Meet the Team

CEO - CHRIS MATTHEWS

Professor Chris Matthews is from the Quandamooka people of Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island) in Queensland, Australia. Chris received a PhD in applied mathematics from Griffith University and was a Senior Lecturer in applied mathematics at the Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University. Over the last ten years, Chris developed a deeper interest in mathematics education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners and exploring the connections between mathematics and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge.

Finance and membership manager - Louise mcgeorge

Louise can be contacted on louisemcgeorge@atsima.org. Louise joined ATSIMA in May 2023 in a part time capacity, currently managing the financial needs and membership management for ATSIMA. Louise has spent the past 10 years working in finance. Louise worked 3 years at The Mathematics Association of SA (MASA) as the Office and Finance Manager in 2013-2016. Louise currently has her own a bookkeeping business and works from home. Louise lives on Kaurna country with her husband Simon and has three adult children.

BUSINESS MANAGER - MELINDA PEARSON

Melinda can be contacted on 0414 322 372 or melindapearson@atsima.org.

Melinda currently manages the day to day business of ATSIMA, Melinda joined ATSIMA in a full time capacity in 2018, however has been involved as a volunteer since 2015.

Melinda spent seven years at the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT) working with Prof. Chris Matthews and Dr Caty Morris on the Make it Count project: Maths and Indigenous Learners a Closing the Gap initiative.

Melinda lives on Kaurna country with her husband Leon, two young adults Brock and Liberty, her dog Bruce and three cats, Miss Candice, Sebastian and Betty!

CATY MORRIS

PROGRAM MANAGER - CATY MORRIS

Dr Caty Morris was the Curriculum Specialist, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education at ACARA. In 2017, she received a doctorate for her research in responsive mathematics pedagogy with Aboriginal learners. Her work in both mathematics education and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education has been at school, regional, state and national levels in various teaching and leadership positions from remote to inner city settings.

During 2009-2014, Caty managed a Closing the Gap project for the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT) to improve mathematics and numeracy learning outcomes of urban and regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in seven clusters of schools across Australia.