M. Melissa Hosten

Biography

Melissa Hosten, M.Ed. is the Co-Director for the University of Arizona Center for Recruitment and Retention of Mathematics Teachers. She works with partner schools and districts throughout southern Arizona to encourage new teachers in the profession, improve the professional learning and recognition of current teachers, mentor new teacher leaders, and improve systems to effectively retain mathematics teachers. She has served in public education for more than 25 years.

Melissa has collaborated with teachers across Arizona in her roles as Department Chairperson, Mathematics Specialist, Grant Director, Mathematics Program Specialist at the Arizona Department of Education, and Standards Coordinator at Maricopa County Education Service Agency. These collaborations developed, implemented, and sustained equity-focused programs and grants to identify and engage mathematically talented students, develop and implement more rigorous and conceptual standards, and support and sustain school improvement and student achievement by improving math instruction for all students. She has mentored many teachers, encouraging them to lead from their classrooms, at their schools, and at regional and national levels. Melissa continues to mentor Teacher Leaders, mentoring 4 PAEMST awardees.

Melissa has traveled internationally, working with teachers and leaders to improve instruction in conceptual mathematics. She has worked with districts and schools nationally and internationally on instructional improvement through reflective structures and classroom innovation. Melissa has worked with many schools on the implementation of and transition to the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. In this role she has helped develop support programs, challenge programs, and teacher observation protocols for peer observation and growth. She has worked with Illustrative Mathematics to deliver professional development and create resources aligned to the Common Core State Standards.

Melissa has authored journal articles that directly support the classroom and she has worked closely with others to encourage their sharing of high quality equity practices in mathematics. Melissa has peer reviewed many articles for NCTM and WME, mentoring authors and supporting innovation in mathematics education. She has contributed to professional development books and mathematics methods textbooks and electronic resources. She was recently awarded the Copper Apple Award for Leadership in Mathematics from the Arizona Association of Teachers of Mathematics and the University of Arizona Team Excellence award for service to Southern Arizona.

Equity has always been an important focus for Melissa. That drives her work as a past president of Women and Mathematics Education. She has represented NCTM and mathematics teachers across the nation on the Joint Committee for Women in Mathematical Sciences. She is an active member of TODOS Mathematics for All and served as a Co-Chairperson for their first national conference. Melissa has also served as Regional Vice President for the Arizona Math Leaders and as Southern Region Vice President for Arizona Association of Teachers of Mathematics. In support of the challenges students faced resulting from pandemic interruptions to learning, Melissa led the effort to develop home mathematics menus that families can engage with as well as an after school and summer school curriculum to Re-Engage Aspirational Learners (Getting REAL program). These efforts expanded opportunity and access to students across Arizona.