Meet Dr. Shelbi Cole, Managing Director of Mathematics

As states across the country revisit their math standards, one big question looms: how do we prepare students for a world where technology and data shape nearly every decision?

Dr. Shelbi Cole, Managing Director of Mathematics at Leading Educators, believes the answer starts with modernizing math—not by throwing out the fundamentals, but by connecting them to the realities of today’s learners and tools. A veteran of the Connecticut State Department of Education, Smarter Balanced, and Student Achievement Partners, Cole has spent her career helping systems bring coherence and excellence to math instruction.

She shares what it means to modernize and humanize math, where states are heading, and how districts can set up the conditions for success.

Modernizing Math: More Than New Standards

People used to say math doesn’t change. That’s just not true anymore.”

Cole sees “modernizing math” as a response to rapid technological and cultural change. “As tools like generative AI become part of everyday problem-solving, students have to learn to critique not just their peers’ reasoning, but also what the technology produces,” she explains.

That shift, she says, mirrors earlier moments in education—like when spell check appeared and people feared students would stop learning to spell. “These tools don’t replace thinking; they require new kinds of thinking,” Cole says. “The question is how to integrate them thoughtfully into our systems so students become discerning, adaptable problem solvers.”

Why Implementation Is the Real Frontier

The biggest opportunity to help students thrive is in supporting implementation.”

Despite widespread adoption of high-quality instructional materials (HQIM), Cole believes the real work begins after adoption. “Curriculum changes aren’t going to revolutionize learning on their own,” she says. “The real leverage is in helping teachers implement great materials well—creating systems that make that possible.”

That’s where she sees Leading Educators’ strength. “Our organization is uniquely positioned to improve how districts implement math curricula and establish routines that create momentum over time. We have research-backed practices, a deep understanding of what works and what can flex in context, and teams ready to help schools take effective methods to scale.”

States Are Moving Fast—Sometimes Too Fast

Cole has watched state-level reforms for over a decade, from the rollout of the Common Core to today’s moves toward streamlined, future-focused standards. “By the time new standards reach classrooms and materials, a new revision cycle has started,” she notes. “It’s hard for systems to catch up.”

Still, she sees progress. “K-5 math has been remarkably stable and internationally benchmarked,” Cole says. “But at the high-school level, we’re seeing big shifts. States like Oregon and Indiana have reduced the number of standards by as much as 50 percent. They’re acknowledging that students need depth, not breadth—and that data literacy, financial reasoning, and AI foundations matter more than ever.”

The Opportunity Imperative: Humanizing Math

You can’t modernize math without also humanizing it.”

Beyond content updates, Cole argues, math must also evolve in culture and identity. “Math has a long history of being seen as a right-or-wrong discipline, where only some students feel they belong,” she says. “Modernizing math means designing learning spaces where every student can see themselves as capable, curious thinkers.”

That means rethinking participation, discourse, and assessment—creating classrooms where reasoning, collaboration, and persistence are as valued as getting the correct answer.

Looking Ahead: Making Impact Visible

We already have powerful evidence of impact—now it’s about making it visible.”

In her first year, Cole’s focus is both internal and outward-facing. “I want to help Leading Educators better organize and communicate the impact of our math work,” she says. “We have incredible studies showing results for students, and it’s time to make sure those stories educate and galvanize the field.”

She’s particularly excited about advancing access to Algebra I. “If we get this right, Algebra I can become a launchpad, not a barrier.”

Get support

At Leading Educators, we’re partnering with districts to modernize and humanize math—helping educators design learning that prepares students for the future and honors who they are today.

👉 Learn more about opportunities for partnership.