AIMS is a non-profit organization that supports playful, imaginative, creative, human-centered, and socially-informed approaches to teaching and learning mathematics and science, and policies and practices that are culturally-relevant and transformative for our Central Valley.
We are committed to the inclusion of all people as important contributors, vital participants, and capable learners of mathematics and science.
We celebrate all people as beautiful and complex beings through relationships, building trust and understanding, and empathy.
We are committed to creating a community of learners equipped with knowledge that gives them a voice in the shaping of their world.
We embrace new opportunities, imagine possibilities, and leverage creativity for transformed educational systems.
We work to create collaborative environments where trust, teamwork, and partnerships thrive.
We are committed to promoting diversity and ensuring that every voice is welcomed, heard, and valued.
Executive Director
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, PK-12
Early Learning Coordinator
PK-12 COORDINATOR
Communications & Design Coordinator
Program Assistant
STEAM Learning Specialist
Associate Director, Higher Education
IT Manager
Operations Coordinator
ProJECT MANAGER
pk-12 coordinator
pk-12 Coordinator
joe hernandez
president
Superintendent, Dinuba Unified School District
Jon hillen
vice-president & treasurer
Financial Advisor
MANJULA JOSEPH
trustee
Associate Professor, Fresno Pacific University
Wilbert reimer
secretary
Professor Emeritus, Fresno Pacific University
Richard Thiessen
PH.D
Richard was professor emeritus at Fresno Pacific University, where he served as Director of the Graduate Math/Science Education Program for many years. During that time he was the PI and Co-PI for Eisenhower and NSF grants, respectively. One of Richard’s passions was teaching and exploring geometry, especially three-dimensional geometry. A second passion not unrelated to the first was mechanical puzzles and in particular, three-dimensional puzzles that help students make concrete connections to geometric concepts and relationships. Dr. Thiessen received a Bachelors degree in mathematics from Friends University, a Masters in mathematics, and Ph.D. in mathematics/mathematics education from the University of Oklahoma.
Judith Hillen
ED.D
Dr. Judith Hillen served the AIMS Education Foundation for 22 years. She held the position of Program Director from 1984 through 2003. Through the years she was a Research and Development Fellow – a Mathematics Curriculum Writer, Director of the AIMS National Leadership Institute and Training Program, and Director of Corporate Partnerships (Amoco, BP America, and Motorola). Dr. Hillen has served K-12 education as a classroom teacher in Fresno, Oakdale, Klamath Falls, and Glendale. She retired from Fresno Pacific University in 2002 as Professor of Mathematics and Science Education. While at FPU, she worked with multiple local districts through grants and partnerships. Most recently, she served as a school board trustee for Coast Unified School District in Cambria, California.
Aims Center for Math and Science Education
