Institutes
2nd Annual Mathematics Specialist Institute
George Mason University
Science and Technology Campus (Manassas, VA)
March 14, 2015
Attendance: 54
George Mason University (GMU) welcomed 54 mathematics coaches, specialists, resource teachers and teacher leaders from 22 different Virginia school divisions for a day of professional development and networking. Dr. Toya Frank of George Mason University presented the keynote address about the responsibilities of mathematics specialist in promoting equity and excellence. Participants selected two of four interactive sessions focusing on using rich tasks and examining student work in Collaborative Learning Teams (CLT), supporting teacher development in goal setting for student reasoning and problem solving, adapting coaching roles to meet needs of stakeholders, and promoting teacher listening and interpretation of student thinking. Attendees appreciated the opportunity to share ideas with colleagues and to learn research-based strategies to take back to their communities.
Middle School Math Specialists Leadership Conference
Charlottesville, VA
June 29-30, 2015
Attendance: 40
Thirty participants in NSF Mathematics Specialist Grant project, cohorts 1 and 2, attended a two-day conference on June 29-30 in Charlottesville, VA. The purpose of the conference was to provide a culminating experience for the participants and ten of the course instructors who had the opportunity to learn and grow together through shared experiences during the grant project. The participants, as well as the University faculty, strengthened their professional networks by doing mathematics together, discussing the challenges and successes in providing school-based leadership in mathematics, and becoming knowledgeable about using the new NCTM publication, Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematics Success for All as a tool for professional development.