CRR Team

Meet the CRR Team:

Awards

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) represents the "Nation's highest honor for mentors who work with underrepresented groups to develop fully the Nation's human resources in STEM."
- Rodrigo Gutiérrez - 2022 PAESMEM National Awardee
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is "the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th grade mathematics, technology, engineering, or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States."
- Ariel Beggs - 2021 PAEMST National Awardee: 7-12, Mathematics
- Agi Post - 2020 PAEMST National Awardee: K-6, Mathematics

Meet the Directors

Rodrigo Gutiérrez

Dr. Rodrigo Jorge Gutiérrez taught middle and high school mathematics before becoming a teacher educator. His professional interests lie at the intersection of teacher development, mathematics education, and teaching for social justice, paying particular attention to Latinx and emergent bilinguals. Previously, Rodrigo was a fellow with the Center for the Mathematics Education of Latinas/os (CEMELA) at the University of Arizona, where he examined the implementation of Critical Mathematics in an urban high school’s precalculus course. He came to the CRR after six years as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Center for Mathematics Education at the University of Maryland, where his focus was on professional development to improve mathematics instruction for English learners (ELLs). In 2022, Rodrigo was a national awardee for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring.

rodrigog@arizona.edu

Melissa Hosten

Melissa Hosten taught elementary, middle, and high school mathematics both in Tucson and Chandler. She has worked in education for more than 25 years, serving as Mathematics Department Chair, District Mathematics Specialist, and Grant Director. Melissa's research interests lie in equitable access to data science experiences for all children, including very young children. Melissa specializes in the areas of equity and access, especially post-pandemic access. She supported the revision of the state standards in 2008 as a Mathematics Specialist for the Arizona Department of Education, and as a committee member for the revision of the standards in 2016. Melissa has supported teacher professional learning through her work at the Maricopa County Education Service Agency. She is a current or former governing board member of Arizona Math Leaders, Arizona Association of Teachers of Mathematics, Women and Mathematics Education, and Joint Committee for Women in Mathematical Sciences.

mhosten@arizona.edu

Meet the CRR Staff:

Michael Perkins

Michael Perkins is a Programs Coordinator for the Center for Recruitment and Retention of Mathematics Teachers. He is a University of Arizona graduate and then earned a Masters Degree in Teaching and Teacher Education. He was a classroom teacher at the elementary school, the junior high, and the high school and was also a Mathematics Specialist for a School District. Michael is also a head coach for a local High School Women's Basketball program. When not at work, Michael and his wife are playing games and completing puzzles with their two boys.

mkperkin@arizona.edu

Ariel Beggs

Ariel Beggs is a program coordinator and mathematics educator with two decades of classroom teaching experience. A 2021 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) Awardee, Ariel is currently leading the Making Manipulatives Make Sense (MMMS) series, which focuses on using manipulatives to concretize abstract mathematical concepts for learners. Ariel is also passionate about collaborating with teachers to create learning environments where students can explore their identity, belonging, and agency as confident mathematical thinkers and problem solvers.

abeggs@arizona.edu

Shanna Ellen Gray

Shanna Gray works as an outreach coach and professional development facilitator. Before joining the team at the CRR, Shanna was a math teacher for 15 years in Tucson-area public schools. She enjoys connecting teachers with new, research-based teaching strategies and helping them to embrace these changes in their classrooms. In addition, she is devoted to helping teachers confront math anxiety by helping their students to build a positive math/learner identity, educating teachers about trauma-informed practices with their students, and building teacher capacity in SEL instruction.

shannagray@arizona.edu

Agi Post

Agi Post is the Elementary Program Coordinator for the Center for Recruitment and Retention of Mathematics Teachers. She is a 2020 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) Awardee in Elementary Mathematics with 20 years of teaching experience. She has a long-standing passion for learning and teaching math. Her involvement with the Center for Recruitment and Retention of Mathematics Teachers (CRR) has been transformative, helping her teach students in a way that fosters lasting enjoyment and understanding of math. As one of the first IMPACTS teacher leaders, Agi has enjoyed leading workshops and mentoring new teacher leaders. She values the chance to collaborate with other teachers and is always ready to provide ideas and resources for both student learning and professional development.

agipost@arizona.edu

Meet the Grants and Contracts Specialist :

Melissa Gomez

Melissa Gomez is a dedicated bicultural, bilingual Latina professional with over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector. A University of Arizona graduate, she furthered her studies in Public Administration at the University of Southern California. Melissa is passionate about grant writing and securing funding for authentic programs that meaningfully impact her community. Her career reflects a deep commitment to creating genuine, purpose-driven initiatives that foster community development and empowerment. Currently, Melissa serves as the Grants and Contracts Specialist for the CRR, In this role, she will contribute to grant writing and development for the CRR’s programs and events.

gomezm@arizona.edu