Before bringing his mathematical insights to IM, Phil was a lead writer for Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. His educational background includes being Director of Mathematics for the Strategic Education Research Partnership (SERP) and the design lead for a tablet-based K–12 mathematics curriculum to be published by Pearson. He won the 2012 Walter Denham Award and 2014 Ross Taylor/Glenn Gilbert National Leadership Award. Currently, Phil serves on the Board of SERP and of Shell Centre Publications at the University of Nottingham, is a Member of the NAEP Validity Studies Panel, and is on the Advisory Board for the Algebra for All initiative in NYC schools.