Presenter Biographies
Adriana Cernucan
Adriana Cernucan is a doctoral candidate at George Mason University, specializing in Multicultural Multilingual Education. Originally from Romania, Adriana has extensive experience teaching multilingual learners in K-12 settings, which inspired her passion for second language acquisition and literacy development through cultural and linguistic perspectives. Currently serving as an ESOL Specialist, Adriana supports teachers working with multilingual learners and is deeply committed to the success of long-term English learners. She strives to bridge research and classroom practice, advancing multicultural education for all students. Adriana has shared her expertise at national conferences, including WIDA, NSTA, and NAELPA webinars, and has collaborated with the State Department of Education on the Teachers in Action project. Her research interests include long-term English learners, professional development for educators, and global competence, reflecting her dedication to improving educational practices and fostering equity for multilingual students.
Dr. Deb Crawford
Dr. Deb Crawford is the Coordinator of Secondary Mathematics in Frederick County Public Schools. She serves as a Data Science Lead of the Virginia team and an instructor in the Mathematics Specialist Leader concentration of the Graduate School of Education at George Mason University. She is a past president of VCMS and is currently a co-PI of the GMU/ Frederick Data Science & Computing Lab School. Deb has proudly served as a math teacher, department chair, and/or math coach in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
Dr. Michelle DeLoach
Dr. Michelle DeLoach is the President of VCTM, the Secondary Mathematics Curriculum Specialist for Chesterfield County Public Schools, and a Mathematics faculty member at Reynolds Community College. She received her Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Technology from the University of Phoenix, Bachelors of Science in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science and Masters of Science in Mathematics Education from Virginia State University, and Educational Leadership Certification from George Washington University, and eLearning certification from George Mason University. Prior to becoming a mathematics specialist, she taught middle school and high school mathematics in Richmond City Public Schools, Henrico County Public Schools, DC Public Schools, and the Department of Correctional Education. Other educational experiences include being a technology assistant, a middle school mathematics coach, an assistant principal, an AP College Board and Cambridge Coordinator. Her personal interests include traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Jen Fessenden
Jen Fessenden has more than 17 years of experience in education, having worked as an elementary teacher, a building level mathematics specialist, a division-wide professional learning facilitator and a curriculum writer. Jen currently serves as the PreK-12 Mathematics Coordinator for Falls Church City Public Schools, an International Baccalaureate Continuum Division. Jen is involved in the mathematics community at the local, state and national level. She currently serves on the board for the Virginia Council for Mathematics Supervision, is the lead Grade 1 and Grade 2 facilitator for Math Forward, has been a member of numerous committees for the Virginia Department of Education and has facilitated several VDOE institutes throughout the state. Jen is passionate about providing rigorous mathematics learning experiences for all students, engaging students in mathematics discourse and thinking tasks and providing just-in-time scaffolds and differentiation. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, traveling and spending time with her husband and daughter.
Dr. Leslie Jones
Dr. Leslie Jones is the PK-12 Science Coordinator for Manassas City Public Schools. She supports teachers, develops curriculum, and fosters a robust science learning environment for students. She is actively involved in science engagement and has experience teaching at the secondary and college levels.
Lilly LePelch
Dr. Lilly LePelch is an adjunct professor at George Mason University in the College of Education and Human Development. She teaches courses related to literacy research, teaching culturally and linguistically diverse learners, bilingual and language acquisition research, and consultation/collaboration in educational settings. She is a research partner with the Literacy Engagement Action Project and an affiliate of the Sturtevant Ph.D. Center for Literacy. Dr. LePelch earned her Ph.D. degree from GMU specializing in Literacy and International Education. She is passionate about the education of culturally and linguistically diverse learners focusing on research of intercultural practices that celebrate human diversity in education. Her experience includes training indigenous Ixil-speaking educators in rural Guatemala, conducting observations in schools in Oslo, Norway, and assisting immigrant families in her community. This correlates with her research interests and projects, which includes Research Methodologies, Critical Literacy, Bilingual/Multilingual Learners Education, and Intercultural Competence. Dr. LePelch is a vocal advocate for immigrant and minority populations thus her scholarship reflects this commitment. In addition to her professorship responsibilities, Dr. LePelch is the world languages department chair at a public high school in Northern Virginia.
