Maci Nelson
Candidate for Director, High School or Middle School Level

Position:  Robert Eagle Staff Middle School Mathematics Teacher, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) (2018–present)

Education: MEd (instructional leadership), expected graduation December 2021, University of Washington; BA (mathematics), Seattle Pacific University (SPU); National Board Certified Teacher

Previous Experience:  SPS Washington Middle School Mathematics Teacher (2013–2018)

Memberships: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM); Washington State Mathematics Council

NCTM Activities: Membership and Affiliate Relations Committee (2016-2018)

Other Activities:  SPS First Online Secondary Math Conference Member (2016–2018), Visionary and Leader (October 2020)

Publications:  Author: NCTM Centennial Series “Now: Reclaiming Mathematics for Solving Today’s Issues,” Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK–12 (June 2020)

Honors:  Future Leaders Initial NCTM Annual Meeting Attendance Award (2016); SPU Ones to Watch Notable Graduate of the Last Decade (2016); SPU Letter of Commendation (2013)

Statement:  NCTM advocates for equitable teaching practices, and yet gaps remain in educational justice for our students. An actionable step for continuing to lead in equity in math education would be to provide funding opportunities and support to preservice teachers of color. This would elevate and highlight the necessity of inviting more people of color to the field of mathematics and would positively affect future generations of students.

A challenge faced by NCTM is the ever-changing ways that teachers are finding community. I am passionate about collaboration that pushes us to engage in a vulnerable sharing of our practice to disrupt the status quo. Last fall, my vision of the first math conference for SPS math teachers by teachers came to life. The purpose of the conference was to share expertise within SPS, equipping math teachers to use anti-racist practices and move toward more collegial relationships. I believe this vision should stretch beyond individual districts. NCTM should continue to work at fostering a larger and stronger web of nationwide collegiality in new and innovative ways. Recently, we have learned more about the power of connection that can happen through digital spaces.

A strength that I would bring to the NCTM Board is the capacity to dream big and be able to follow through with a detailed, actionable plan to complete the project. I am a passionate leader, capable of bringing others alongside a vision and mobilizing them toward action. I also deeply believe in the expertise, compassion, and leadership that already resides in teachers and that we, as teachers, can do far more together than we can apart.