Dear OCTM Community,

I am deeply honored to serve as President of the Ohio Council of Teachers of Mathematics. I recognize that I stand on the shoulders of many incredible past leaders who have built the strong foundation that defines OCTM today. Their passion and commitment to our shared mission continue to inspire me.

OCTM is a community of mathematics leaders grounded in values that promote rich, student-centered learning environments where all learners can experience the joy and beauty of mathematics. We seek to nurture problem solvers, effective communicators, and creative, critical thinkers. No matter what career path our students choose, these core competencies will empower them with a deep sense of agency.

Our organization continuously works to broaden the definition of mathematics—moving beyond mere computation to put reasoning, communication, creative, critical thinking, and problem solving at the heart of what mathematicians do. Building a positive relationship with mathematics and feeling capable in the discipline is a fundamental human right that opens doors and helps us make sense of the world. In an information age where AI is here to stay, computational speed is no longer the ultimate goal as it was in the Industrial Era. Instead, we need learners who can analyze complex information, identify and generalize patterns, and conceptualize relationships between ideas. We need persistent critical thinkers, flexible problem solvers who adapt to rapid change, and students who see how their personal passions connect directly to mathematical ideas.

At OCTM, we firmly believe that representation matters. Every learner deserves to see themselves reflected in mathematics and to apply it in meaningful ways. We are stronger when we uplift diverse perspectives and experiences.

Spending twenty-seven years in education working toward these goals, I am continually learning from the incredible colleagues around me. As President, I will work tirelessly to serve our organization and champion these values alongside all of you.

I invite you to join us as both a leader and a learner. There are countless ways to get involved, big or small:

Annual Conference: Join us as a presenter, participant, volunteer, or all three!

Special Interest & Advisory Groups: Connect through our DEI Task Force, Summer Book Studies, DEEP Fried Math, Connector Events (online discussion groups), or Ins(pi)reUP initiatives.

Leadership Teams: We are always seeking fresh perspectives to join our committee and leadership teams.

Become a member! Simply join OCTM for the benefits of reduced rates to our conference and other professional events, and have unlimited access to many resources such as Keynote videos and presenter slides.

Please visit our website at ohioctm.org to explore current activities and stay up to date. If you are interested in stepping into a leadership or volunteer role, please check out our current opportunities.

Thank you for your dedication to mathematics education in Ohio. I look forward to serving this incredible organization!

With Gratitude,

Cara Morelos

President OCTM