Meet Our Officers
Denise Trakas
President
Denise Trakas is currently the K-5 Mathematics Program Coordinator for Washoe County School District (Nevada), specializing in mathematics from birth through age 11. In this capacity, she is responsible for coordinating all aspects of mathematics instruction, professional learning, and curriculum development for Kindergarten through 5th grade. This includes work with developing sustainable and scalable professional learning for novice, developing, and experienced teachers and mathematics leaders.
In the past she has written, been awarded, and managed two Mathematics Science Partnership grants focused on enhancing quality mathematics instruction for all learners in the State of Nevada. She continues to engage in research and professional activities to enhance the mathematics program within Nevada and beyond.
In addition to her position with Washoe County School District, Ms. Trakas is appointed faculty to the University of Nevada, Reno where she has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses. She has co-authored one book, Instructional Leadership in Mathematics Education and is currently working on a second. Ms. Trakas just finished a 3 ½ year term as an elected board member of NCSM: Leadership in Mathematics Education. She is currently the president of the Nevada Mathematics Education Leadership Council (N-MELC). Ms. Trakas has experience as a teacher, coach and consultant and enjoys working with districts, schools and especially with students in classrooms.
Washoe County School District is located in Reno, Nevada and serves the surrounding areas of Sparks, Sun Valley, Spanish Springs, Incline, Wadsworth, and Gerlach. Geographically this region is about the same size as the state of Connecticut. Currently the district serves about 64,000 students with close to 30,000 of those in K-5.
Dr. Heather Crawford-Ferre
Treasurer
Work Experience:
K-6 Math Lead for the State of Nevada, Department of Education.
Dr. Crawford-Ferre was previously a classroom teacher, math coach and professional development specialist.
Leadership Experience:
Heather is the Assistant Director the Nevada Math & Technology Program at the University of Nevada, Reno and serves on numerous regional, national and international professional boards including the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics. Dr. Crawford-Ferre has expertise in gender issues in STEM disciplines and recently published two books entitled ‘Out-of-School-Time STEM Programs for Females: Implications for Research and Practice (Volumes 1 & 2). Heather has been honored with Northern Nevada’s Outstanding Mathematics Educator Award, the Moss Family Award in Graduate Elementary Math Education, and UNR’s Outstanding Graduate Student award.
Education:
B.S. Elementary Education (UNR)
B.S. Special Education (UNR)
M.Ed. Educational Specialties (UNR)
PhD Educational Specialties (UNR)
Personal Interest:
In her spare time Heather likes to go on toddler lead adventures…you just never know where a toddler might take you!
NCSM State Leads
Dr. Barbara Griffin
Southern Nevada NCSM Lead
Work Experience:
Dr. Griffin is the Director of the K-12 Mathematics Department in the Curriculum and Instruction Division of the Clark County School District. Prior to that, she worked in Broward County Public Schools in Florida for 13 years as a teacher and administrator.
Leadership Experience:
Director, K-12 Mathematics, Curriculum and Instruction Division, Clark County School District
Mathematics Curriculum Supervisor, Math, Science, & Gifted Department, Broward County Public Schools
STEM Supervisor, K-12, STEM and Instructional Resources Department, Broward County Public Schools
Advanced Studies Coordinator, K-12, Advanced Academic Programs Department, Broward County Public Schools
Education:
Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction, May 2013, Florida Atlantic University
Specialist in Education in Educational Leadership (K-12), August 2009, Florida Atlantic University
Master of Science in Teaching in Math Education Middle Grades Teachers, August 2007, Florida Atlantic University
Master of Science in Computer Science, May 2006, Florida Atlantic University
Master of Education in Educational Technology, December 2000, Florida Atlantic University
Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, August 1993, Adelphi University
Personal Interest:
Dr. Griffin enjoys spending time with family and traveling.
Mike Pacheco
Northern Nevada NCSM Lead
NMELC Regional Directors
Vacant
Southern Nevada
Dr. Glenn Waddell, Jr.
Northern Nevada
Work Experience:
Glenn H. Waddell, Ph.D. has been a Teaching Associate Professor and Master Teacher in the NevadaTeach program. Prior to joining NevadaTeach, he taught mathematics in the Washoe County School District for nine years. His research focuses on the use of social networking by educators in developing their professional development networks. In addition, he has a strong affinity for statistics, having taught college level statistics for several years.
Leadership Experience:
Glenn has been the President of the Northern Nevada Math Council (NNMC), the Nevada Chapter of the American Statistical Association (NV-ASA) and a board member of the Nevada Chapter of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (NVAMTE) and the Nevada Mathematics Educators Leadership Council (N-MELC). Glenn is passionate about developing the skills and abilities of preservice and inservice mathematics educators.
Education:
Ph.D. in Secondary STEM Education, University of Nevada, Reno
Personal Interest:
Dr. Michael Roth
Rural Nevada
Work Experience:
I have had the opportunity to serve students and communities in many states. From Inner-city San Antonio, TX to rural Statesville, NC. I now serve here in Caliente, NV and love every minute I get to inspire the next generation. I have taught 1st through 8th and coached teachers in Math, Science, and Gifted Education.
Leadership Experience:
I have had the privilege of working with several school as a leader both informally and formally. As an AP at a Charter STEM school and a Gifted Magnet Academy I was able to gain so much around creating systems to inspire better behavior. I have helped two school eliminate the achievement gap and produce strong growth- and currently I am helping turn around a middle school through the Leader-in-Me and Modern Teacher efforts of our district. We have a great opportunity as leaders and I can’t wait to see what we can do together for this state.
Education:
Committee Chairs
Meinhart Mosqueda
Webmaster
Work Experience:
- 7-12 Math EPP Nevada Department of Education
- Classroom Teacher (7-12) – Math / Physics / Computer Science
- Undergraduate Assistant Prof & Lab Instructor – Physics
- ERP & Data Architect
Leadership Experience:
- NV State lead for Math 7-12
Education:
- EdS (Educational Leadership)
- MEd (Educational Administration)
- MA Secondary Education
- BSc & MSc Physics
Personal Interest:
Biking, Culinary, Visual Arts
Christin O’Keefe
Awards
Vacant
Social Media / Marketing Chair
Vacant
Professional Development / Events Coordinator
Sponsor Liaison
Dr. Heather Crawford-Ferre
Chair
Denise Trakas
Co-chair
Past Officers
Denise Trakas
Nevada's NCSM representative
- Regional Director, Western US 1: (2015-2018)
K-5 MATHEMATICS PROGRAM COORDINATOR, TEACHER AND CONSULTANT
Address
380 Edison Way
Reno, NV 89502
Phone
(775) 750-4413
Twitter
@denisetrakas
Heather Crawford-Ferre, Ph.D.
Position
President, N-MELC
Address
755 N. Roop Street #201
Carson City, NV 89701
Email
hcrawfordferre@doe.nv.gov
Dave Brancamp
Position