Leslie Hughes, NBCT is a math specialist with the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI), a section of the Alabama State Department of Education. In her role, she develops professional learning opportunities and supports math coaching and learning for elementary teachers across the state. Prior to this work, she has been an AMSTI regional math specialist with Athens State University and an elementary teacher (first and third grades) in Pell City, Alabama. She is a National Board Certified Teacher (2018, 2022) and supports other teachers as they pursue this prestigious certification. Leslie believes in the power of conceptual understanding, enjoys pointing out the math in every-day situations in all walks of life, and believes that everyone is a math person! She enjoys camping in her vintage Shasta camper, playing with her dog Roseanna, kitten Toby, and albino hedgehog Gladys, and collecting houseplants.