Dr. Shelley Kriegler (President)

Dr. Shelley Kriegler was Director of the UCLA Math Content Programs for Teachers from 1999-2010, where she lead efforts to create and implement programs to increase the mathematics content knowledge for more than 10,000 teachers in California.  She taught mathematics in the Beverly Hills Unified School District for 19 years prior to coming to UCLA. She also served as a consultant to Creative Publications, an educational publishing company for five years. Shelley is President of the Stern Family Foundation, an organization that fulfills Christmas gift wishes for children of poverty, supports various Jewish organizations, and contributes to education, health, and arts programs in the community.

Shelley brings a broad view of the CMAT goals, day-to-day management skills, and writing expertise to the Board.  She is currently President of CMAT.

Shelley earned all her degrees at UCLA:  BA (Magna Cum Laude) in Mathematics (1971), M.Ed. in Curriculum (1993), and Ed.D. in Teaching Studies (1995).

Email: shelley@mathandteaching.org

Mark Goldstein (Vice-President)

Mr. Goldstein was a middle school mathematics teacher in Santa Monica, California for 12 years, and worked at UCLA for 9 years. During that time he was a LUCIMATH Project coordinator in the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, taught preservice and inservice courses for the UCLA Math Content, wrote curricular materials for the UCLA Math Content Programs for Teachers, and supported teachers in the classroom through coaching.

Mark is a primary author of Introduction to Algebra, a California-adopted algebra readiness textbook; and MathLinks, a modular program for students struggling to meet math literacy requirements. Mark is currently one of CMAT’s primary authors and trainers.

Mark received a BS in Mathematics/Applied Economics and a Secondary Mathematics teaching credential from UCLA, and a MA in Teaching Mathematics from the Math Department at California State University Dominguez Hills.

Email: mark@mathandteaching.org

Theresa Lee (Vice-President)

Before working for the Center for Mathematics and Teaching, Mrs. Lee worked for 11 years in the UCLA Mathematics Department as a Program Specialist. Her work included organizing the Math Content Program for Teachers, working on Mathematics Professional Development Institutes (including LUCIMATH), and providing administrative support for California Math Partnership grants.

Theresa taught elementary school for several years in the Santa Monica/Malibu Unified School district, and served as a teacher liaison with the Santa Monica City Child Care, Recreation, Enrichment, Sports, Together (CREST) program where she worked with small groups of elementary students struggling in mathematics.

Theresa assisted in the development of Introduction to Algebra program, and co-authored “Who Should Take Algebra in 8th Grade? Using Standardized Data to Guide Placement Policies” (2008). She has spoken at numerous conferences statewide.

Theresa earned her BS in Psychological Biology from UCLA, and a Masters in Elementary Education and elementary teaching credential from Mount Saint Mary’s College.

Email: theresa@mathandteaching.org

Cynthia Raff (Vice-President)

Mrs. Raff taught middle school mathematics for 13 years prior to becoming a teacher leader, followed by associate director with the UCLA California Mathematics Project in the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies. During that time, she was charged with the implementation of the LUCIMATH project, training nearly 10,000 teachers from 2001-2005, scheduling and facilitating professional development throughout Los Angeles County, and coordinating Young Mathematicians Institutes. From 2005-2010, Cynthia moved to the Mathematics Department where she oversaw professional development with the UCLA Math Content Programs for Teachers.

Cynthia is a contributing author of Introduction to Algebra. She currently focuses energy on oversight of all marketing, contracts, sales and professional development of Introduction to Algebra and MathLinks programs.

Cynthia received her BS from the University of California, Irvine and her Multiple Subject Credential and Mathematics Supplemental Authorization from California State University, Los Angeles.

Email: cynthia@mathandteaching.org

Cary Matthews (Director)

Before working for the Center for Mathematics and Teaching, Cary worked for six years in the UCLA Mathematics Department. As Publications Manager for the Math Content Program for Teachers, Cary was responsible for oversight, support, and organization of the writing of the program’s math professional development courses for K-8 teachers as well as the California-adopted Introduction to Algebra program.

