HomeAML Leadership Award

AML Leadership Award Recipients

The Leadership Award recipient is chosen from the pool of nominees provided by current members announced each year at the AML Annual Conference in February.

Award Criteria

Nominees should demonstrate the following:

Leadership Impact

Demonstrates "leadership at the local, regional, or state level" to improve mathematics teaching and learning in AZ
Engages in "collaborative efforts" that build partnerships and foster a network among mathematics educators.

Mentorship and Advocacy

Mentors others to "ensure that ALL Arizona students have access to rich mathematics curriculum, instruction, and assessment."
Advocates for equity and supports creative solutions to challenges in math education.

Commitment to Research-Affirmed Practices

Promotes "a common belief of research-affirmed teaching and learning practices" in their work with students, teachers, and leaders.
Models and encourages innovative approaches that align with AML’s commitment to professional growth and excellence.

Eligibility Requirements

Both the nominator and nominee must be current members of AML

Nomination Timeline

November - Call for Nominations to members
December - Close of nomination form
January - Award recipient notified
February - Winner announced (at Annual Conference)

2025

Wendy Stove

Wendy is a dedicated K-5 Mathematics Instructional Coach with expertise in K-8 mathematics and elementary education.

With 14 years of teaching experience, Wendy first discovered the power of "real math" during COVID while attending IMPACTS workshops through the Center for Recruitment and Retention of Mathematics Teachers (CRR) and has been inspired ever since to help teachers and students experience the joy of mathematics.

Passionate about making math meaningful, Wendy believes it should inspire creativity, invite collaboration, build perseverance, and position both teachers and students as confident, capable math people.

2024

Ted Coe

With over 30 years of experience in roles such as teacher, professor, department chair, administrator, non-profit director, and math advocate, Ted Coe uses his experiences to weave together thought-provoking perspectives in mathematics education. He has worked full-time as a high school mathematics teacher, a community college faculty member, the mathematics chair at two community colleges, as an assistant dean at the university level, as Director of Mathematics at Achieve, a non-profit focused on readiness for college, careers, and citizenship.

Currently, as NWEA’s Vice President of Academic Advocacy - Mathematics, Ted works to promote high-quality mathematical experiences for all. His work entails advocating for mathematics both within NWEA and around the nation. He also serves on the executive committee of the Conference Board of the Mathematical Sciences. Ted earned his B.A.E., M.Ed., and Ph.D. degrees from Arizona State University, each with a focus on mathematics education.

2023

Melissa Hosten

Melissa Hosten, exemplifies the qualities of an AML leader. She has served Arizona students through her leadership at the site, district, county, and state-wide levels. Her current work at the UArizona Center for Recruitment and Retention (CRR) includes mentoring teachers and teacher leaders. Many of these have gone on to present at state and national conferences, receive the PAEMST award, and take on leadership roles at their sites and districts.

In her leadership capacity, Melissa has been part of the forging of a relationship between the CRR and ADE, offering professional learning opportunities, both in-person and virtual, to all Arizona teachers. She also served on the MCESA (Maricopa County Education Service Agency) professional development team that vastly expanded their reach to support excellence in mathematics teaching. Before that, Melissa participated on the 2008 Mathematics Standards team, working alongside her colleagues from across the state to develop standards worthy of ALL students.

On a personal note, Melissa is a proud parent who frequently volunteers in the classrooms where her children attend. She also spends her summers working with teachers and children at schools in Kenya.

No matter what the task or opportunity, Melissa’s leadership ultimately centers on the students in Arizona classrooms. Her passion for supporting teachers and their leaders rests on ensuring that EVERY child in Arizona has access to high-qualified, highly-supported, highly-equipped math teachers in every classroom every day.

2022

Mona Toncheff

Mona Toncheff is an education consultant and author with over 30 years of experience in public education. She worked as both a mathematics teacher and as a mathematics specialist for the Phoenix Union High School District in Arizona. In her role as a mathematics specialist, she provided coaching and professional development to high school teachers and administrators to enhance mathematics teaching and learning, and to promote effective collaborative teamwork. Currently, she serves as a supervisor teacher for the University of Arizona Teach Program.

Mona Toncheff has served in various leadership roles within NCSM: Leadership in Mathematics and is the Past President. In addition to her work with NCSM, Mona co-founded and served as the president of Arizona Mathematics Leaders. She was recognized as the 2009 Phoenix Union High School District Teacher of the Year. In 2014, she received the Copper Apple Award for leadership in mathematics from the Arizona Association of Teachers of Mathematics, and in 2022, Mona received the AML Leadership Award from Arizona Mathematics Leaders.

2021

Nora Ramirez