Candidates for Western Region Vice Presidents

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Elementary: Leslie Buchanan and Meg McKee

Leslie Buchanan is a K-5 instructional coach for Haywood County Schools and a believer that all children are capable of learning mathematics. Prior to becoming a coach, Leslie taught second grade, fifth grade, and special education. The first four years of her career were spent in Jackson County before moving to Haywood County. Prior to becoming a coach, Leslie taught at Riverbend Elementary, a Title I Distinguished School and  National Blue Ribbon School. These teaching experiences provided Leslie with a broad view of how the teaching and learning of mathematics progresses over time and helped her to define the elements of strong core mathematical instruction which she believes to include an inquiry based framework where learners at all levels have access to rigorous content and discourse. Through her coaching work, Leslie has had unique opportunities to engage in Math Studios (a type of student-centered professional learning lab) across the district. She is also passionate about supporting fifth grade math students as they transition to sixth grade.

Leslie is also a current Master's student in School Administration at Appalachian State University. The pursuit of this Master's has afforded Leslie opportunities to research teaching multilingual math learners and the impact of teacher and collective efficacy on student achievement. The Western North Carolina math community has shaped who Leslie is as a mathematics instructor, and she hopes to be able to continue to serve the students and teachers in the region as the NCCTM Western Region Vice President

Meg McKee is an elementary math instructional coach with Buncombe County Schools. She was a classroom teacher for 13 years in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades and has been working in the curriculum department for 17 years. She began specializing in mathematics about 12 years ago and in that time has had multiple opportunities to work with state math leaders on various grants and projects. Meg has been a member of NCCTM for most of her teaching career and has attended and presented at many of the state conferences. Over the years, NCCTM has made vital contributions to the teaching and learning of mathematics in North Carolina and Meg would love to be a part of continuing that great work! She loves to inspire teachers and students to find their mathematical voices and celebrate the beauty of mathematics!

Middle Grades: Janet Trubey and Stacy Wozny

Janet Trubey is a Math Instructional Coach for Buncombe County Schools serving four middle schools. Prior to being a math coach she taught in a middle school for 21 years, teaching both math and science to sixth graders. She is Nationally Board Certified and holds an Academically GIfted Education masters degree. Her favorite aspect of being an educator is seeing that "lightbulb" moment when students recognize their own success in their learning journey.

Stacy Wozny is originally from Virginia and graduated from Roanoke College with a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics. While in Virginia, I taught students mathematics at Andrew Lewis Middle School (the middle school I attended) for 4 years. After marrying my husband, Brian, I moved to NC where I earned my Masters in Middle Grades Education at Appalachian State University and earned my National Boards in Early Years Mathematics. I have been a classroom teacher, an instructional facilitator and a Math Content Coach while in North Carolina for the last 21 years. This will be year 25 for me in education and I am looking forward to teaching students at Davidson K-8.

Secondary: Tierra Fender and RaChelle Perkins

Tierra Fender is in her 12th year as an educator across four states. In addition to North Carolina, I have taught and coached in Arizona, California, and New York. My experiences across four states has allowed me to understand different educational systems and see a range of possibilities. While working on my BA in Mathematics, I was persuaded to get my Masters in Math Education. Early in my career, I became an active member of the Center for Recruitment and Retention of Mathematics Teachers in Tucson, Arizona, volunteering, attending Math Circles, mentoring student teachers, and presenting at local conferences. The support I received from this organization was the catalyst for my career. My profession as a math educator became a combination of teaching, personal learning, and supporting other teachers. While in San Francisco, CA, I did a lot of work with Complex Instruction, lesson studies, video analysis, and strengths-based coaching while also earning my second Masters in Educational Administration. Following that, I got the opportunity to teach in the heart of New York City. Throughout this time, I continued to present at both local and national conferences. For the past four years, I have been both a teacher and specialist in Charlotte, while also working on my doctorates in Urban Math Curriculum and Instruction. Currently, my work includes writing curricula resources, creating and facilitating professional development, and coaching. While traveling, I have been a member of professional organizations across the country, but finally settling down has given me the opportunity to once again be an active member. As such, I would love the opportunity to serve as your NCCTM Western Vice President to both learn from the amazing educators in this state while also providing novel ideas.

RaChelle Perkins, a 27 year veteran educator that has served teachers and students both middle, high school, alternative education and juvenile detention. I have served 11 years as a classroom teacher, 11 years in the role of Math coach, and the last years have been on the district level as  Title 1 Data Coach and the past two years as a Secondary Math Specialist.  I am currently seeking my PHD at UNCC with an emphasis and concentration in Urban Education.  My favorite author, James Baldwin, once said, "the paradox of education is precisely this- that as one begins to become conscious one begins to examine the society in which it is being educated'"

NCCTM has built a collaborative mathematics community of educators that are committed to creating inclusive learning environments we all students thrive in learning mathematics. Just like NCCTM, I am committed to supporting teachers, students, parents, and our communities with understanding mathematics teaching and learning and building collaborative spaces where we can learn from one another. I hope my 27 years in mathematics education grades 6-12 in addition to my Urban Education doctoral work at UNCC will allow me to bring new perspectives that aids NCCTM mission and vision moving forward.

College: Nathan Borchelt and Kerri Jamerson

Nathan Borchelt received a Master of Science in Teaching in 1996 from the University of Florida and Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning in 2003 from Georgia State University.  From 1996-2011 I was employed at Clayton State University in Morrow, GA and served on the GCTM Conference Board in several capacities during much of that time.  I accepted a position at Western Carolina University in 2011, where I am currently a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, serving as the Program Director for Secondary Mathematics Education at WCU.  I helped establish the Smoky Mountain Math Teachers’ Circle in 2014 and one year later, co-founded the North Carolina Network of Math Teachers’ Circles (NCNMTC).  These opportunities have allowed me to meet and work with some amazing teachers across our region and state.

Why NCCTM? – All students deserve to experience mathematics in ways that allow them to be successful and empower them to think critically in solving problems. More than ever, teachers need to be supported through meaningful professional development opportunities where their joy and passion for teaching and learning mathematics is shared.  As an organization, NCCTM advocates strongly for both students and teachers, seeking to raise awareness and interest in mathematics education at all levels.  This is essential as we seek to recruit, prepare, and retain the next generation of teachers in our state.

Kerri Jamerson is an instructor at Mars Hill University. Growing up and living most of my life in Western North Carolina, I gained a love for the mountains choosing to continue my education here and call this my forever home with my husband and three sons. After completing my educational degrees, receiving a B.S. in Mathematics with Teacher Certification from Mars Hill College in 1998 and a M.S. in Mathematics from Western Carolina University in 1999, I began my teaching career at a local high school.  In 2013, I returned to my alma mater Mars Hill University as an instructor.  In addition to teaching, I am coordinator of the MHU Math Center, member of NCCTM, and  member of the North Carolina Blue Ridge Teacher Circle.

Rigor, relationships, and relevance enhanced with passion, perseverance, and possibilities both in and out of the classroom are the heart of my philosophy.  NCCTM provides me the opportunity for continual growth in these areas.  The role of Vice President for Colleges and Universities for the Western Region will permit me to give back to a great organization that has given to me and so many others over the years.  Thank you for the nomination and considering allowing me to serve in this role for you.