AAML Board Members
Judy Dunmire - AAML President & MELA Lead
Judy Dunmire is starting her 2nd year as District Mathematics Specialist with Camden Fairview Schools and is ACTM President-Elect. She has served in education for 18 years. She taught grades 8-12 for 9 years at Charleston Schools, followed by 9 years as mathematics specialist at Coops and STEM Centers and as the Lead High School Mathematics Specialist for ADE. She is a 6-12 IM-Certified Trainer and served on the AR Math QuEST development team and the Arkansas Academic Playbook Guiding Coalition.
Judy is National Board Certified, earned a BS degree (Secondary Mathematics Education) from Arkansas Tech University, M.Ed. in Secondary Mathematics Education from the University of Arkansas, and is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Harding University.
When Judy is not working, she enjoys traveling and exploring foods from various cultures with her daughter, an OB/GYN resident at Kansas City Medical Center, as well as Zooming with friends across the state. She has a passion for learning and mathematics education and often spends her “spare time” on committees or reading mathematics education books and articles.
Erin McCain - Vice President
In the last 20 plus years, Erin McCain’s career in mathematics education has been filled with challenge and great opportunity. Being born and raised in the state of Oklahoma, Erin received her Bachelor’s of Science in Secondary Mathematics Education in 1999 from the University of Oklahoma. Her first teaching job was teaching Algebra One and Geometry at Irving High School in Irving, TX. Overall, Erin was a classroom teacher for 13 years in Oklahoma and Texas teaching every course from Pre-Algebra to AP Calculus AB. In Summer 2012, she and her family moved to NW Arkansas where Erin became the high school math coach at Rogers Heritage High School. In that role, she learned a great deal regarding working with adults in individual, collaborative team, and professional development settings. Erin has held additional mathematics leadership positions such as the K-12 mathematics specialist at the University of Arkansas STEM Center in Fayetteville and, most recently, at the NWA Education Service Cooperative. In July 2022, Erin began serving as the K-5 Math/Science Curriculum Specialist for the Rogers Public Schools. As a math leader, Erin’s passion in mathematics surrounds all things vertical alignment. While the work of horizontal, collaborative teams is crucial to understanding standards and curriculum, the work of vertical alignment is equally as crucial. Through vertical alignment, grade level and course collaborative teams can learn more about where the math is going in the future and how past mathematics impacts what they are doing in the classroom. Erin encourages all math teachers at all levels to learn more about the vertical alignment of mathematics and be ambitious in that pursuit. On a personal note, Erin has been married to her husband, James, since June 1995. Together, they have four children, Isaac, Jaylee, Ruthie, and Roxy. Erin spends her free time in the basketball gym working with and celebrating her kids’ successes in the gym. The family enjoys spending time together traveling, playing board games, and having fun together.
Tara Sanders - President Elect
Growing up, from the time I was about 8 years old, I struggled with math. I struggled both in understanding math and maintaining a positive attitude about learning mathematics. I was very fortunate to be surrounded by amazing math teachers as a student and amazing math leaders as a classroom teacher. Because of these experiences, my main goal as an educator has always been to make a positive impact on the students and teachers around me and to change the mindset so many of us either had or currently have about mathematics.
I am currently in my 18th year of teaching, spending 11 years teaching 2nd, 4th, and 5th grade in the Danville and Dardanelle School Districts, 3 years as a k-12 Instructional Facilitator, and the last 4 as a state math specialist with the Guy Fenter Educational Service Cooperative and the Arch Ford Educational Service Cooperative. I am also a state and national Cognitively Guided Instruction facilitator which has allowed me to work with teachers not only across the state, but the country as well. This has given me perspective on the diverse needs of teachers and students and also to showcase the amazing progress we are making in math education here in Arkansas.
When I am not working with students and math teachers, I love traveling, reading post-apocalyptic fiction, going to concerts and plays, learning about the enneagram, and cuddling with my dogs.
