Zachary Searels

Candidate for Director – At-Large

Position

Mathematics Teacher, Pelham High School, Pelham, AL (2023-Present).

Education

B.S. (Mathematics Education), Jacksonville State University; M.A. (Mathematics Education), Ed.S. (Curriculum and Instruction), University of Alabama

Previous Experience

Mathematics Teacher, Pell City High School (2022-2023); STEM District Coach, Arab City Schools (2021-2022); Instructional Coach, Florence Freshman Center (2019-2021); Mathematics and Computer Science Teacher, Florence High School (2014-2019); Adjunct Instructor, University of North Alabama (2017-2021); Mathematics Teacher, Pike County High School (2013-2014); Mathematics Teacher, Cherokee County Schools (2012-2013).

Professional Memberships

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM); Alabama Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ACTM); Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA); Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS); National Education Association (NEA); Alabama Education Association (AEA)

Leadership Experiences in Mathematics Education

District Representative (2014-2017), Treasurer (2017-2019), President-Elect (2019-2022), President (2022-Present), ACTM; STEM Council Advisor (2021-Present); A+ College Ready Trainer (2017-Present); College Board Grader (2017-Present)

Honors

Certificate of Distinction (2015), University of Alabama; Outstanding Graduate (2017), University of Alabama; Mathematics Coursework Scholarship, NCTM (2017); National Math and Science Teaching Initiative (NMSI) Grant Participant with Cooperative Learning Distinction (2018); Code.org Diversity Award (2019); Code.org National Grant Winner (2022)

Statement

The teaching profession faces unprecedented times ranging from teacher shortages, student disillusionment, and teacher burnout. The mission of NCTM has to be teacher empowerment. Empowering teachers has the benefit of two distinct outcomes: retaining teachers to impact students’ learning and demonstrating the power of mathematics relating to their world and future career opportunities.

Opening the doors for the MyNCTM platform has been a significant first step in ensuring that teachers feel heard and that their opinion holds value. NCTM can do more to ensure that the specific regions of the United States get a tailored focus for teacher empowerment and building a sense of community. Making a call to showcase teaching strategies for NCTM and its Affiliates will yield positive results from all members and get the ball moving in the right direction to address the unique learning needs of students.

In conclusion, my leadership in and outside the classroom has grown immensely due to my work with ACTM, instructional coaching experience, and my opportunities at the state level involving STEM and mathematics education. I am ready to bring these skills to work for NCTM and all its teacher members so that together, we can have a meaningful impact on all students’ futures.