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Rhode island Mathematics teachers Association

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PURPOSE:
- to promote an active interest in mathematics and its applications
- to provide opportunities for the exchange of ideas and materials related to the instruction of mathematics
- to work for the improvement of mathematics instruction at all levels
- to further the cooperative study of problems related to the teaching of mathematics at the elementary, middle school, high school and college level

BOARD MEMBERS

Elizabeth Brownlee, President
Elizabeth Brownlee is a Woonsocket, Rhode Island native. She has a bachelors in French, a Masters in Teaching; certifications in 1-6 Elementary education, ESL education, building level admin Pk-12, and an endorsement in reading-dyslexia. She is currently an elementary math coach with the Providence Public School district, the largest urban school district in RI. Prior to coaching math, she was a math teacher for many years in New Orleans, Louisiana.  She has worked in partnerships with TeachLab, ATMNE, AIR, TNTP, AWM, and the RI Dept of Education, among others. Apart from teaching, she is interested in research on multicultural education, including diversity centered education models and asset based instructional strategies. Her future endeavors include pursuing a  Phd in Educational Psychology and developing her own educational consulting company. 

Steve Levesque, Treasurer, Membership Chair
      Steve Levesque has been an educator for over 30 years and currently teaches mathematics at Burrillville High School. He earned his MAT in Mathematics at Providence College and his BS in Secondary Education from URI. Steve enjoys learning to incorporate technology in the classroom and engaging students in meaningful ways.  He has been active in RIMTA for much of his teaching career, having served in several roles.  Most recently, he served on NCTM's Membership and Affiliate Relations Committee.  Steve has a lovely wife and two wonderful children and when he has time, he enjoys playing sports (especially basketball and softball), reading and hiking.

Cathy Boutin, NCTM/NCSM Representative
 Cathy Boutin is an eighth grade mathematics teacher and the grade eight grade level leader at John F. Deering Middle School in West Warwick, Rhode Island.  Cathy has taught mathematics for over 25 years was the 1999 RI Secondary Mathematics Presidential Awardee. She obtained certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in Early Adolescent Mathematics in 2009.  Cathy has served as a member of RIMTA since 1985, most recently as Past President. Cathy is the Eastern 1 Affiliates Relations Committee Representative for NCTM and has also served on the West Warwick Teachers Alliance Education Committee for the last six years. When Cathy is not wrapping her head around mathematics, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, shopping, and watching reruns of Seinfeld and Everybody Loves Raymond.

Lynn Rakatansky, At-Large Representative 
 Lynn Rakatansky retired from teaching middle school mathematics in East Providence, RI and has served as adjunct faculty at Lesley University in Massachusetts.  Lynn has served as President of both RIMTA and ATMNE and has been active in program planning for many local, regional and national conferences including serving as Program Chair for ATMNE 2011 and 2017.  Lynn received the 2000 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and was recognized as the 2010 DeRobbio Awardee. 

Daniel Irving, At-Large Representative
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Ben Hall, RIDE Representative

Ben Hall is a Math Specialist at the Rhode Island Department of Education. Prior to moving to RIDE, he taught Math for 23 years, the last 16 at the Paul Cuffee School in Providence. He primarily taught middle school along with a few years of high school, serving both as a seventh and eighth grade teacher and the Math Specialist for the Paul Cuffee Middle School. He is excited to join RIMTA and support Math teachers throughout Rhode Island. He enjoys walking, reading, playing tennis, doing puzzles, and spending time with his family.

Joshua Lach, RIDE Representative


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Nicole Hersey-Bertram, President Elect

 Nicole Hersey-Bertram is a Teaching Professor at the University of Rhode Island, with a dual appointment to the College of Education and Department of Mathematics. Previously, she taught at North Providence High School. She currently holds a doctorate in Education from the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College.  Her scholarship focuses on the learning of mathematics, mathematical thinking, and pedagogical content knowledge.

Gina Kilday, Secretary and Web Communications
  Gina Kilday has been an educator in the Exeter-West Greenwich School District in Rhode Island for over 20 years. She taught third grade for much of that time and currently serves as their Math Interventionist for Grades 2-6. She regularly presents professional development workshops in her district, state, region and nationally at NCTM conferences and meetings. She received the 2012 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and was a member of the 2015 Learnzillion Dream Team.  Gina is on the Board of Directors of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and has helped to plan multiple state, regional and national conferences.  She is a Past President of RIMTA and current secretary of ATMNE. 

Nina Di Iorio, At-Large Representative, Awards Chair
Nina Di Iorio has been an educator in the Cranston Public School district for 18 years and currently teaches mathematics at Cranston High School East. She earned a B.A. in Secondary Education/Mathematics from Rhode Island College and a M.A. in Teaching Mathematics from Providence College. Nina also studied in Florence, Italy where she earned a TEFL certificate from The Tuscany Learning Center. She enjoys traveling with her husband and three children.

 

Colleen Buffery, At-Large Representative

Colleen started her career teaching math at a private middle school then switched to elementary mathematics as a K-5 math interventionist in Lincoln, RI. In 2016 she was awarded RIMTAs Rookie of The Year. She is also a member of the RIDE math advisory board. Colleen is currently finishing her masters degree in education leadership with a concentration mathematics specialist. 

Maria Branco, At-Large Representative 
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Milissa O'Neil, At-Large Representative 
Milissa O'Neil, the 2025 Rhode Island Teacher of the

he Year, is a dedicated educator and first grade teacher at Oakland Beach Elementary School in Warwick, Rhode Island, where she has inspired young learners for more than a decade. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Wheelock College in Boston and has enhanced her expertise with a special education certification. O’Neil has taught students from preschool to first grade, consistently fostering engaging and inclusive learning environments. A strong advocate for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education, O’Neil integrates those subjects into her curriculum, promoting exploration, creativity and critical thinking. She emphasizes hands-on learning and collaborative projects, believing that a solid foundation in STEAM is vital for success in today’s rapidly evolving world. 
RIMTA is a partner affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).

RIMTA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. 

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