Meet Our Team

As a child, Kathryn Leverenz was something of a math marvel. She’d effortlessly breeze “around the world” with flashcards, her sharp mind cutting through numbers with an ease that awed both peers and teachers. She’d be the first student finished with timed tests. Recognized for her exceptional talents (being fast and accurate), she was quickly classified as gifted, prompting a shift into independent math learning.

However, that independence from teacher-led instruction later failed Kathryn in high school amidst the intricacies of algebra and the complexities of geometry. The very subject she had once adored became incomprehensible equations and theories. In fact, her disenchantment with math grew so profound that she strategically chose a college degree that required the bare minimum of mathematical engagement.

As the years passed and the scars of her high school math experiences healed, Kathryn began reflecting on her journey. She recognized a fundamental truth: the way math is taught can either fan the flames of passion or douse them entirely. It was this realization that brought her to the doorstep of the Math Institute of Wisconsin.

Kathryn’s background is rooted in philanthropy. She has over 25 years experience in the nonprofit sector. Prior to joining MIW, she spent five years as President and CEO of the Waukesha County Community Foundation. Kathryn recently completed a nine year board term for Wisconsin Philanthropy Network. Currently Kathryn serves as the Chair of the Waukesha County Business Alliance Non Profit Executive Council.

Kathryn received her M.S. in Organizational Leadership and Administration from Concordia University in 2019 and her B.A. in French from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1997. Kathryn lives in Oconomowoc with her husband and three sons Blake, Ethan and Brett.

Shelley’s journey to the Math Institute of Wisconsin was deeply personal. It all began with her son Joe. Teachers initially mistook Joe’s restlessness in math class as symptoms of ADD. However, a deeper understanding of his abilities revealed that he wasn’t disinterested, he was disengaged because he was a genius in his own right. Rather than being a challenge, math was too simple for him, leading him to be accelerated a grade.

Conversely, her other son, Alex, wrestled with math throughout his life. She experienced a contrast of learning needs that many families grapple with. For Shelley, it wasn’t just about recognizing prodigies or supporting those who struggled; it was about understanding that every child’s mathematical journey is unique and both situations deserve equal attention and resources.

Determined to bridge the gap between teachers, students and parents, Shelley saw the Math Institute of Wisconsin as her calling. She decided her final years working could be the most impactful. Her hope is that through enhanced training and resources, educators can discern the nuanced needs of their students, ensuring that gifted kids like Joe aren’t stifled by inattention and that learners like Alex aren’t left behind.

Prior to joining the Mathematics Institute of Wisconsin, Shelley worked for the YMCA in Oconomowoc for 15 years as a Membership Director/Business Analyst. Next she joined the Waukesha County Community Foundation for 6 years as Operations Director. Shelley is a member of the Waukesha Sunrise -Rotary and serves on numerous nonprofit committee. Shelley holds a B.S. with a double major in Mathematics and Psychology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her hobbies include gardening, baking, hiking and volunteering. She resides in Pewaukee with her husband Mike.

Crystal spent eight years as a mathematics classroom teacher at the elementary and middle school level. Crystal holds a Bachelors in Elementary/Middle Education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Masters degree in Instruction and Technology from Cardinal Stritch University. She lives in Mequon with her husband Tim and their two kids, Camden and Elliana.

Lisa has determined that her purpose in life is to ensure that every person is seen and valued as mathematical by their teachers, peers, family, community, and self. She strives to work with teachers towards this end to center students’ mathematical strengths and the joy and wonder that is mathematics within this world while empowering teachers as experts in their craft; we can always learn from each other.

Lisa’s roles in education have included high school mathematics teacher, College Preparatory Mathematics teacher leader, 4K-12 district-wide mathematics coordinator, summer school principal (both elementary and high school), and teaching faculty for a secondary mathematics education program. Beyond her breadth of positions, Lisa earned her BS in Secondary Mathematics Education and her MS in Educational Leadership both from University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has been trained in Student-Centered Coaching, AVID, CPM, Carnegie, Bridges, Illustrative Mathematics, AVMR Courses 1, 2, and Fractions, Adaptive Schools, and Beyond Diversity. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Mathematics Council, most recently as the President.