Michelle Edwards - Membership/ Treasurer
Michelle Edwards is now in year 30 of her educational journey. She started her journey as a teacher at Parkview High School and Hall High School in the Little Rock School District followed by ten years as a math facilitator at Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School. She is currently a district Math Instructional Facilitator for secondary schools in Little Rock School District. Throughout her years in education, Michelle has also worked as an adjunct professor in the Education Department at Philander Smith College and as a content facilitator for the APPEL (ArPEP) program.
Michelle received a Bachelor of Business Administration with emphasis in Accounting from the University of Houston and a Masters in Secondary Mathematics Education from University of Arkansas Little Rock (UALR). In 2006 she received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching, and she became National Board Certified in Early Adolescence/Mathematics in 2007.
Michelle entered the field of education to make a difference in children’s lives by helping them develop an understanding and appreciation of mathematics. She believes that every student can learn mathematics, and the task of teachers is to figure out the best possible ways to provide students the mathematical opportunities to learn.
Michelle is a member of the following professional organizations: National Education Association, Arkansas Education Association, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Arkansas Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Arkansas Association of Math Leaders and the Benjamin Banneker Association.
Jessica Hughes - Secretary
Being a math educator is personally rewarding to me. I struggled with math from an early age and understand the need and importance of high quality instructional practice. I focus on being a teacher that knows her practice and her students. My strength is knowing the power of an “I can” mindset and nurturing that in my classroom. I am always looking to improve myself and feel that AAML will help me grow in a leadership capacity. I am looking forward to serving with you all.
Lisa Short - Nominations / Elections Coordinator
With 17 years in education, I've taught various grades before becoming a Career Coach at UACCM, aiding students from 8th to 12th grade. I'm enthused by the integration of Career Technical Education (CTE) into classrooms, preparing students for both college and careers. ACT WorkKeys and CTE certifications are pivotal. Serving on the AAML Board of Directors is an honor, given my diverse experience and ongoing learning, enriching my ability to contribute meaningfully to education's evolution.
Jimmy Fetterly - Higher Education Delegate
In the Mathematics Department at the University of Central Arkansas, Dr. Fetterly teaches undergraduate and graduate students from various areas: elementary, middle school, secondary mathematics education majors; advises secondary mathematics education majors and graduate students; coordinates the Master of Arts program in Mathematics Education; performs service activities in the community and at the university.
Jeffrey Nesmith - ADE / DESE Delegate
As a DESE Math Specialist for the state of Arkansas, my professional interest lies in perpetuating lifelong learning while advocating for high expectations, expansive learning opportunities, and the presence of proficient educators to serve all students effectively.
Marion Harris - Professional Learning Coordinator for Special Projects
Beginning my teaching journey in 2006 at Lincoln High School, I later transitioned to Bentonville High School as a math teacher, then Math Coach for both high schools, then Fayetteville where I taught at their alternative school, ALLPS School of Innovation, and at Fayetteville High School. Currently, I'm a Math Coach-Specialist at Fayetteville Public Schools, overseeing AR Math QuEST training and supporting teachers in implementing Illustrative Mathematics.
Mandy Green - Communications Liason
Mandy Green is the principal at Cabot Middle School South. This is her 16th year in education. Her first ten years were in Cabot as a junior math teacher where she taught 7th, 7th PreAP, 8th and Algebra 1. Then Mandy spent one year at Beebe as their Math Coach for 5th-10th grade and one year as the middle school Math instructional facilitator for Conway schools. Now she's back to where her career started and is enjoying her third year in an admin role.
Mandy received her bachelors degree from UCA in secondary math education. She then got her masters in educational technology from UALR and has her Education Specialist in Principalship from ASU.
When Mandy isn’t working she enjoys spending time with friends and family. She has 2 great kiddos and enjoys traveling. Her favorite places she has visited include Italy, Czech Republic, and Kenya. She also enjoys simple game nights and cooking at home with her pups at her feet.