I have been a mathematics instructional coach for 15 years. Prior to that I was a secondary mathematics teacher for 20 years. (Yes…I’m old.) For most of my career I have observed the importance of teachers knowing…really, really knowing…the math they teach. I’m not talking knowing the math well enough to get the answer, but […]
This is a photo of Dave and me standing on a balcony with a glass floor…103 floors above a crowded street in Chicago. What does this have to do with professional development? Read on. Changing how we teach is one of the most significant challenges in education. For decades, we have followed a standard script […]
Hey folks! Howie Hua will be sharing his amazing wisdom with us on January 15, 2026 from 4pm – 5pm Pacific time. Join us for this FREE webinar! Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdS9jltcD1_rBfSAtMj7cnCvtbViZ08supxQCqTl_iNZdO8KA/viewform
Title: Bridging Language and Mathematics: Best Practices or Multilingual Learners Description: Mathematics is linguistically demanding and deeply connected to language, making intentional support essential for multilingual learners. REGISTER HERE
Take a moment to read this article. It wonderfully explains why districts continue to adopt mediocre math products that produce lackluster results. Let’s vow to break this cycle!
The other day I received a text from a school district I serve. It read, “On a scale of 1-10, how important is math fact fluency?” My answer: 11 In a follow-up text, they asked for my thoughts on fluency instruction, fluency practice, and whether there are any online apps to support the development of […]
As a math coach for the past 12 years or so, I notice a lot of students in 3rd and 4th grade you are still using their fingers to add two single-digit numbers together. Using fingers to “count on” an addition fact 7+ 5 for example, is perfectly fine in kindergarten or 1st grade, but […]
Choosing the right math textbook is a critical decision for California educators. While the state’s approved list provides a starting point, it’s essential to remember that being on the list doesn’t guarantee quality. In fact, many approved textbooks simply meet the bare minimum requirements. To truly empower students with effective math education, districts must look beyond the […]
This month, as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s important to recognize the incredible contributions of Hispanic mathematicians throughout history. From Albert Baez’s groundbreaking work in X-ray microscopy, where younger students can explore the world of shapes, to Alicia Prieto-Langarica’s research on using math to understand biological systems, which can help older students study the […]
A fundamental goal of mathematics education is to develop students’ ability to engage in mathematical problem solving. Despite our textbooks supposedly including problems labeled as “problem solving”, many teachers are uncertain how to establish a classroom environment in which students’ natural problem solving inclinations can occur. There is consensus in the mathematics education community that […]