About Us

Progressions Math

As lifelong Texas math educators, we set out to create an innovative curriculum that builds a strong foundation in mathematics, preparing students for future success. This curriculum was developed in collaboration with math teachers to ensure it is both practical and effective in meeting the needs of both educators and students. We are passionate about Progressions by Alba Math and are excited to share it with you!

Progressions by Alba Math is fully aligned to the TEKS and ELPS, available in both English and Spanish to meet the needs of every learner. Progressions gives teachers everything they need to help students thrive.

Shannon Alba

Hi! I’m Shannon. My journey in education began at the University of Houston, where I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics education with an emphasis on curriculum and instruction. That academic foundation sparked my love for helping students and teachers make sense of math in meaningful, joyful ways.

I started my career as a math teacher and instructional coach, and the more classrooms I supported, the more I realized how deeply I wanted to reach students beyond my own campus. That led me to Region 4, where I served as a mathematics specialist and strengthened my commitment to high-quality math instruction.

In 2015, my second son, Max, was born, and my oldest son, Sam, started Kindergarten. I stayed home for three months before my passion for supporting educators pulled me back in. What began as a small “hobby” quickly grew into meaningful work with campuses and districts across the country.

In 2020, we began writing Progressions by Alba Math after seeing a clear need for high-quality, fun, and engaging math resources for our youngest learners. That work has become the heartbeat of everything we do.

At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief: math should be joyful, hands-on, and built through collaboration and curiosity.

Claire Skelly

Hi! I’m Claire. I earned my B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University and my M.S. in Elementary Education with a focus on Mathematics from Stephen F. Austin State University. Before becoming a consultant, I spent more than a decade in the classroom and several years as a math coach, developing inquiry-based mathematics curriculum, modeling lessons, and providing ongoing professional development to teachers. I also served as Head of School for St. James Episcopal Day School in Conroe, Texas.

For the past five years, I’ve worked as a mathematics consultant with Alba Math, partnering with teachers and campuses across the state and country to grow instructional capacity and positively impact student performance. In 2020, I began co-authoring Progressions by Alba Math, a hands-on, concept-first mathematics curriculum designed to build strong early math foundations. In my work on Progressions, I focused on creating lessons and learning experiences that build deep, transferable number sense while giving teachers clear, practical pathways to support young mathematicians.

The IMRA process was enacted under House Bill (HB) 1605 and brings new components to a single, State Board of Education (SBOE)-governed review of instructional materials. IMRA outlines how instructional materials will be reviewed, with the SBOE having final authority on the process, criteria used, and approvals.

Instructional materials submitted in the IMRA process are reviewed for Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) alignment, factual errors, suitability, quality, physical/electronic specifications, and parent-portal compliance.