Tamara Bane

I started teaching at the turn of the century and have had experiences teaching a variety of elementary students in Waukee and Winterset before moving into an instructional coaching role in 2014. I started that role at the high school level before moving into a specific math instructional coach role where I currently serve preschool-12th grade for Winterset Community Schools. I have also had the opportunity to serve as an adjunct professor at Simpson College for the educational department in the area of math.

My BA was obtained from Simpson College in 1999 followed by my Master's Degree from Viterbo University in 2008. I was recognized as a PAEMST finalist for the state of Iowa in 2014. My passion for mathematics came through my deep learning of how people think about math while becoming a trainer in Cognitively Guided Instruction. Since that time, I have devoted my educational career to spreading awareness that people think differently about math and giving them the ability to express themselves through their own strategies. I have been a long-time member of NCTM, ICTM, NCSM and act as an executive at-large board member for ICTM and the state representative for IA-NCSM. I am also an active member of our local education association.

In my free time, you’ll often find me with my family—my childhood sweetheart, Justin, our son Tage and his wife Emily along with our first grandson Warren, and our two other sons, Jensen and Ty. We share a love for the outdoors, exploring new places, and trying new experiences together. It would be my honor to serve our state in this capacity.

• John Butz
• Kate Degner

• Jody Nielson
• Anna Scholl

• Mariah Schroder
• Valerie Sitzmann

• Stephanie Steines
• Honora Wall

John Butz

My name is John Butz. I am in my 11th year as a math consultant for Heartland Area Education Agency. I started my education career as a 5th grade teacher in Lake Mills, Iowa. I taught there for 9 years before I moved to central Iowa. I then taught for 10 years in Des Moines, teaching 5th and 2nd grade at Oak Park Elementary and Jefferson Elementary. I then took on the role of math coach/math interventionist for 2 years at Jefferson Elementary before moving on to Heartland AEA. I am a member of ICTM and NCTM and have presented at both conferences. I have previously served on the executive board on ICTM and would greatly enjoy the opportunity to do so again. I believe that all students can be successful in math and that it is all of our jobs to help make that happen.

Kate Degner

Kate Degner is in her 21st first year of secondary mathematics education. Currently, she is a secondary mathematics teacher in the Iowa City Community School District. Over the course of her career she has taught in a variety of school districts in the state of Iowa including Lone Tree, Williamsburg, Maquoketa, and finally Iowa City. Kate has also worked a post-secondary institutions in Iowa including the University of Iowa Belin Blank Center and Department of Teaching and Learning; St. Ambrose University, and Scott Community College.

Over the course of her career Kate has spoken at many state, regional, and national conferences including NCTM, ICTM, ICTM (Illinois), MidSchool Math, iTAG, and College Board conferences. Kate is currently a member of Women in Mathematics, TODOs, NCTM, and ICTM. She is serving as a section editor for the NCTM periodical MTLT.

Jody Nielson

Passion, motivation, positivity, teacher geek, mistakes grow learners, teaching forward, fun, fun, FUN! Those are just a few words that sum up my professional career! My passion is making sure that students, pre-service teachers, and co-workers that I am fortunate to engage with are enjoying math to its fullest potential. MATH IS FUN! I love taking learners who think they are horrible at math and showing them all the possibilities. I love sharing ideas on how to engage learners with others. I just love this profession!

I have been fortunate to learn alongside so many other educators during my 20+ years in education. I taught 2nd and 3rd grade and then moved to 6th grade Language Arts. I joined the Nebraska State Reading Association and was President of the Central Nebraska Reading Council and served as Treasurer on the Nebraska State Reading Association. My adventure to Iowa brought me back to 3rd and 2nd grade and then my journey to loving math started over 8 years ago when I taught 6th grade math. I haven't stopped since! Seeing a student light up when they realize they aren't bad at math and that it can be FUN has been a passion ever since! Over those years, I have had the pleasure to work with several student teachers and help teach (and learn from) them on how to engage learners and also collaborate alongside of other teachers. I have presented at several district PD's and served on several district teams to push students and teachers further.

Outside of school, my husband and I, along with our 3 adult children, love to go to Broadway shows, have game nights, get out in nature, travel, and create memories however we can! I still love my book life and reading, I love to craft and be creative, I love technology, and I love spending time with friends. I hope we can connect as well!

