Math Team

Director of Math Programs

John Allison

is new to AR AIMS in 2024 after 18 years in the classroom at Vilonia High School. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Lyon College in 2006, at 38 years old, following a wandering path to a teaching career that led through four years in the United States Marine Corps, a five-year stint driving a truck, and seven years raising poultry and cattle to earn a living. In 2009, John earned his Master’s degree in Mathematical Sciences from UALR. He taught everything from Algebra II to AP Calculus BC at Vilonia. John taught concurrent credit classes at Vilonia for 14 years, AP Statistics for 10 years, and AP Calculus AB and BC for four years. He challenged all students to do their best and encouraged them to strive for excellence. John quickly recognized how to leverage the Advanced Placement program to motivate students and increase achievement. His dedication to students was recognized through National Board Certification in 2012, designation as School Employee of the year in 2014 and 2018, appointment to the Governor’s School Safety Commission in 2018 and 2022, receiving an Outstanding Educator Award from the University of Chicago in 2021, and appointment to the Advisory Board of the Arkansas Center for School safety in 2022. John became an AP Statistics Exam reader for CollegeBoard in 2020. He looks forward to helping other teachers and schools serve their students through AR AIMS.

Math Team

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kathy Stevens

Kathy Stevens holds a Master of Arts in Mathematics Education (2014) from the University of Central Arkansas, as well as a Master of Music Performance (2001), and Bachelor of Music Education (1989). She also earned a Gifted Talented Certification (2006) from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Mrs. Stevens retired from teaching in 2024 with 30 years’ experience in the state of Arkansas. She has taught middle school math, Algebra I, Algebra II, Concurrent Credit Accelerated Precalculus/Trigonometry, Calculus AB and Calculus BC at Bryant Public Schools. She was selected as Bryant High School’s teacher of the year in 2018 and was awarded the Tom and Linda McMillan Award for Excellence in Mathematics while a student at UALR. She has also served as a College Board AP Calculus Reader. She enjoys the fiber arts and has three sheep from which she gathers wool to spin yarn, knit and weave. She is currently working towards a Master Spinner Certificate from Olds College of Agriculture and Technology in Alberta, Canada. She also performs with the Saline Symphony Orchestra, Alchemia Flute Ensemble, and the Hot Spring Flute Ensemble. Mrs. Stevens was mentored by some wonderful AAIMS consultants when she began teaching AP Calculus at Bryant High School in 2014 and is thrilled for this opportunity to give back to the teaching community.

Math Team

Math Team

Director of Math Programs

John Allison

Math Team

Jennifer Beasley

Jill Brooks

Mike Buchan

Leslie Doss

Karen Greer

Tammy Skelton

Joanne Smith

Kathy Stevens

Useful Links

Get In Touch