Math Team

Director of Math Programs

Wes Davis

Wes Davis is a lifelong Arkansan and a graduate of Jacksonville High School (1991). He earned both a Bachelor of Science degree (1995) and a Master of Science in Education degree in Mathematics (1999), building the foundation for a distinguished career in mathematics education.

A National Board Certified Teacher, Wes has dedicated his career to helping students achieve success in mathematics. Throughout his teaching career, he has taught a wide range of rigorous courses, including AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, and AP Precalculus.

Beyond the classroom, Wes has contributed extensively to mathematics education at the state and national levels. From 2008 through 2024, he served as a Reader and Table Leader for the AP Statistics Exam, helping to ensure the quality and consistency of exam scoring for students across the country. He also worked with the Arkansas Initiative for Mathematics and Science (AIMS) during its early years as a presenter in Calculus and Statistics, helping students review for the AP Exams.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to mathematics education, Wes was selected as a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in 2021, one of the nation's highest honors for K–12 STEM educators.

Wes remains committed to advancing mathematics education and inspiring students to develop the analytical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary for success in college, careers, and life.

Math Team

Brittany Farris

Brittany Farris recently transitioned from full-time to part-time education. A graduate of Southside High School in Independence County, Brittany’s passion for advanced mathematics began in high school. She earned both her BSE and MA in Mathematics Education from the University of Central Arkansas. While in graduate school, Brittany taught College Algebra at UCA before moving to Cabot High School, where she taught courses ranging from Inclusion Geometry to AP Statistics. She also served as an adjunct instructor for Pulaski Tech and ASU Beebe. Outside the classroom, Brittany enjoys painting, making, and creating in all forms. As a new consultant with Arkansas AIMS, she is excited to share her love for education and inspire both teachers and students.

Jennifer Beasley

Jennifer Beasley has been in education for over 25 years. She is a nontraditional teacher. Her experiences in education and outside of education allowed her to work in every aspect of elementary, middle, high school, and college. Her experience includes teacher, Instructional Technology Specialist, School Improvement Specialist, Science Program Administrator, K-12 STEM Director, Academy, Coach/Virtual Coordinator, and Adjunct Professor. Jennifer absolutely loves children and coaching teachers. She has four children and one grandchild.

Jill Brooks

Jill Brooks retired after teaching for 28 years in the Pulaski County Special School District, teaching Calculus AB and BC along with many other secondary math courses. She has a BS in Mathematics from ASU-Jonesboro and a MA in Mathematics Education from UCA. She participated in Arkansas AIMS for many years and benefited greatly from their expertise and Training. Jill grew up in Jacksonville, AR, but has lived the past 30 years in North Little Rock. Jill enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her 3 kids, 9 grandchildren, great-grandson, and 2 mini-Dachshunds. As a first-year consultant, she is excited about sharing her love for Mathematics through Arkansas AIMS.

Joanne Smith

Although I was born and raised in Memphis, my husband and I moved to Arkansas about 50 years ago so I call it home. I have two sons, one in Missouri and the other in California, and I so enjoy visiting them and my five grandchildren and daughters-in-law. I retired after 22 years of teaching mathematics of all levels at West Memphis High School. I taught AP Statistics for the last 13 years and think it is a course that benefits all students. Even though I retired, I am still involved in math education. Besides being an AP Statistics consultant for the last two years with AR AIMS, I tutor many junior high and high school students throughout the year especially for ACT prep. I am currently serving as the financial officer for the Arkansas Council of Teachers of Mathematics and was the 2002 recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. When West Memphis was a cohort in AR AIMS, I felt like our entire AP program was enhanced and the teachers became better teachers and the students became better students. I so enjoyed having the opportunity to teach in many Saturday prep sessions across the state and interact with dedicated and enthused AP Statistics teachers. Through AR AIMS, I am fortunate to be able to keep my hand in math and reconnect with stat teachers that I have worked with in the past and meet new teachers.

Karen Greer

began working for Arkansas AIMS in August 2018. Before retiring to Fayetteville, she taught mathematics for 42 years in the El Dorado School District. Her experience ranges from pre-AP sixth grade math to Math Instructional Facilitator and AP Calculus AB, which she taught for 12 years. She also taught Math for Teachers I and II, College Algebra, and College Trigonometry at South Arkansas Community College. She has benefited from many years’ experience with Arkansas AIMS, as El Dorado was a Cohort 1 school. Karen is married, has a daughter and son, and four grandchildren.

Leslie Doss

Leslie Doss recently retired from teaching math and coaching dance at Cabot High School. She graduated from Hamburg High School and received her BSE in Mathematics Education from the University of Central Arkansas. Leslie taught a total of 33.5 years that also included Monticello, Mills, Oak Grove, and Sylvan Hills. She taught almost every math course, including 7th grade, Algebra (1, 2 & 3), Intermediate Algebra, Geometry, Pre-AP Algebra 2, Applied Math, Consumer Math, Core Plus Math, and Precalculus. Since retiring, Leslie spends the summer managing cheerleader and dance camps for Varsity Event Administration. She is married and has one daughter and looks forward to staying connected to teachers and students through Arkansas AIMS.

Lori Barton

Lori Barton was raised in Salado, Arkansas and graduated from Southside High School. She earned her BSE through the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and her MSE from UCA. Lori has been in education for over 24 years. She taught in the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Pulaski County Special School District, and Vilonia School District. Lori’s experience includes elementary, special education, and middle school math. She loves children and supporting others. Lori enjoys clogging, camping, and spending time with her husband, 2 daughters, and 6 grandchildren. She is excited to share her love for Mathematics through AR AIMS

Mike Buchan

grew up in Jacksonville, Arkansas and graduated from Jacksonville High School. He then attended UCA and earned his BSE and eventually his MSE there. He then went on to teach in the Pulaski County Special School DIstrict for 35 years until he retired in 2019. During this time he taught 4 years at Mills High School, 23 years at Oak Grove High School, and finished up with 8 years at Maumelle High School. Along the way he taught every math class offered from basic math to BC Calculus. He also coached football, baseball, and golf. Mike taught Calculus for 22 years while at Oak Grove and Maumelle. During this time the AP scores for his classes were among the highest in PCSSD. He also taught numerous concurrent classes for UCA and UALR. He also taught College Algebra classes at night at UCA. Since retiring he splits his time between babysitting his granddaughters, golfing, riding motorcycles, and playing guitar in a rock band. Mike is in his first year as an AR AIMS Math Consultant. He is now excited to help others through the AIMS program. A program that helped him immensely while teaching at Maumelle.

Tammy Skelton

Tammy Skelton retired in 2023 after teaching in Springdale Public Schools for over 20 years. During her teaching career she taught mathematics, science, and served as Instructional Facilitator in the largest district in the state. She is Nationally Board Certified in mid-level mathematics and received her Masters in TESOL. She is Lead Teacher and Master Teacher designated from DESE. Tammy grew up in the Little Rock area and attended both Little Rock Public Schools and Pulaski County Schools. She graduated from the University of Arkansas. Go Hogs! Mrs. Skelton has a passion for supporting teachers, analyzing student thinking, and combining these two elements to promote successful learning opportunities for all. Tammy enjoys reading, attending Razorback sports events, traveling, spending time with family, and learning new things. She is married (to a retired administrator) and has 5 adult children (3 are working in education) and 5 grands. Tammy is excited to connect with GEAR UP middle school math teachers and see the amazing things going on in classrooms.