Dr. Kayla Blankenship is a fifth grade mathematics and science teacher at Riverside Elementary School. She has been teaching for 13 years and was named Riverside’s Teacher of the Year for 2024-25. Her dissertation, entitled Mindful Approaches, Transforming Hearts: Cultivating Elementary Students’ Positive Mathematics Identity Development Through an Equity-Based Morning Mathematics Club, examined how third through fifth grade students’ mathematics identities developed through a strengths-based mathematics club focused on equitable teaching practices. Prior to earning her doctorate degree, Dr. Blankenship earned her master’s degree in K-8 Mathematics and Science Education from the University of Central Florida and her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, from Point University. Dr. Blankenship has worked as a “Math Lab” teacher and a mathematics interventionist for students in grades K-5. She has also taught third through fifth grade, all subjects. Some of Dr. Blankenship’s professional experiences include teaching at a project-based learning school, co-teaching with an ESE teacher, being a teacher leader in mathematics in her school sites and collaborating with the school district on a pilot of The Fact Tactics™ Fluency Program. She is passionate about teaching the whole child and fostering a positive mathematics identity in her students. What Dr. Blankenship finds most exciting about being a Noyce Fellow is the opportunity to not only improve her own mathematics instruction, but to make an impact in her school and district so that each and every child receives high-quality mathematics learning experiences.