SVMI’s Leadership Team

 

David Foster

Founder

David Foster is the Founder of the Silicon Valley Mathematics Initiative (SVMI) whose mission is based on high performance expectations, ongoing professional learning, examining student work, and improved math instruction.   David established SVMI in 1996 working as Mathematics Director for the Noyce Foundation.  SVMI has an the extensive data base of mathematics teaching and learning resources (MAC/MARS performance tasks, Problems of the Month, videos, MAC Toolkits,  Coaching Materials, etc.).  Foster is the primary author of Interactive Mathematics: Activities and Investigations, published by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 1994. David was a Regional Director for the Middle Grade Mathematics Renaissance, of the California State Systemic Initiative.  David taught mathematics and computer science at middle school, high school, and community college for eighteen years.

 

Cecilio Dimas

Executive Director 

Cecilio Dimas is Executive Director of the Silicon Valley Mathematics Initiative (SVMI). He first crossed paths with SVMI as a teacher attending professional learning (PL) in 2002. After many years of engaging in PL, participating in Lesson Study, and utilizing the opportunity for ongoing coaching, Cecilio became part of the SVMI facilitator team. Before joining SVMI full time in 2016, he was the Director of the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Mathematics) Initiative at the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE). Prior to leading the STEAM Initiative, Cecilio served as a mathematics coordinator at SCCOE where he supported districts in their efforts to implement the Common Core State Standards-Mathematics. He has taught at both elementary and secondary levels. SVMI has played a vital role in his development as a learner, teacher, coach, facilitator, and administrator. Cecilio enjoys working with students, teachers, and administrators and believes that fostering the development of critical-thinking, collaboration, and communication skills while nurturing language development and cultivating joy in the mathematics classroom is essential for all students to thrive in our local, national, and global communities.

 

Tracy Sola

Director, Assessment & Special Projects

Tracy Sola was the Assistant Director of the Silicon Valley Mathematics Initiative from 2015 – 2023.  In 2023, Tracy transitioned to her role as Assistant Director of Assessment & Special Projects.  In this role, she manages the annual K-12 SVMI MAC/MARS Assessment Project and supports member districts on grant-based and other special assessment projects. Tracy has worked with SVMI to deliver professional learning to teachers, coaches, and administrators since 2008, facilitating professional learning experiences across the San Francisco Bay Area and nationally.  She directs the SVMI Lesson Study Project.   She collaborates with school systems to examine and improve their math pathways.  She has collaborated with Arizona State University, The University of California, Berkeley, and The Shell Center, University of Nottingham, UK, in the development of electronic versions of mathematics curriculum.  Tracy coached K-8 mathematics and taught grades K-Algebra 1 for 16 years.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Stanford University, both a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and an Administrative Credential from California State University East Bay, and a Teaching Credential from San Francisco State University. Tracy is a frequent speaker at California state and national mathematics education conferences.

 

Jenny Cheng

Director, Professional Learning

Jenny Cheng joined the Silicon Valley Mathematics Initiative as a Mathematics Coordinator in 2021 and became Director, Professional Learning in 2023. Prior to that, she worked as a SVMI consultant for several years supporting and providing mathematics professional development for educators across the state. Since 2002, she has taught in both public and private schools from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8. Jenny has worked as a teacher, supervisor, mentor, coach and coordinator in urban school districts, private international schools, charter schools and the county office of education. Both of her roles include supporting teachers as an instructional coach, designing virtual and in-person professional learning experiences for educators at all levels. Her pedagogical training is rooted in Project Based Learning, Design Thinking, and Complex Instruction. She is most inspired by the work around mathematics and social justice when working with classroom teachers and young people.