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An Inclusive Vision of Mathematics
Whether you have read Mathematics for Human Flourishing by Francis Su and dug into how math meets basic human desires like, play, beauty, and justice, have checked out some of the amazing 2025 Mathical award-winning books, or have enjoyed a recent fun family game night, one can’t help but see mathematics connected to every aspect of our lives. Watch for a thread of articles in upcoming editions of Math Ed Matters as we dive into the importance of mathematics as an integrated subject.
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Math is the Hero
Check out Illustrating the Impact of the Mathematical Sciences for many amazing math connections. The National Academies of Sciences says it all with this fun and informative comic book-like visual that reminds us why mathematics truly is the hero as it predicts, invents, understands, diagnoses, heals, speaks, protects, and delivers! What conversations might this spark?
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New WISELearn Fraction Resources
More than one dozen new WI educator created resources have recently been added to the WISELearn Fractions Group.
A cohort of WI elementary educators participated in Mathematical Sensemaking: Fractions, a five part DPI learning series ending in May 2025. More than 60% of participants shared that their local instructional materials were in strong or very strong alignment with the grade three and four fraction domains of WI Standards for Mathematics. Even so, almost 90% of participants shared that it was likely or very likely that their school or district will need to use at least a few supplements in order for students to fully engage in learning connected to related denominators in fourth grade as the standards now recommend.
Find teacher and student supports for helpful fraction language, the use of visual fraction models, and the teaching and learning of fractions as numbers, including related denominators now as part of M.4.NF.B.3c and M.4.NF.B.3d.
Join the WISELearn Fractions Group and stay connected to current and future conversations!
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WI PAEMST Finalist Reception
Three secondary mathematics teachers were honored as Wisconsin finalists for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) Saturday May 17 in the Wisconsin Dells. The finalists are Stacy Lesmeister of the School District of Cedarburg, Kelsey Rider from the Solon Springs School District, and Erin Treder from the School District of Belleville. This award comes from the White House and is run by the National Science Foundation. It is the nation's highest honor for teachers of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (including computer science). Visit the DPI Math Website to meet the finalists.
The applications included letters of recommendation, a video of their instruction, 10+ pages of narrative on their instruction and leadership, and supplemental materials such as lesson plans and student work. Learn more about PAEMST.
Dr. Pamela Harris, UW Milwaukee Professor of Mathematics, gave a keynote that pointed to her own story of how teachers were "directional forces" that saw her mathematical curiosities as strengths that ultimately played a pivotal role in becoming a mathematician. The audience also engaged in a parking function exploration presented as a low floor, high ceiling task. With this simple function of choosing parking spots we all learned something about her area of interest, combinatorics, an area of mathematics primarily concerned with counting.
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Extending Our Newsletter Community
Since the first edition of Math Ed Matters on April 1st, the number of subscribers for this newsletter has increased by more than 30%! Way to self-subscribe, WI!
While that is wonderful progress, we have a long way to go in ensuring that we are an inclusive and well-connected mathematics community.
This month let’s focus on expanding our elementary math teacher reach! Student success in mathematics is strongly connected to student success in those early foundational years. Share the self-subscribe link with some amazing early childhood and elementary math teachers you know!
Elementary teachers are absolutely teachers of mathematics!
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Please Share Your Thoughts
The Wisconsin Mathematics Alignment Taskforce is requesting your feedback on a possible College Readiness in Math PD event this coming fall. Please complete this google form to learn more about your availability and interest.
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Two Advanced Degree Programs
UW–Stout’s fully online Math Specialist Certificate helps PK–12 teachers become skilled interventionists, coaches, or department leaders. Designed for early childhood through high school educators, you can start in summer and finish by December or follow a flexible schedule. Gain research-based strategies, explore leadership, and connect with peers statewide and beyond. No live sessions—complete coursework when it works for you. Whether you're specializing or preparing for grad school, this program fits your goals.
Click on the program details to learn more and see how to get started.
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UWRF's Master of Science in Education in Mathematics is a graduate program designed for secondary-level mathematics teachers with at least one year of teaching experience. Complete your degree in three years while learning best teaching practices with an emphasis on pedagogical content knowledge and the innovative use of emerging technologies. All courses are taught synchronously online, allowing you to engage in real-time with instructors and peers from anywhere. By completing the program or taking 18+ math credits with a master's degree you can teach transcripted math courses through UW-River Falls or other institutions. We are offering Calculus for Educators (starts June 16th) and Linear & Abstract Algebra for Educators (starts July 14th) this summer.
For more information go to the UWRF website or contact Erick.B.Hofacker@uwrf.edu.
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