Press Releases
Nonprofit Organization Launches National Search for Next President
NEW YORK, NY — Math for America (MƒA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to building communities of mathematics and science teachers, today announced that after three years of leadership, Maria Klawe plans to retire as president of the organization. The MƒA Board of Directors has hired Spencer Stuart to conduct a national search to identify the organization’s next president, who will build on MƒA’s longstanding commitment to exceptional New York City K-12 STEM teachers.
During her tenure, Klawe has played an important role in advancing MƒA’s mission to support accomplished STEM educators, strengthen the teaching profession, and foster a vibrant community of teachers dedicated to excellence in mathematics and science education. She helped lead MƒA through a period of growth and renewal, culminating this year in a return to a teacher community of more than 1,000, an organizational milestone that had not been seen since before the pandemic. Today, 1,029 MƒA Master Teachers serve in more than 375 schools across all five boroughs, extending their impact to over 100,000 students throughout New York City.
Klawe has also taken crucial steps forward in how the organization prepares for the future of STEM education. Under her direction, MƒA launched the STEM ƒutures Cohort, an initiative designed to encourage students from low-income families in New York City to pursue STEM majors in college. Earlier this year, 25 students from Leaders High School in South Brooklyn and Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School in Washington Heights completed the first-ever six-week summer intensive in robotics and programming. Klawe’s vision was to build on the foundation of outstanding MƒA teachers already working in these schools to create pathways that extend beyond the classroom.
“It has been an absolute privilege to lead MƒA and work alongside such an extraordinary community of teachers, staff, and partners,” said Klawe. “I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together and remain deeply committed to MƒA’s mission and the educators we serve.”
Klawe, a nationally renowned computer scientist, mathematician, and scholar, succeeded former MƒA president John Ewing, who came to MƒA after leading the American Mathematical Society. Prior to MƒA, Klawe became the first female president of Harvey Mudd College and helped the college achieve national and international recognition as a leader in increasing diversity in STEM.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to express our deep gratitude to Maria for the lasting contributions she has made to MƒA,” said Beth Hammack, chair of MƒA’s Board of Directors. “Under her leadership, MƒA has continued to champion the teaching profession and invest in an exceptional community of STEM teachers who inspire and transform the lives of their students.”
Klawe will continue to serve as president while the national search proceeds and remain in the role until a successor is identified. Spencer Stuart will seek candidates with the leadership experience, strategic vision, and commitment to education necessary to sustain MƒA’s impact and advance its mission. Additional information about the search and opportunities to apply will be shared in the coming months. MƒA remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting teachers who lead with deep content knowledge, curiosity, and a shared commitment to their students and to one another.
At MƒA, we’ve created fellowships for accomplished mathematics and science teachers. Our model is based on the belief that collaboration, continued learning, and genuine respect enables teachers to grow professionally and provides long-term career satisfaction. This is a remarkable community of teachers who stay in the profession longer and define what teaching excellence means. These are teachers who inspire and motivate their colleagues. They change the lives of their students.