IDS Professional Development

Jon has been teaching math at his alma mater, Crescenta Valley High School, for over 27 years, where he has taught Introduction to Data Science since 2021. His first year teaching IDS was online due to the pandemic, and he was amazed at how much easier and more enjoyable teaching the class was after everyone returned to the classroom. The thing he likes most about teaching IDS is the diverse student population that typically takes the class.

Amy Besoli is a math teacher with 25 years teaching experience, 23 of which have been spent at Crescenta Valley High School. She currently teaches AP Calculus AB, Integrated Math III, and Introduction to Data Science, a subject she has enjoyed teaching for the last six years. She loves that IDS is a course that can be applied to so many different topics and gets the students to think critically in a fun and engaging way. Outside the classroom, Amy enjoys spending time with her family, reading, cooking, hiking, and traveling.

Michael Bradac began facilitating Introduction to Data Science professional development in 2023, and in 2024 took on the role of Data Science Champion for ThinkDataEd. His work with TDE fulfills two of Michael’s professional goals: teaching mathematics to other professionals and writing math lessons or activity books. Michael retired in 2024 after 34 years as a secondary mathematics teacher in two districts in northeast Ohio. Michael enjoys baking, cooking, and experiencing our nation’s national parks with his family. Michael holds a B.A. in Education and an M. Ed in Curriculum and Instruction, and is currently working towards a post-degree certification in data analytics.

Heidi Bullock began teaching high school mathematics in 2008. When she started working on the Mobilize project at UCLA in 2012, her love for statistics and data science grew and thus began her departure from traditional mathematics education. Heidi has presented at various conferences such as the California Mathematics Council and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and recently earned her Master’s in Statistics from Texas A&M University. From California to Texas, she has implemented and facilitated data science coursework and is currently working for UCLA as a Professional Development and Curriculum Developer for the Introduction to Data Science (IDS) Project.

Amylene Cabrera knew she wanted to be a math teacher since the 9th grade, driven by a desire to make mathematics fun and engaging. This passion led her to UC Irvine, where she earned her BS in Mathematics and Secondary Teaching Credential. During her time at UCI and continuing to the present, she has worked as a Special Advisor in Planning for the UCI Math CEO high school outreach program. In her five years at Fallbrook High School, Amylene taught a variety of math courses, including Math Essentials, Integrated Math 1, and AP Statistics. During this time, she also taught Introduction to Data Science (IDS), growing the program from two sections to a full ten sections. She also facilitated professional development for the IDS project for two years before joining the Data Science Education Center at UCLA, where she now contributes to curriculum design. Her focus remains on making math accessible and engaging for all.

Monica Casillas began her teaching career at her alma mater, John H. Francis Polytechnic High School after earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in mathematics education from CSUN. Her commitment to innovative teaching practices led her to become a pilot teacher for the Introduction to Data Science course in 2014, where she witnessed significant positive shifts in student engagement and attitudes towards mathematics. Since then, Monica has been a teacher trainer for IDS, has facilitated at numerous conferences all over the nation, and most recently served as the Director of Professional Development and Curriculum with the IDS Team for six years before returning to the classroom.

Terri Johnson is one of the founding writers of the Introduction to Data Science (IDS) curriculum. She has a Master’s degree in Statistics from UCLA, where her research focus was Statistical Education. After a few years of teaching 7th through 12th-grade mathematics in Los Angeles, Terri has returned to the IDS team to develop a middle school data science course. She looks forward to reimagining mathematics education with a data science approach.

Driven by a passion for mathematics and helping others, Maureen Malinowski lives her dream of being an educator each day. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and theatre arts and a master’s degree in education, she began her teaching career in 2007. Maureen truly believes that all students can find success in math and enjoys seeing her high school students find the lightbulb moments. In 2021, Maureen began teaching Introduction to Data Science and fell in love with the interdisciplinary approach to the course. She strives for community partnership in the classroom to provide students rich opportunities to make connections and meaning with their learning. Maureen began working as a facilitator for UCLA in 2023. Maureen lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband, and in her spare time, she enjoys ballroom dancing and competitive bowling. Maureen is an avid animal lover, enjoys all things sports, and loves to travel.

In her nearly 20 years at LAUSD, Joy has taught IDS and all levels of mathematics, from Algebra I Tutorial through AP Calculus BC. She also served as a high school math coordinator for six years, supporting teachers with pedagogy and implementing new curricula. As one of the original IDS pilot teachers, Joy continued to journey with IDS becoming a part of the inaugural cohort of IDS facilitators, and now serves as the Interim Director of Professional Development and Curriculum for the Data Science Education Center at UCLA.

Brent Rojo has been teaching math and engineering at Venice High School since 2012 after spending seven years as a civil engineer. He has a B.S. in Engineering from Harvey Mudd College and an M.Ed. from Cal State LA. Brent currently teaches IDS, AP Computer Science Principles, and Engineering Design and Development.

Since 2006, Leah Ulloa has dedicated herself to teaching students across Southern California. Her extensive experience encompasses a wide range of mathematics courses, including Algebra, Geometry, Statistics, AP Statistics, and Introduction to Data Science (IDS). She has also taught AVID and Robotics. She began teaching IDS in 2017 and subsequently became an IDS facilitator. Leah is a strong advocate for the IDS curriculum, recognizing its ability to cultivate critical thinking, coding, and analytical skills essential for 21st-century learners. She emphasizes the real-world relevance of IDS and Statistics, promoting increased student engagement and understanding. When she is not in the classroom, you can find her on a run, tap dancing, traveling, and spending quality time with her daughter and family.