Jennifer Lindenauer
Jennifer Lindenauer is currently the lead English learner teacher at the Montessori Public School of Arlington. She began the first five years of her career teaching abroad in China, Honduras, and finally with the Peace Corps in Gabon. She has been working in the Arlington County public school system for over 20 years in a variety of roles as an English learner teacher, Title I reading teacher, community school coordinator, family literacy coordinator, and assistant principal. She received her PhD in Education Literacy from George Mason University in 2020.
Darwin E. Mills
Darwin E. Mills, Ed.D. holds the rank of Assistant Professor and Program Director for the Leadership in Mathematics Education program in the School of Education at Regent University. He has 31 years of experience in the k-12 public education sector, as a teacher, coach, building level and central office administrator. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from North Carolina Central University, a Master of Arts degree in teaching secondary level mathematics from Christopher Newport University, and a Doctor of Education degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia.
Dr. Kate Roscioli
Dr. Kate Roscioli is a division elementary mathematics specialist in Northern Virginia, where she collaborates with K–5 teachers across a large district to design curriculum resources and facilitate professional learning. She is also an adjunct professor at George Mason University, teaching courses in the mathematics specialist program. Her research focuses on supporting teachers in integrating technology to promote equity-centered mathematics practices.
Dr. Natasha Saunders
Dr. Natasha Saunders currently serves as the Senior Manager for Secondary ELA in Fairfax County Public Schools. She is responsible for leading the school division's literacy efforts at all tiers and in collaboration with ESOL, Special Education, and Advanced Academics. Additionally, Dr. Saunders is an adjunct professor in the Education Leadership Program where she is currently teaching a course on research and school improvement.
Jennifer Suh
Jennifer Suh is a professor of mathematics education at George Mason University. Dr. Suh teaches mathematics methods courses in the Elementary Education Program and mathematics leadership courses for the Mathematics Specialist Masters and PhD Programs. As the principal investigator (PI) for numerous NSF-funded collaborative grants, including DRK12, STEM-C, ITEST, and RITEL, she has focused on immersing elementary teachers in mathematical modeling, culturally responsive mathematical modeling, and the equitable integration of technology in the mathematics classroom. Over the past 20 years, Dr. Suh has been deeply involved in Lesson Study, a teacher-led professional development model. This model elevates teachers as co-designers and co-researchers, centering equity in community-based mathematics modeling lessons. Her work has significantly impacted students in marginalized communities, empowering them to see mathematics as a powerful tool to address injustices and inspire action. Currently she leads a project called EQSTEMM focused on culturally responsive mathematical modeling in elementary grades and works with teachers on EQT-Tech lesson study to integrate technology with equity at the forefront.
Holly Tate
Holly Tate, PhD, is an instructional mathematics coach and research consultant in Virginia. She is also the president of the Virginia Council of Mathematics Specialists. Her research includes participatory action-based methodologies and approaches to learn alongside teachers and communities to cultivate equitable and justice-focused mathematics spaces for children.
Theresa Wills
Theresa Wills, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the College of Education and Human Development at Mason and teaches pre-service and in-service mathematics and STEM education courses. Theresa's research interests include supporting teachers and students to unpack a love of mathematics. Theresa's love of mathematics can be found in representations and communication of ideas while problem solving and discovering the why behind so many memorized math procedures. Dr. Wills has taught synchronous online courses since 2010 and supported teachers across the world in implementing rigorous inquiry-based mathematics during the COVID-19 shift to online learning, including writing a best-selling book titled: Teaching Math at a Distance grades K-12: A Practical Guide to Rich Remote Instruction. Theresa is a recipient of the William C. Lowry Math Educator of the Year from The Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics (VCTM).