Math for America Los Angeles Names Co-Founder Dr. Darryl Yong as Executive Director to Lead Next Phase of Growth and Research Impact

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Math for America Los Angeles (MƒA LA) today announced the appointment of Dr. Darryl Yong as Executive Director. Yong, who co-founded MƒA LA and has served as a central pillar of its leadership since its inception, will guide the organization as it expands its fellowship program and deepens its longitudinal research footprint across Southern California.

Founded in 2008 through a partnership between Claremont Graduate University, Harvey Mudd College, and the University of Southern California, MƒA LA addresses systemic challenges in urban STEM education by investing directly in experienced math and computer science teachers. Under Yong's leadership, the organization is advancing an ambitious strategic plan to grow its school-based team model in public schools across the greater Los Angeles region while building research infrastructure to inform broader public education policy.

"Math for America Los Angeles was created on the conviction that excellent teachers are the catalytic lever for systemic educational change," said Yong. "When we surround accomplished educators with deep professional community, collaborative planning time, financial support, and coaching, they stay in the classroom and become department leaders who elevate learning for thousands of students. I am honored to lead MƒA LA in this next chapter as we scale our team-based fellowship model across the greater Los Angeles region."

Yong brings a rare combination of academic rigor, fundraising success, and direct classroom experience to the position. He holds the McGregor-Girand Chair in STEM Equity Innovation and Research at Harvey Mudd College, where he is a Professor of Mathematics. As the lead author on five National Science Foundation (NSF) grants totaling $17 million for MƒA LA, Yong has played an instrumental role in building and funding the organization's peer-driven professional development model. Demonstrating his personal commitment to the profession, Yong spent a year-long sabbatical teaching high school mathematics alongside MƒA LA Fellows to gain firsthand insight into modern classroom dynamics.

Yong succeeds and builds upon the foundational leadership of co-founder Pam Mason, a 2002 Presidential Awardee for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, whose dedicated efforts established MƒA LA's core community and collaborative values.

Over its nearly 20-year history, under Mason's and Yong's leadership, MƒA LA has supported hundreds of teacher fellows across nearly 40 public schools in the region. By requiring educators to apply in school-based teams rather than as isolated individuals, the fellowship ensures that instructional expertise, National Board Certification prestige, and advanced STEM curriculum stay embedded within school departments.

"Darryl Yong's deep commitment to teacher leadership and educational equity makes him the ideal leader to guide MƒA LA into the future," said Aaron Sosnick, MƒA LA Advisory Board Member. "His vision will ensure that more Los Angeles public school teachers receive the recognition, respect, and sustained investment they deserve."

To learn more about Math for America Los Angeles, its leadership team, or its teacher fellowship programs, please visit mfala.org.

About Math for America Los Angeles

Math for America Los Angeles (MƒA LA) supports, develops, and sustains exceptional mathematics and computer science teachers in public schools across the greater Los Angeles area. Through annual stipends, content-rich professional development, instructional coaching, and a collaborative school-based team model, MƒA LA equips accomplished educators to thrive, remain in the classroom, and lead systemic change within their schools.

Contact:
Mary Jane Stevenson
Senior Advisor
Math for America Los Angeles
[email protected]
310-463-8713
Mfala.org

SOURCE Math for America Los Angeles