Eric strongly believes that mathematics teaching should not only focus on developing math skills and understandings, but also on empowering students to see themselves as doers and thinkers of mathematics. As a former classroom teacher and instructional coach, he realizes the impact high-quality, embedded professional learning has on student learning. Eric first began his journey with the Math Institute of Wisconsin in 2015 as a consultant and then was hired a year later as a full-time employee. Eric finds working with adult learners to be equally as fulfilling and engaging as working with students, and is excited to continue to empower educators around transforming their math instruction.

In his current role, Eric develops and provides professional learning opportunities for K-8 teachers. He is certified by Illustrative Mathematics to deliver professional learning for their open-source middle school curriculum as well their K-5 curriculum that will be available to the public in summer of 2021. Prior to joining the Math Institute, Eric spent thirteen years as a classroom teacher at the elementary level and three years as a Math/Instructional Coach in the Greenfield School District. He also worked as a summer school principal for two years.

Eric holds a B.S. in Elementary/Middle Education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and a M.S. in Educational Leadership from Cardinal Stritch University.

Sonja is passionate about helping empower math educators to create engaging, active, and equitable mathematical classroom communities where students believe in their mathematical abilities and are empowered to be the authors of their own learning. Sonja was fortunate to have a dad who always instilled in her the belief that she was a “math person,” even when math was a challenge. This has inspired her throughout her career to be a tireless advocate for the idea that ALL students are mathematicians. Before joining the Math Institute team, Sonja spent 19 years in public education as a middle school mathematics teacher, math interventionist, and math instructional coach.

Sonja earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Education from Luther College in Decorah, IA. She holds a Masters of Education in Professional Development from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, and has her Instructional Coaching Certification from the University of Wisconsin Madison. She is trained in the fundamentals of Adaptive Schools, is a certified New Teacher Mentor, is trained in Add+Vantage Math Recovery Course 1, 2, and Fractions, and is a certified trainer for Illustrative Mathematics. She lives in Stoughton, WI with her husband, two children, and their beagle.

Kristine Hineman began her career in education over 29 years ago as a high school mathematics teacher in Utica Community Schools, MI where she also held the leadership role of system-wide chairperson. After 21 years in the classroom, she transitioned to a K–12 mathematics education consultant for the Macomb Intermediate School District serving 226 public schools. She develops and facilitates professional learning for mathematics educators and administrators in any capacity that advances STEM education at local, county, and state levels. She is passionate about uniting teachers vertically, across grade levels and across all content areas. Her goal is to provide long-term and ongoing change in classroom instructional strategies that raises student achievement. During her time away from education, she is passionate about spending time with family and friends.

Kristine is certified by Illustrative Mathematics to deliver professional learning for their open source middle school and high school curriculum.

Paige is an educational consultant and coach with over 25 years of experience in education and leadership. Her work focuses on supporting schools and districts to strengthen skills and systems in order to benefit students. She believes students deserve to have a joyful and intellectually engaging school experience: one that builds on each and every student’s strengths. With this in mind, Paige intentionally works to build capacity in teachers, administrators, and other education stakeholders.

Paige served as chair of the Professional Development Services Committee for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) between 2019 and 2022. She also served as an elected board member of Wisconsin Mathematics Council (WMC) between 2010 and 2016. Paige is a Training Associate for Thinking Collaborative in Cognitive Coaching℠.

Lisa’s passion for math began when she taught fourth grade in the School District of Fort Atkinson. She attended a math workshop to figure out how to best meet the needs of all her students and was pleasantly surprised to find herself immersed in mathematics! From there she specialized in fourth grade math and went on to become a Math Interventionist for the district, serving in the role for 9 years. Lisa has received training in Add+Vantage Math Recovery Courses 1 and 2 as well as Fractions, giving her tools to help close gaps for struggling math learners. When the district began looking for a new math program, Lisa became involved in the selection of Illustrative Mathematics, a problem-based curriculum that invites all students into the learning. She became passionate about this program. So much so that when she decided to retire from her teaching career at the end of the 2021-22 school year, she applied to be a certified IM facilitator. Lisa is certified by Illustrative Mathematics to deliver professional learning for their K-5 curriculum.

Lisa holds a B.S. in Elementary Education (grades 1-9) from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She is married to Glenn and they have one son, Charlie, and a dog, Rosey.