NCTM President, 2014-2016

Diane Briars is a mathematics education consultant, working primarily to support schools and districts in their interpretation and implementation of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. She has also been a senior developer and research associate on the Intensified Algebra Project, a joint venture of the Learning Science Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Dana Center at the University of Texas at Austin. This project, which is funded by the National Science Foundation, focuses on developing instructional materials for underprepared ninth-grade Algebra 1 students. Previously, Briars was mathematics director for Pittsburgh Public Schools. Under her leadership, Pittsburgh schools made significant progress in increasing student achievement through standards-based curricula, instruction, and assessment.

Diane Briars is a past president of the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NCSM) and has served in leadership roles in various other national organizations, including the College Board and the National Science Foundation. She has served on numerous national committees and advisory boards, including the National Commission on Mathematics and Science Teaching for the 21st Century, headed by Senator John Glenn. Briars holds a Ph.D. in mathematics education and M.S. and B.S. degrees in mathematics from Northwestern University, and she pursued postdoctoral study in the Psychology Department at Carnegie-Mellon University. She began her career as a secondary mathematics teacher.