Virginia Council for Mathematics Supervision

President Elect - Jen Fessenden

Jen has more than 18 years of experience in education, having worked as an elementary teacher, a building level mathematics specialist, a division-wide professional learning facilitator and a curriculum writer. Jen currently serves as the PreK-12 Mathematics Coordinator for Falls Church City Public Schools, an International Baccalaureate Continuum Division.

Jen currently serves as the secretary on the board for the Virginia Council for Mathematics Supervision, is the co-lead for the Math Forward content for first and second grades, has been a member of numerous committees for the Virginia Department of Education and has facilitated several VDOE institutes throughout the state.

Jen is passionate about providing rigorous mathematics learning experiences for all students, engaging students in mathematics discourse and thinking tasks and providing just-in-time scaffolds and differentiation. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, traveling and spending time with her husband and daughter.

Secretary - Elizabeth Susko

Elizabeth has 10 years of experience in education, having worked as a secondary mathematics teacher and department chair.  She earned her MEd Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia in 2021.  Elizabeth currently serves as the 7-12 Mathematics Coordinator for Manassas City Public Schools. 

Elizabeth currently serves as the Region IV VCMS representative and co-lead for the Region IV Math Consortium. She has also been a member of numerous committees for the Virginia Department of Education and has facilitated VDOE institutes for the state.

Elizabeth is passionate about making a meaningful impact in the field of mathematics education.  In her spare time, she enjoys working out, spending time with friends and family, and searching for a four-legged dog friend.

Treasurer - Kim Bender

Kim has been an educator for 32 years, focusing on elementary mathematics instruction in Chesterfield County Public Schools for the past 22 years.  She has served as a classroom teacher, Title 1 Mathematics teacher, and division Mathematics Coach. She is currently serving as an Instructional Designer for Chesterfield. 

Kim is involved in the mathematics community at the local, state, and national level.  In addition, Kim has been a facilitator for VDOE SOL Institutes and has served on several VDOE committees.

Kim is passionate about increasing student understanding through classroom discourse, thinking tasks, and increased student engagement. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, swimming, and spending time with her husband and daughters.

Member At Large - Brian Nussbaum


Brian has been a mathematics educator for over a quarter of a century!  He has taught grades six through graduate-level courses in six different divisions or institutions.

In his current role as a mathematics coordinator for Harrisonburg City Public Schools, he strives to help others find curiosity through the joy and beauty in mathematics.

A few strong beliefs that drive Brian’s work include:

  • Mathematics ≠ Arithmetic

  • Telling isn’t teaching.

  • Mathematics has more to do with finding patterns, problem solving, and communication than it has to do with numbers.

  • We don’t teach mathematics…we teach students.

  • Individual skills and standards matter far less than conceptual understanding.

  • Experiences matter– experiences of inclusion, success, building connections, and learning should be our primary WHY for everything we do.


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