A Tribute to Shelli: A Teacher Who Made Us All Better

Last week, the math education world lost a true light, my #MTBoS #iTeachMath #TMC friend and fellow statistics teacher, Shelli. Many of you may know her from her blog, Teaching Statistics, where she generously shared lessons, reflections, resources, and encouragement for over a decade. If you’ve ever taught AP Statistics, led a data talk, or explored a new classroom activity with excitement, chances are, Shelli had a hand in inspiring that work.

Shelli was more than a brilliant teacher; she was a mentor, a collaborator, and a quiet force who pushed others to grow. She helped me become a more creative and confident statistics teacher. Through her blog, her tweets, and countless conversations, Shelli constantly reminded me of the value of thinking deeply, reflecting often, and staying curious.

Some of my favorite memories with Shelli came from the virtual spaces she helped build, the book clubs, the math teacher meet-ups, and the blogging challenges. These gatherings were more than just professional development. They were communities of support, inspiration, and joy. Shelli had a way of bringing people together, making everyone feel welcome, and encouraging us to share our voices. Whether we were discussing a powerful idea from a book, reflecting on our classroom practice, or trying something new and a little scary, Shelli was always there, cheering us on and pushing us to grow.

What made Shelli so special wasn’t just her ability to explain complex topics in clear, engaging ways; it was the heart she brought to everything she did. She held me accountable to keep learning, and she always asked the kinds of questions that made me pause and grow. Whether she was designing a card sort, creating an engaging lesson around real data, or blogging about her classroom successes and challenges, Shelli’s love for teaching and her students always came through.

Shelli believed in the power of community. She shared not for recognition or praise, but because she truly wanted others to succeed. So many of us are better educators because of her generosity, her insight, and her unwavering belief that teaching is a craft worth improving every day.

In her honor, I want to commit to carrying on that spirit. Let’s keep sharing. Let’s keep creating. Let’s keep growing and, most of all, let’s keep supporting each other the way Shelli did so naturally.

Thank you, Shelli, for everything. Your legacy lives on in every statistics classroom you touched, and that’s a beautiful, lasting gift. #ForShelli

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