Dr. Lee Stiff Instructional Leader of Mathematics Teaching Award

This year’s award recipient is Sonia Dupree, the Senior Administrator for High School Mathematics in Wake County Public Schools. For more than 30 years, Sonia has served North Carolina’s students and educators. She is known for her forward-thinking leadership that transforms systems and uplifts our profession. Her leadership was especially evident in 2016, when she played a pivotal role in developing the revised North Carolina High School Mathematics Standards. Not only was she one of the standard writers, but the day after their adoption she organized and led the first statewide meeting of district mathematics leaders and university faculty. That group went on to become the North Carolina Collaborative for Mathematics Learning, a statewide partnership

that continues to drive improvement in math teaching and learning. That moment perfectly captures Sonia’s leadership and ability to turn vision into action. She has been instrumental in the development of instructional frameworks, professional learning materials, and policy conversations—all with a laser focus on improving what happens for students in classrooms.

Within Wake County Public Schools, Sonia has championed ambitious and equity-driven changes in high school mathematics. She led the adoption and implementation of the Mathematics Vision Project (MVP) curriculum, supported teachers through professional learning, and helped the public understand the value of high-quality materials. Additionally, she holds regular meetings with prospective teachers, sharing her knowledge and helping them engage confidently with high-quality materials from the start of their careers.

This award honors instructional leaders who work directly with teachers to improve student learning. That is exactly what Sonia Dupree has done——consistently and courageously—throughout her distinguished career. She has a deep commitment to students, teachers, and mathematics.