mathematicians.