Anna Scholl

Anna Scholl has ben a mathematics educator for 19 years, including 11 years of teaching between Texas and Iowa. After 8 years of teaching high school mathematics in Cedar Rapids, Anna moved into her current role as a K-5 mathematics curriculum developer with Amplify Education. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from LeTourneau University and a Master’s in Education degree in Educational Technology from Iowa State University.

As a teacher, Anna aimed to create a classroom environment supportive of all students, utilizing a mix of teaching methods, with a focus on methods engaging students in constructing meaning through inquiry based learning and incorporating the mathematical practices. Anna encouraged students to recognize themselves as “math people” and see struggle as an opportunity for learning and growth.

Anna has been a part of the Desmos Fellow program since its creation in 2016. As part of the program, Anna has presented at state and regional conferences on integrating the Desmos activity builder to support students’ mathematical learning, and created and shared activities with other teachers nationwide. Anna continues this work with Amplify, now presenting on how the free resources within the platform can be utilized to support cognitively guided instruction for elementary mathematics.

Mariah Schroder

Mariah Schroder is an Educator that hails from Neola, Iowa. Her passion for learning led her to pursue a Degree in Education from the University of Iowa. Mariah earned a Masters Degree in Curriculum & Instruction and a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Doane University. She has been teaching for 18 years in Council Bluffs Community Schools District, teaching in both Elementary and Middle School roles. She also served 8 years as an Instructional Mathematics Coach, 3 years as an Elementary Principal and is currently the K-5 Mathematics Curriculum Specialist for Council Bluffs Community Schools.

A member of National Council for Teachers of Mathematics, ICTM and also ASCD, she continues to research and refine teaching, coaching and leadership practices. Mariah also teaches current and future educators through Council Bluffs University (A district TLC Based Course Offering) and is also an adjunct instructor at Doane University.

In 2024, she was awarded the Living the Mission Award by Carter Lake Elementary for exemplary support, coaching and leadership that resulted in outstanding student learning and achievement in the area of Mathematics. She continues to support Carter Lake and all Elementary buildings coaching and professional learning in the area of Mathematics.

Valerie Sitzmann

Valerie Sitzmann is in her 31st year in education. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Elementary Education with a math specialization. After graduation, she added her Middle School Endorsement. She also has a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Wayne State University. Valerie will graduate in May with her Ed Specialist in Leadership from Northwest Missouri University.

Valerie taught middle school math at Kingsley-Pierson for 24 years, was a math consultant at NWAEA for 6 years, and has now returned to her classroom at Kingsley-Pierson for year 31. She aims to make math accessible for all students in her classroom and hopes to instill the love of math in her students.

Valerie has served on the ICTM Board for the past 6 years and is currently a member of the Professional Learning Committee. She served on the Iowa Mathematics Standards Review Committee. She has served as an instructional coach in her district.

Stephanie Steines

Stephanie Steines has been teaching for 27 years. Twenty-four of those years have been at Decorah High School teaching a variety of classes from Algebra I up through AP Statistics as well as AP Chemistry. Her current assignment includes Precalculus, AP Statistics, and Algebra I.

Stephanie aims to create an active learning environment in which students are engaged in discourse with a focus on development of mathematical understanding. Students in her classroom work together to explore concepts and develop problem solving skills. She encourages students to maintain a growth mindset while they learn from their errors and build stronger, deeper understanding of mathematics.

Stephanie has served as a reader for AP Statistics for the past 11 years gaining insight into the AP Statistics exam. She sits on the board for the Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics and currently serves as the Nominations & Election Coordinator. Stephanie is currently a member of Action Group 1 for the Iowa Higher Education Mathematics Transition Advisory Council. She worked on the Standard Setting committee for Grade 11 and the Vertical Articulation committee for the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress. In her district, Stephanie has worked as a cooperating teacher with pre-service education students and has served as the department representative on the District PLC Team.

Stephanie was recognized as a PAEMST finalist for the state of Iowa in 2019 and in 2021. She earned a B.A. in mathematics and chemistry from Luther College and a M.A. in mathematics from the University of Northern Iowa. She is certified in 5-12 mathematics and 5-12 chemistry.