Matt Larson served as president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), a 70,000-member international mathematics education organization from 2016-2018. Previously, Larson was the K–12 curriculum specialist for mathematics in Lincoln (Nebraska) Public Schools for more than 20 years.

Larson began his career in education as a high school mathematics teacher and served as a member of the leadership team for the National Science Foundation Math and Science Partnership project Math in the Middle at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Larson’s long history of service within NCTM includes chairing the Research Committee, serving for three years on the Board of Directors, serving for two years on the Executive Committee, and chairing the Budget and Finance Committee. He has contributed extensively to NCTM journals and books. His two-year term as NCTM president began in April at the conclusion of the 2016 NCTM Annual Meeting & Exposition in San Francisco.

Larson is a frequent speaker before mathematics education audiences, and he has authored or co-authored several books, including a series on professional learning communities and Common Core Mathematics. He is co-author of Balancing the Equation: A Guide to School Mathematics for Educators and Parents, and he was on the writing team of Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All (NCTM, 2014).  Larson has taught mathematics at the elementary through college level and has held an appointment as an honorary visiting associate professor at Teachers College, Columbia University. In 1994 he was recognized for his teaching accomplishments with a U.S. West Outstanding Teacher Award.

Matt Larson received his bachelor of arts from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with a major in history and a minor in mathematics, and he earned a secondary mathematics certification. He also holds an M.Ed. and a Ph.D., both in curriculum and instruction, from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.