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Welcome Back to School!
Many educators and students are heading back to school this week. As educators we want every classroom to become powerful spaces for students to learn mathematics and to become doers and sense-makers. We also want to support families in understanding how math classrooms are changing and how we interact with kids and why. So what does math instruction look like in these classrooms? Listen to this Kids Math Talk podcast episode and an interview with DeAnn Huinker, a professor of mathematics education at UW Milwaukee, a former National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) board member, and a writer for several instrumental NCTM publications. Dr. Huinker shares an overview of the Mathematics Teaching Framework as a vision of what needs to happen on nearly a daily basis in classrooms. You’ll also hear where a new teacher might start and advice for educators and parents. Hoping this is a super successful school year for all!
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Designing Learning Environments to Build Strong Math Identities - Part 2
Creating environments where all students learn math at high levels is what our WI Vision for Mathematics calls for and also supports learning aligned with the WI Shift of Identity. While curriculum and lesson plans may often get most of our precious teacher time and attention, context is critical too. Watch Leisl McConchie's Video Series - Part 2 to learn about the 7 questions that determine who will learn in your classroom, how each question shifts your students’ brain, and specific tools to get students answering YES, so they can all learn at high levels. Also, download Leisl’s companion book All Students Can Learn Math for free!
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Many Thanks to WI Math Educators!
Thank you to all of the mathematics teachers from across Wisconsin who provided feedback during the annual Forward Exam New Item Review recently held in Madison. Educators spent four days getting to know the process for Math Forward item creation from writing an item, to its inclusion on the test, to how it is scored. After the early August convening, participants are taking their new learning back to their local districts. Mathematics educators came from the following communities: Beloit, Black River Falls, Brown Deer, Eau Claire, Hillsboro, Luxemburg-Casco, Madison, Milwaukee, Oregon, Portage, Racine, Rice Lake, Stevens Point, Superior, Wausau, and West De Pere. Consider applying to participate in next year’s review! Watch this newsletter for an application to be available this spring for summer 2026 in-person dates.
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DPI Reorganization
While from an external view, there may appear to be little difference in how the WI Department of Public Instruction (DPI) works to advance student success in mathematics education and the mathematics website remains the same at https://dpi.wi.gov/math, there have been some recent internal organizational changes. As of July 28th, Mathematics Consultants, Mary Mooney and Julie Bormett, are now staff members in the PK-12 Standards and Instruction Section of DPI along with many other topic or content area consultants such as multilingual learners, science, social studies, arts & creativity, computer science, and digital literacy. This close proximity with a variety of other consultants provides more regular opportunities for cross-collaboration in our daily work. Check out https://dpi.wi.gov/strategic-plan/reorganization for more information about this DPI initiative, including a one page resource.
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September 15, 2025
Just Equations: Math as a Barrier & Opportunity for STEM
Completing math requirements can be the biggest academic barrier to success for STEM students, especially those seeking a path from community college to careers in STEM. According to a recent report by Just Equations, only two percent of community college students earn a STEM degree in six years. Register for an hour-long session on September 15th in which educational leaders and experts will share research and experiences on this pressing issue in math education and explore the role that faculty, administrators, and policymakers can play in improving the path to STEM degrees and careers.
October 11, 2025
Math in the Forest for High School Math Teachers
Join UW Stevens Point’s K-12 Forestry Education Program for a hands-on workshop that focuses on outdoor applications of algebra, geometry and trigonometry. In addition to inspiring ideas, you'll also get mathematics-related lesson materials to take back to your classroom. Participants will use geometry to understand the mathematics behind making and using a Biltmore stick to measure tree diameter, and will make their own Biltmore stick and use it to collect data in the forest. Other topics will include basal area per acre, wildlife population estimates, and land measurement. Register at leafprogram.org/math25.
October 22, 2025
Fluency Doesn't Just Happen Virtual Series
The Wisconsin Mathematics Council (WMC) with Ann Elise Record is excited to bring five virtual sessions focused on developing fluency through meaningful strategies and number relationships. All sessions will focus on the development of thinking from counting to additive and multiplicative reasoning as well as daily routines, games, and activities that can be implemented right away in your classroom.
November 1, 2025
College Readiness in Math Symposium from PLACE, UW-Madison
This virtual event brings together high school and college math educators, admissions personnel, and student support specialists to:
- Collaborate on innovative approaches to high school mathematics
- Support diverse student pathways to post-secondary success
- Explore common challenges
- Share best practices
December 11, 2025
Unbound2025 - a FREE Full-Day Virtual Conference
Are you committed to addressing the predictability of student outcomes? Unbound2025 is focused on one goal: making education work for everyone through evidence-informed, impact-grounded practices that deliver real results for all learners. This virtual conference takes place on December 11. If you can’t tune in that day, register to receive recordings from the event. Register now at https://unbounded.org/events/!
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