Coaches

Ali approaches all learning opportunities with teachers and students from a place of inquiry and knows building trusting, supportive relationships is the cornerstone for teacher growth and student achievement.

Growing up, Ali’s math learning environments did not embrace risk-taking; mathematical learning was rote and isolated, and asking questions resulted in heartbreak. As an educator, she believes in just the opposite — true understanding is something to construct, making sense of math is empowering, and embracing our struggles only strengthens our practice.

Ali’s first students — English Language Learners in Long Island, NY — inspired her toward her initial Masters Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. This foundation grounded her work over the next 10 years with diverse groups as a classroom teacher (1-5) in Jackson Heights, Queens. Ali’s work as a teacher with both MiTC and Metamorphosis nudged her toward using math tools she once feared, encouraged her to make her thinking visible, and she quickly saw the impact of being a reflective practitioner.

Ali’s formative experiences in the Math Leadership Program at Bank Street propelled her into the role of Math Coordinator and Coach at a progressive charter school in Long Island City, where she coached Upper School teachers, led professional development, and developed math curriculum for 5 years.