Ryan A. Nivens is a Professor of Mathematics Education and is extensively involved in undergraduate and graduate STEM education. He began as an eighth grade mathematics teacher and then moved to teaching high school. During this time, he became a consultant for the State of Missouri Mathematics Academy where he worked with some of the best mathematics teachers in the world! After that, he started his new career as a professor at East Tennessee State University where he is an instructor in Eastman’s Scholar MathElites Program. Additionally, he has acquired funding for many STEM grants to help support teachers and their students. He has twice served as president of the Upper East Tennessee Council of Teachers of Mathematics and has published several articles on innovative ways to teach mathematics. He edits the nationally award winning Upper East TN Council of Teachers of Mathematics Newsletter where he shares the writings of over 600 northeast Tennessee mathematics teachers. He holds a B.S. in mathematics and minor in computer science from Evangel College, an M.Ed in education from Drury University, and a Ph.D in mathematics education from the University of Missouri – Columbia. Ryan and his wife of over 20 years enjoy living with their seven children in the Appalachian Mountains where the trees are green, the trails are long, and the water is pure. They enjoy trips to the beach, Dollywood, and parks. You can find Ryan splitting firewood, and reading the word of God.