MEET THE CREW
Meet the inspiring founding members of The C.R.E.W., a dedicated group of math coaches who are empowering students and educators alike. With their innovative approaches and passion for mathematics, they are transforming the learning experience and fostering a love for math in classrooms everywhere. Discover their journey and the impact they are making in the world of education!
DANIELLE VAUGHN, CEO
Danielle is a dedicated and passionate math expert with a proven track record of helping educator strengthen their instructional practice and build confidence in teaching mathematics. Danielle is known for her extensive experience leading professional development sessions across the nation. She is currently a math coach in Leon County, where she has worked with her district to create resources, assessments, and conducted workshops to help teachers become well versed in data, instruction, and planning.
A few of her WOW’s!:
-
2019-2020 Glenn-Howell Distinguished Educator Award
-
2025 Presenter at the Nat’l Council of Teachers of Mathematics
-
2024-2025 Teacher of the Year
-
2024 Don Bernard Teacher Enhancement Grant Recipient
-
Envision Credit Union Educator Grant Recipient
-
Attorney Scott & Wallace Winning Classroom Award
MIS'SHAYLANQUA SMITH, CEO
Mis’Shaylanqua “Shay” Smith is an accomplished educator with 19 years of teaching experience across kindergarten through 6th grade, with a strong focus on mathematics. She excels not only in the classroom but also as a mentor and coach, guiding both students and fellow teachers in math instruction.
-
Math Teacher & Coach: With nearly two decades of experience teaching elementary grades, Mis'shaylanqua brings deep pedagogical insight and practical strategies to her role, emphasizing conceptual understanding and mathematical confidence.
-
Social Justice Committee Co‑Chair: She serves as co‑chair of her local chapter's social justice committee, advocating for equitable access to quality math education and supporting marginalized student populations.
-
Statewide Math Presenter: As a recognized statewide presenter, Mis'shaylanqua delivers professional development sessions on effective math teaching practices. Her presentations are valued for blending research-based methods with real classroom application.
VERNISHA HOWARD, CEO
Vernisha Howard is an Instructional Math, Science, and Technology Coach. With 19 years of service Vernisha has spent the last two years in her current role, where she supports and enhances elementary math instruction across the district and the state. Her commitment to making learning both relevant and challenging has made a lasting impact on students and teachers alike. She is known for her ability to lead highly effective and engaging professional development workshops, and the ability to grow and support educators in the field of mathematics. She is also known for tailoring her approach to meet diverse learning styles, ensuring that all students are engaged and empowered in the classroom.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to education, Vernisha was named the 2024–2025 Glenn Howell Distinguished Educator of the Year, the highest honor awarded by Leon County Schools. This award commemorates the legacies of Dr. Devurn Glenn and Aquilina C. Howell, two trailblazing educators who shaped the district's history. Vernisha was chosen from among five finalists by a committee of district and school educators for her exceptional leadership, inclusive practices, and dedication to instructional excellence. Colleagues and administrators praise her for fostering a professional culture that is both collaborative and focused on student achievement. Through her work, Vernisha continues to elevate math education and serve as a powerful role model within the community.
SANDRA ALBER, CEO
Sandra Alber is widely recognized for her high proficiency in mathematics instruction, earning her recognition as one of the top-performing math teachers in her district. She consistently leads her students to excel on state and district assessments, demonstrating her strength in building deep mathematical understanding and student confidence.
In her current role as a math coach, Sandra mentors fellow educators—modeling best practices, analyzing classroom data, and co-designing lessons to elevate student outcomes across grades.
Sandra is also a statewide presenter, invited to lead professional development and keynote sessions that showcase her effective instructional strategies, classroom routines, and approaches to fostering equity and problem-solving skills in mathematics.
KARLISA ROSS, CEO
Karlisa Ross is a servant leader who began teaching elementary, and then serving as the school’s math coach, where she supported classroom teachers in implementing high‑quality math instruction and provided targeted intervention for students in need of extra support
In that role, she collaborated with faculty to enrich instructional strategies, facilitated data‑driven decision making in math classrooms, and helped foster a culture of inclusive learning and continuous improvement. Her hands‑on coaching, grounded in deep content knowledge and curricular expertise, quickly made her a valued leader within the school community.
Recognizing her leadership and instructional impact, Karlisa has elevated to the position of an Assistant Principal. In this expanded role, she now works closely with the principal and broader school leadership team to guide not only academic initiatives—but also school culture, staff development, and student discipline. Her transition amplifies the reach of her expertise beyond math instruction, positioning her as an influential advocate for teacher growth and student success school‑wide. Emotionally intelligent, strategically minded, and deeply committed to excellence, Karlisa Ross brings both instructional vision and operational leadership to Pineview’s mission of high achievement for all.
TRACY NASH, CEO
Tracy Nash is an experienced educator from Chicago who spent the past two decades as a fifth-grade teacher in diverse CPS classrooms. For the 2025‑2026 school year, she will transition into her new role as an elementary math coach—bringing her passion for student thinking, collaboration, and instructional development to educators district‑wide.
As a fifth-grade classroom teacher, Tracy became known for fostering student agency, her high level of engagement, encouraging children to explore multiple strategies for solving math problems, articulate their thinking, and build confidence alongside competence. Her classroom culture prioritized curiosity and collaboration, helping students take ownership of their learning and fueling a love for mathematics.
Now as a math coach, Tracy will partner with teachers to elevate instructional practice through modeling, co‑planning lessons, facilitating professional learning communities, and analyzing student data to guide differentiated support. Her experience in fifth grade gives her unique insight into the developmental and curricular needs of upper-elementary students, and she’s eager to support colleagues in bringing meaningful, inclusive mathematics instruction to all learners.