Following completion of her MBA, Cary worked for the EnCorps Teachers Program, developing and refining operating, HR, data analysis, and financial systems. Through a fellowship with Education Pioneers, Cary worked with College Track to utilize Salesforce.com to develop a reporting system to help determine the success and impact of the organization.

Cary graduated with a B.A. from Colorado College in Creative Writing, an MBA at the University of San Francisco, and a Masters in Nonprofit Administration, also at USF.

Email: cary@mathandteaching.org

Ted Gamelin (Mathematician)

Ted Gamelin, professor emeritus in the UCLA Department of Mathematics, enjoyed a distinguished career as a research mathematician for over 40 years! He became involved in mathematics education in 1999, and served as faculty advisor to the California Mathematics Project and the UCLA Math Content Programs for Teachers (MCPT). CMAT’s mission to create first-class, high-quality mathematics materials for students is rooted in Ted’s inspiration and tenacity as advisor to MCPT.

He is a founding Director and served as Board member for four years and Chair for two years. Ted provides mathematics content expertise and editing support for CMAT materials. Ted earned his BS from Yale University in 1960 and Ph.D. in Mathematics, UC Berkeley in 1963.

Madeleine Jetter (Mathematician)

Madeleine Jetter graduated with a bachelor of arts in mathematics from Columbia University. She earned a PhD in Mathematics from UCLA in 2007 while participating in the NSF K-12 fellowship where she developed a love for K-12 education. She is now an Associate Professor of Mathematics at CSU San Bernardino, where she is actively involved in the mathematical preparation of preservice elementary and secondary teachers. She was the PI of Project DELTA (2010-2013), a CA Math Science Partnership and is Project Director of the US Department of Education i3 project TEEM (2015-2019). Madeleine enjoys helping students and teachers to know, do and teach mathematics at all levels.

Silvia Llamas-Flores

Silvia Llamas-Flores began her education career as a high school mathematics teacher. Currently, Silvia is a faculty associate at Arizona State University and Chandler-Gilbert Community College where she teaches a variety of mathematics and bilingual education courses. Silvia was involved with the UCLA Mathematics Project where she co-directed the Mathematics/ELD Institutes. During that time, she co-developed and implemented curriculum and professional development programs aimed at increasing teacher knowledge and competence in the teaching of mathematics to English language learners. For the last 15 years, Silvia has been actively involved in working with pre-service and in-service teachers to provide equitable access to mathematics to underrepresented students. She earned a BS in Mathematics and MA in Education at UCLA, and PhD in Mathematics Education at Arizona State University.

Jennifer Moffett

Jennifer Moffett began her career in education as a middle grades mathematics teacher in
Yucaipa.  With a passion for mathematics and teaching, she is committed to helping teachers use strategies to make student learning achievable.  Following her years in the classroom, Jen went on to serve as a district math coach and further on to serve at the County level as a Curriculum Specialist.  She has provided professional development to teachers and parents on a variety of mathematical related ideas and concepts.  Following a move to Texas with her husband who works with the military, Jen now works as a consultant with many districts in California, helping teachers make mathematical concepts more visual, giving more students access to the curriculum. Jen also works as a consultant for the Center of Mathematics And Teaching (CMAT), developing resources for teachers and parents for their middle grade level CCSSM programs MathLinks. Her true specialty is working with teachers to design and scaffold instruction that reinforces/develops prior learning to support students with grade level mathematics content.

Stacey Olson

Stacey Olson is a middle school mathematics teacher in Aliso Viejo, CA. She has been working for Capistrano Unified School District for 12 years. During the transition to Common Core Standards, Stacey helped guide teachers’ understanding of the Mathematical Practices by writing curriculum and providing resources to help support colleagues in her district.

As a teacher, department chair and presenter of professional development, Stacey is able to use her experiences to write curriculum for CMAT.

Stacey earned a BA from San Diego State University, received a Mathematics Teaching Credential and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from California State University, Fullerton, and received a MA in Education from California State University, San Marcos.

