Board of Directors Election Candidates

Learn about the positions prior to casting your vote (voting restricted to members of AMTE only). Click here to read position descriptions. The AMTE Election Ballot is open through Friday, November 21.

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President-Elect Candidates

Dr. Joel Amidon, Professor of Teacher Education at the University of Mississippi, is a dedicated leader in mathematics teacher education with extensive experience in organizational service. A past president of MAMTE and former Vice President of Communications and Outreach for AMTE, he has developed skills in collaboration, delegation, and organizational leadership. He currently serves on the Knowles Teacher Initiative Board of Trustees, his local United Way board, and his church board. Host of multiple education-focused 4 podcasts, Dr. Amidon’s scholarship centers on teaching mathematics to foster equitable, inclusive classrooms where all learners can thrive. He believes that AMTE should focus on the following 1) How to support diversity, equity and inclusion in mathematics education/mathematics teacher education to fill in the gaps where universities, schools, and government agencies are not allowed/permitted; How to make it easier for affiliates to operate, so that they can better support state-level initiatives and national initiatives; and 3) How to reduce the administrative burden ( i.e., the pipeline to participating in AMTE).

Dr. Marrielle Myers, Associate Professor of Mathematics Education at Kennesaw State University, prepares prospective and practicing teachers through mathematics methods, equity, and diversity courses. Her scholarship centers on developing teachers’ political knowledge, supporting Black teachers’ pursuit of justice, and navigating educational censorship. A longtime AMTE contributor, she has served as Board Member-at-Large, STaR Fellow, plenary speaker, and committee member, and co-founder of AMTE’s BIPOC Mentoring Program. Her leadership extends nationally through NCTM, Teachers Development Group, and editorial and program roles. Dr. Myers is committed to equitydriven, collaborative leadership that strengthens AMTE as an inclusive, responsive, and thriving professional community. She is committed to 1) supporting AMTE members across career stages, institution types, and educational settings; 2) eliminating barriers that limit diverse colleagues’ full engagement in AMTE programs and leadership; and 3) prioritizing advocacy in three key areas: strengthening programs within our institutions, securing robust funding for research, and promoting public scholarship to share our work beyond academia.

Board Member At Large Candidates

Dr. Liza Bondurant, Associate Professor of Mathematics Education at Mississippi State University, is a dedicated leader in advancing equity-centered, practice-based teacher preparation. A longtime AMTE member, she has served on the STAR Fundraising and Advocacy Committees, and as a board member at large and as past president of her state affiliate. Currently, she co-leads AMTE’s simulations community circle and represents AMTE on MAA’s COMET and Committee on Student Concerns. Her leadership spans state, national, and institutional levels, including chairing Mississippi’s EPP High-Quality Instructional Materials Committee and co-leading MTEP initiatives for the Mississippi State University Partnership. Dr. Bondurant’s research and teaching emphasize culturally sustaining, multimodal, and collaborative approaches. She feels that her service to professional organizations, collaborations with colleagues across multiple institutions, and work with preservice and in-service teachers have prepared her to help AMTE support, represent, and inspire its diverse membership.

Dr. Dionne Cross Francis, Joseph R. Neikirk Term Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, brings over 20 years of experience as a mathematics teacher educator across Jamaica, the U.S., South Sudan, Ghana, and beyond. A dedicated AMTE member for more than 15 years, she has contributed through proposal reviews and conference presentations, while also holding leadership roles in APA Division 15 and AERA Division C. Her research bridges mathematics education, teacher education, psychology, and learning sciences. Dr. Francis is deeply committed to equity, justice, and transformative leadership that strengthens and sustains mathematics teacher education. She believes that AMTE should prioritize the following goals: 1) Foreground the importance of holistic approaches to mathematics teacher development; 2) Advance knowledge of the incorporation of AI into mathematics teacher development; and 3) Develop guidelines for how to effectively conduct research and teach classes that center on issues that relate to “diversity, equity, and inclusion” while minimizing risk to its members.

Dr. Emily Medlock, Professor of Education at Lipscomb University, serves as Director of Clinical Experiences and Director of Undergraduate Education. With 26 years of experience as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and clinical supervisor, she is committed to advancing mathematics teacher education and supporting both pre-service and in-service teachers. Her leadership includes service on the Tennessee Math Standards Review Committee, the Metro Council of Teacher Educators, and the Mentor Teacher Institute Steering Committee. At Lipscomb, she contributes through the College of Education Leadership Team, strategic planning initiatives, and advisory committees, while fostering strong partnerships with schools and communities. She believes the three goals that AMTE should prioritize are: 1) Support and provide guidance on the high-quality preparation, recruitment, retention, and diversification of mathematics teachers across the variety of educational spaces; 2) Engage in community building and other efforts to support the recruitment and retention, diversification, and professional learning of mathematics teacher educators and leaders who serve in a variety of educational contexts; and 3) Strengthen the research and research-based practices of mathematics teacher educators to serve the evolving needs of students, educators, schools, and communities.

Secretary Candidate

Dr. Dittika Gupta, Associate Professor at Midwestern State University, is committed to advancing the mission of AMTE through collaborative leadership and service. A 2015 AMTE STaR fellow, her participation has led to multiple publications and extensive conference presentations, many at AMTE. She served three years as Vice President of Conferences for AMTE-TX, coordinating virtual and in-person events, and currently serves as Associate Editor (incoming Editor) of JMTET. Beyond AMTE, she has held leadership roles with SSMA and CAMT, while also contributing to community organizations. Dr. Gupta believes intentional, inclusive leadership is vital to supporting mathematics teacher educators. She believes AMTE should prioritize three key goals in the coming years: 1) Extend its reach to classroom educators who can bring a valuable voice to preparing future teachers and provide mentorship; 2) Help early-career and other teacher educators navigate the balance between academic autonomy, rigor, and the evolving demands of education; 3) Bridge the gap between teacher leaders in education service centers and school districts and higher education faculty.