PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
A Message from CMC President,
Ma Bernadette Andres-Salgarino, Ed.D., NBCT
October 2025
Dear CMC Family,
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As I write this message, my heart is full—with gratitude, pride, and a renewed sense of purpose. This past July, I began a new chapter in my professional journey with the California Teachers Association (CTA). For more than 150 years, CTA has been a powerful voice for educators, leading the labor movement and ensuring that every student in California has access to a high-quality public education. To stand alongside 310,000 dedicated educators across our state is both humbling and deeply inspiring.
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Recently, I’ve been reflecting on a line from Secrets of a Successful Organizer by Bradbury, Brenner, and Slaughter: “Organizing is an attitude.” It is the belief that, together, we can make things better. That action is always stronger than complaint. That solutions are discovered through collaboration and collective effort. This mindset has been a constant in my own journey as an educator and leader.
With over 20 years of experience as a high school math teacher and higher education instructor, and more than a decade as a county administrator, my work has consistently centered on collective action—building communities that lift each other up and improve the quality of education, particularly for those historically underserved. I have always believed that leadership is not just about words, but about putting vision into motion: setting clear goals, designing processes for feedback and accountability, and creating spaces for shared reflection and continuous improvement.
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As the first female Filipino President of CMC, I carry this belief with profound gratitude. I stand on the shoulders of the incredible leaders who came before me—those who led with courage, integrity, and vision. I especially thank past CMC Presidents Kathlan Latimer, Vicki Vierra, Cathy Carrol, Christine Roberts, and Bruce Grip for their mentorship, friendship, and unwavering belief in my leadership. Their guidance strengthened my resolve, and their trust reminded me that authentic leadership is a shared endeavor.
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The collective work of the current CMC Board of Directors and committee members has been nothing short of inspiring. Together, we have advanced initiatives that genuinely make a difference. The Gates Foundation grant paved the way for deep engagement within our mathematics education community, enabling us to support schools and districts during their adoption of instructional materials. Our collaboration with the High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) – Learning Partners Coalition (LPC) has elevated our advocacy for the dual acquisition of mathematical understanding and language development—a critical intersection for equity and access in learning.
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I would like to share a resource developed through collective input at the CMC-South 2024 Conference and continued collaboration with our partners. It highlights practical actions educators can take during their district or site’s adoption cycle. Each of the five categories represented in the document emerged from shared experiences, thoughtful dialogue, and a collective commitment to ensuring that math instruction remains rigorous, inclusive, and student-centered. Click here to access this Actionable Steps for HQIM Resource.
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As we enter the final quarter of my term, I am honored to welcome the incoming 2026 CMC Board of Directors. Congratulations to all state and regional officers who will carry this important work forward:
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State Officers
President – Hilda Wright | President-Elect – Christina Lincoln Moore | Secretary – Rebecca Lewis | Treasurer – Scott Ellingson
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CMC North Officers
President – Claudia Bertolone-Smith | President-Elect – Linda Koyen | Vice President – Nicole Sebek | Secretary – Catherine Thompson | Treasurer – Patricia Dickenson
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CMC Central Officers
President – Cole Sampson | President-Elect – Keith Trump | Vice President – Jennifer Carr | Secretary – Sumeet Singh | Treasurer – Stacie Doss
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CMC South Officers
President – Peg Cagle | President-Elect – Vanessa Cerrahoglu | Vice President – Susie Jaggers | Secretary – Gabriela Mitchell | Treasurer – Stefanie Halloway
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To all members who cast their votes—thank you. Your participation matters. Your voice matters. And your continued engagement beyond the ballot is what keeps CMC strong. Our new website, launching soon, will offer opportunities to join committees, contribute ideas, and be part of shaping our organization’s next chapter.
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The book I mentioned earlier reminds us that “many hands make light work.” I have seen that truth lived out daily within CMC. Our accomplishments have been made possible because of dedicated volunteers—leaders who give their time, talent, and heart to this organization. Even our peer-reviewed ComMuniCator is a labor of love, created by volunteers who believe in the power of community and shared stewardship.
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Looking back, I gave it my all.
I listened to the voices from the field.
I felt your love and support.
I witnessed our collective strength and saw positive change take root.
I nurtured the fight for better education.
And I continue to hope—and to believe—in a brighter, more equitable future for all learners.
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Thank you, CMC family, for trusting me with this incredible journey. Together, we’ve built something lasting and meaningful. I love you all—and I can’t wait to see how our next generation of leaders continues this beautiful work.
With love, pride, and solidarity,
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Dr. Ma Bernadette Andres-Salgarino, NBCT
President, California Mathematics Council