Meet the CRR Team:
Meet the Co-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).
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.
Meet the Program Coordinator:
Michael Perkins
Michael Perkins is the Program 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.