Laura Masterson

I have been a mathematics educator with Hanover School Division since 2006, filling both teaching and numeracy support positions. Stemming from my Masters research on using Growth Mindset with underachieving math learners (2020), I developed and taught a Grade 9 math intervention course at Steinbach Regional Secondary School designed to build skills and confidence for students struggling to meet curricular outcomes. More recently I have moved into a divisional student services math specialist role, and provide consultation, screening, and direct intervention for students with math specific learning disabilities.

I've focused my professional development around math curriculum and conceptual trajectories, the neuroscience of learning math, misconceptions, learning disabilities, and growth mindset barriers and solutions in math teaching and learning. I live in southeast Manitoba with my husband, our three kids, and our giant Bernedoodle, Reuben.

Presentations

Lead Presenter: Manitoba Association of Mathematics Teachers, Understanding Math Specific Learning Disabilities, Manitoba Teachers’ Society Professional Development, Manitoba, October, 2024.

Workshop Facilitator: Hanover School Division, How We Learn Math, Hanover Teachers Association PD. February, 2024.

Workshop Facilitator: Hanover School Division Education Assistants PD Day, Why Don't They Get It? Math and the Brain. March, 2023.

Workshop Facilitator: Manitoba Association of Mathematics Teachers, Using Asset-Based Assessment to Support Math Learning for All Students: Two Part Series. December, 2022 and February, 2023.

Workshop Facilitator: Hanover School Division Education Assistants PD Day, Math and Mindset. November, 2022.

Guest Lecturer: University of Manitoba, Research Strategies: Methodology and Assessment-Related Findings. Graduate Studies Course: Assessment, June, 2022.

Featured Speaker: Ottawa Zone for Mathematics Education, Growth Mindset and Math Classrooms: Expectations vs Reality, O34ME Spring Virtual Mini-Conference, April, 2022.

Lead Presenter: Manitoba Association of Mathematics Teachers, Developing Growth Mindset and Positive Math Identities for Grade 9 Learners Experiencing Difficulty, Manitoba Teachers’ Society Professional Development, Manitoba, October, 2021.

Guest Lecturer: University of Manitoba, Growth Mindset and Productive Struggle. Post-Baccalaureate course: Procedural Fluency, Conceptual Understanding, and Productive Struggle in K-12 Mathematics, August, 2021.

Assistant Presenter: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Making Mathematical Connections Visible Through Problem Solving and Dialogue, NCTM Research Conference, San Diego, CA, April, 2019.

Publications

Masterson, L. & Koch, M. J. (2021). Obstacles to promoting growth mindset in a streamed mathematics course: “It’s like confirming they can’t make the cut.” Investigations in Mathematics Learning, 13(3), 167-181, DOI: 10.1080/19477503.2021.1913382

Koch, M.J., Suurtamm, C., Lazarus, J. & Masterson, L. (2018). Making connections: Launching a co-created digital mathematics curriculum network. In H. Weigand et al (Eds.), Proceedings of the 5th European Society for Research in Mathematics Education Topic Conference Mathematics Education in the Digital Age (pp. 147-154). University of Copenhagen.

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