Tom Simmons began serving as an educator in 1987 upon completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology/Chemistry from Louisiana College. He taught math and science and coached in schools in Louisiana and Arkansas and completed his Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Louisiana Tech 2003. In the spring of 2003, he was selected to serve as Endowed Mathematics Chair for the El Dorado School District.

While serving as Mathematics Chair, Simmons has served on multiple state and national committees including: ADE Crosswalk committees (K – 8, 9 – 12), ADE Parent Report Card committee, Arkansas Blue Ribbon Committee, ADE High School Mathematics Course development, ADE Computer Science and Mathematics course development committee, ADE Computer Science Standards committees, Arkansas Association of Mathematics Leaders – President, PARCC Diagnostic Assessment review, ACT/Aspire Performance Level Descriptor committee, Triangle Coalition for STEM Education, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics committee, National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics Affiliate, National Integrated Cyber Education Research Center AMES course development. He has also teamed with educators from across the state to work alongside legislators to improve educational opportunities for students.

Simmons resides in El Dorado with his wife Rhonda who serves as Assistant Superintendent of El Dorado Schools. He has three children and four grand-children. Tom attends Cross Life Church and enjoys fishing.

Vice President (2017-):  Cara Cates:  ccates@uca.edu 

Cara Cates was born in Conway, Arkansas and received her Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics, and Master of Arts in Mathematics Education at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA). Ms. Cates has taught secondary mathematics at Morrilton Junior High, Conway Christian High School, and Vilonia Junior High; served as a graduate teaching assistant at UCA; held the position of instructor at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville; and currently serves as a state math specialist at the UCA STEM Institute.  Cara has been honored with receiving Teacher of the Year at Conway Christian High School and the Soaring Wings Educator Award at Vilonia Junior High. She has been published in the Arkansas Council of Teachers of Mathematics quarterly newsletter and has presented at various conferences including T3 International and Regional Conferences and the Arkansas Curriculum Conference. Cara is passionate about equipping teachers to provide students with the opportunity to truly understand and apply mathematics while developing essential problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Membership (2017-):  Jackie Starks

Secretary (2014-):  Judy Dunmire, Judy.Dunmire@uafs.edu 

 Judy Dunmire graduated from Greenwood High School in Greenwood, AR. After starting a family, she continued her education at the University of Arkansas in Fort Smith (then Westark), completed her Bachelor of Science at Arkansas Tech University, and has an M.Ed in Secondary Education Mathematics from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Judy holds an Arkansas educator's license in 7-12 Mathematics and is National Board Certified. She taught at Charleston Middle School and High School for 10 years before taking a position at the University of Arkansas STEM Institute for Math and Science Education in Fort Smith. She is a member of ACTM, NCTM, and NCSM. She is currently the K-12 Math Specialist at Western Arkansas Educational Cooperative. 

Tim Brister graduated from Melbourne High School in Melbourne, AR and later went to Harding University and earned a BA and MSE.  Tim has taught mathematics at Midland School District in Pleasant Plains, Beebe Middle School, and Searcy High School.  He has also served as an adjunct instructor for ASU in Beebe and for Harding University in Searcy.  Tim is a member of the ACTM board and and a member of NCTM and NCSM.  He is currently the K- 12 Mathematics Specialist at Harding University STEM Center for Math and Science Education in Searcy Arkansas.