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Bryan Butcher Jr., the 2025 Oregon Teacher of the Year, is a seventh-grade mathematics teacher at Beaumont Middle School in Portland, OR. He graduated from Grant High School in 2008 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology, magna cum laude, from Morehouse College. After joining Teach for America and teaching in Brooklyn, NY, he returned to Portland, eventually becoming a school climate specialist at his alma mater, Boise-Eliot Elementary. Missing the classroom, he returned to Beaumont to teach math. Bryan is known for his dedication to school culture, leading many school-wide events and Beaumont's Black Student Union for the past six years. He strives to create a thriving learning environment built on respect and effort, where students feel comfortable taking risks and expressing joy in learning every day.

Dan Meyer taught high school math to students who didn't like high school math. He has advocated for better math instruction on CNN, Good Morning America, Everyday With Rachel Ray, and TED.com. After earning his doctorate from Stanford University in math education, Dan joined Desmos to design Desmos Math, a digital math curriculum that emphasizes social connection and mathematical creativity. Dan now works at Amplify, Inc, as the Vice President of User Growth, where he focuses on teacher efficacy and student learning across Amplify’s suite of curriculum and technology products. He lives in Oakland, CA.

Lori MacKenzie is an experienced mathematics leader and professional learning facilitator dedicated to improving instructional practice and student thinking in K–12 classrooms. She currently serves as a Math Specialist at Clackamas Education Service District, where she partners with teachers, coaches, and administrators to design meaningful professional learning focused on equitable, high-impact mathematics instruction. Lori is a frequent presenter and workshop leader, including work centered on Building Thinking Classrooms, supporting productive mathematical discourse, and designing tasks that promote deep thinking. Known for her practical approach and deep respect for educators’ expertise, she blends research-based strategies with classroom realities to support lasting instructional change. Lori is passionate about creating mathematics classrooms where all students feel a strong sense of belonging and are valued as capable thinkers.

Latrenda Knighten, President (2024 - 2026) of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) is a retired Math Supervisor from Baton Rouge, LA. She has been an educator for more than 30 years during which she has held many roles that include being a classroom teacher, mathematics coach, and district content leader. An active member of many professional organizations, Latrenda is a past member of the NCTM, NCSM (Leadership in Math Education) and the Benjamin Banneker Association (BBA) Board of Directors. She is also the co-author of three books: Classroom-Ready Rich Math Tasks, Grades K - 1, Five to Thrive: Answers to Your Biggest Questions About Teaching Elementary Math, K-5 and Proactive Mathematics Interventions, Grades 2 - 5.