Board of Directors

Mr. Barry Perlstein – Chair (2011 – Present)

Mr. Barry Perlstein is an investor and entrepreneur with investments in education, entertainment and technology companies.  Barry is the former CEO of SDI Media, the leading translation company to the entertainment industry. During Barry’s tenure at SDI the company expanded into 30 countries and employed over 600 full-time staff and 3,000 freelancers. Barry brought in Warburg, Pincus, the private equity firm, to invest in the growth of SDI. Prior to SDI, Barry was a management consultant for McKinsey & Co where he advised financial services and media companies.

Barry graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College and magna cum laude from Harvard Law School where he served on the Law Review. Barry has long been interested in education and has taught math and SAT preparation courses to high school students.

Dr. Shelley Kriegler (2007 to Present)

Dr. Shelley Kriegler was Director of the UCLA Math Content Programs for Teachers from 1999-2010, where she lead efforts to create and implement programs to increase the mathematics content knowledge for more than 10,000 teachers in California.  She taught mathematics in the Beverly Hills Unified School District for 19 years prior to coming to UCLA. She also served as a consultant to Creative Publications, an educational publishing company for five years. Shelley is President of the Stern Family Foundation, an organization that fulfills Christmas gift wishes for children of poverty, supports various Jewish organizations, and contributes to education, health, and arts programs in the community. Shelley brings a broad view of the CMAT goals, day-to-day management skills, and writing expertise to the Board.  She is currently President of CMAT.

Shelley earned all her degrees at UCLA:  BA (Magna Cum Laude) in Mathematics (1971), M.Ed. in Curriculum (1993), and Ed.D. in Teaching Studies (1995).

Dr. Susie Hakansson (2013 – Present)

Dr. Susie W. Håkansson is Immediate Past-President of TODOS: Mathematics for All, a national affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, whose mission is to advocate for equity and excellence in mathematics for all students, particularly Latina/o students. She taught high school mathematics, served as a faculty advisor for secondary pre-service students, was a program evaluator for state and national grants, was a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics at UCLA, and has 30 years of experience providing professional development to PreK-16 teachers of mathematics. She was Executive Director of the California Mathematics Project and a CMP Regional Site Director prior to that, collaborating with others to design and implement institutes, workshop series, and school site programs for teachers, administrators, parents, and students, particularly programs that focus on providing access to high quality and rigorous mathematics for underserved students. She is a recipient of the TODOS 2013 Iris M. Carl Leadership and Equity Award, the California Mathematics Council 2009 Walter Denham Memorial Award, and the UCLA 2009 Robert Sorgenfrey Distinguished Teaching Award. In 2012, the California Mathematics Council Southern Section established the Susie Håkansson Award for fostering emerging leadership of math educators of color.

Dr. Ronni Ephraim (2017 – Present)

Dr. Ronni Ephraim recently retired from her work at USC at 2U (also known as 2tor) where she held positions of Executive Vice President of Curriculum and Faculty Relations, General Manager, and Chief Academic Officer.  Before that Ronni was a Superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District 3 serving 63,000 students in grades Pre K-12. She served as Deputy Superintendent of Pre-K-12 Instruction and Professional Learning, Development, and Leadership of the Los Angeles Unified School District, where, she was responsible for the implementation of the district’s instructional initiatives and professional development. In 1999, Ronni began the instructional reforms in K-5 Literacy and Mathematics. She also served as an Elementary School Principal for 9 years and a Classroom Teacher for 11 years. Ms. Ephraim served on the State of California Reading First Task.

Dr. Virgil Jones (2023 – Present)

Dr. Virgil Jones is an entrepreneur. He has Fortune 500 training and success in sales and marketing. Dr. Jones (a college professor in three schools and bilingual in Spanish) has enjoyed the fruits of successful business ventures for nearly four decades. One such venture was a pioneering effort called the College Run Program in 2003. The College Run mentored and trained middle and high school students to become peer leaders and community volunteers as they visited colleges and universities throughout the United States in search of new and exciting career choices. Over the ten-year span, the College Run Program had a 90 percent success rate in getting more than two thousand low-income students prepared for and accepted into a four-year college of their choice. The College Run Alumni include lawyers, doctors, educators, professors, and public health professionals, to name a few. Finally, Dr. Jones recently reinstated his membership and participation in the Center for Nonprofit Management of Los Angeles in an effort to strengthen CMAT’s fundraising efforts.