Caren Sorrells
In 2014, TCTM is pleased to honor Caren Sorrells for her leadership across the state of Texas.
Caren Sorrells is an independent mathematics consultant, recently retired from Birdville ISD where she served as the Mathematics Coordinator. Caren’s 38 years of experience spanned classroom experience in grades 3-12 as well as K-12 experience as a district mathematics coordinator for both Keller ISD and Birdville ISD.
She began her journey in education in Florida where she taught elementary through high school mathematics. She was involved at all of the campuses in which she was privileged to be a staff member. She was Student Council sponsor, Key Club sponsor and Math Team Coach as well as balancing her career by raising two sons and being active at her church.
Caren and her husband Rick moved to Michigan due to a transfer in Rick’s job. Caren had the opportunity to teach students from a different perspective – that of a substitute teacher. It was a year of many new experiences. Before arriving in Dallas, Caren taught 6th grade students in Michigan.
As a Texas public school teacher Caren taught in Dallas ISD, Garland ISD and Keller ISD where she also became the first mathematics Coordinator for the Keller district. For the 3 years Caren served as the Keller ISD Math Coordinator she paved the road for professional learning for teachers as well as being part of a collaborative of districts to provide summer staff development of researched based strategies in the math content.
Caren moved to Birdville ISD in 1999 where she served as the K-12 and then the K-5 Mathematics Coordinator for 15 years. She became a TexTEAMS (Texas Teachers Empowered for Achievement in Math and Science) trainer for the elementary and middle school professional development trainings as well as several of the high school professional development trainings.
She facilitated the Dallas-Ft. Worth area supervisors McMath meetings for several years as she served as the Treasurer for the Texas Association of Supervisors of Mathematics (TASM) from 2002-2004. Caren was elected as President to TASM for a 2-year term from 2009-2013. During this term of office Caren was privileged to lead the state mathematical leaders through an arduous process of writing, editing and adopting the 2012 TEKS. She was able, with assistance from expert TASM mathematics leaders, to testify and then work with the SBOE in revising and adopting the 2012 TEKS.
In 2012 Caren was awarded the Tommy Eads-TASM Leadership Award.
Caren received her Bachelors in elementary education from Florida State University and gained her Master’s degree in Educational Management from The University of North Texas. She continues her mathematics journey as she consults with districts to give support in curriculum and instruction.