Phone: 512.843.6925
Email: paulatalley@austin.utexas.edu
Dana Center Role
Paula provides leadership and oversight of the professional learning tools, products, and services for the Dana Center Mathematics Pathways, a transformative redesign to modernize entry-level college mathematics programs, including co-requisite course structures, through working with states, systems, universities, and colleges. In this role, she develops tools and services that support local leaders and works with external organizations to coordinate and mobilize math pathways and guided pathways efforts. Paula also leads a team of experienced facilitators who serve as a field presence in the work of the Center to foster collaboration among various stakeholders at the state, system, region, and institution levels.
Before Joining the Dana Center
For 20 years, Paula served Temple College (Texas) as a mathematics professor, lead of the developmental mathematics department, and division director of student success. In the latter role, she directed a college division that included developmental education, adult education and literacy, English as a second language, tutoring services, and the TRIO program. Paula led the redesign of developmental education using the DCMP principles that increased student success including the implementation of mathematics and English co-requisite courses. As a mathematics professor, she taught various mathematics courses, including DCMP’s Foundations of Mathematical Reasoning, Statistical Reasoning, and Frameworks for Mathematics and Collegiate Learning.
Education
M.A., Mathematics Education, The University of Texas at Austin
B.A., Mathematics Education, The University of Texas at Austin
Selected Appointments
Leadership Coach, Achieving the Dream: Provide leadership to institutions to support a culture of inquiry and evidence, leading to whole-college reform and quality improvement. Work effectively and collaboratively with institutional stakeholders to bring transformative change at the institution. Reinforce the criticality of a culture of evidence at the core of student success. (2019–present)
Selected Presentations
Math and English and pathways–Oh my! Presented at Achieving the Dream’s annual conference, Nashville, TN (February 2020).
Differentiated instruction: Active formative assessment strategies that engage all students. Presented at the Texas Pathways Institute, San Antonio, TX (April 2019).
Empowering students through math pathways. Presented at Achieving the Dream’s annual conference, Nashville, TN (February 2018).
Entry-level mathematics: Essential milestones on the road to structured pathways. Presented at Achieving the Dream’s annual conference, Nashville, TN (February 2018).
Scaling effective strategies: Tradeoffs, challenges, and opportunities. Presented at Achieving the Dream’s annual conference, Nashville, TN (February 2018).
Pathways course development. Presented for First in the World Maryland Mathematics Reform Initiative, Baltimore, MD (June 2016).
Professional Memberships
American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges
Mathematical Association of America
Texas Community College Teachers Association
Texas Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges