Media Center
Encouraging Mathematical Talk using "Linking" and "Press"
Dr. Melissa Boston
9-12
Getting students to "talk math" can be a challenge. In this session, we will explore how to get students talking more and more deeply about mathematical ideas using two specific talk moves: "linking" and "press." We will watch a video to identify how teachers used these moves to get students talking, create a plan for using linking and press to support students' discussion of a rich mathematical task, and engage in "acting out" our mathematical discussions.
Media Center
Interviewing 101
Leigh Nataro and Bob Lochel
Pre-Service Teachers
What are good questions to ask during an interview? What are some typical questions you might be asked? Come watch a mock interview and learn some great tips to secure your future teaching position.
Room 104
Math Exchange
Kelly Brent
All Grades
This session is time for educators to come together and address relevant issues, exchange teaching strategies, and explore topics of interest. This informal gathering offers a platform for teachers to engage in open dialogue, exchange ideas, and seek solutions to common challenges within the field. Whether discussing current concerns in curriculum development or innovative teaching methodologies, this collaborative environment encourages professional growth and fosters camaraderie among attendees.
Room 106
A Box of Tricks: Using the box method for multiplying and factoring
Dr. Deana Deichert
7-9
In this session, participants will discover how the box method for multiplication can be extended to apply, not only to the multiplication of multidigit numbers, but also to fractions and polynomial multiplication. From this we will explore the box method as a method for factoring and discuss the pros and cons of this method. Virtual and hand-on manipulatives will be used to develop these concepts.
Room 109
Get the FACTs: Formative Assessment Classroom Techniques
Chery Tobey, McGraw-Hill
All Grades
Formative assessment is essential, but what does it look like specifically in mathematics? This session explores practical, classroom-tested strategies for eliciting student thinking and using it to move math learning forward. Drawing on years of collaboration with educators, Cheryl and her colleagues have compiled over 125 mathematics-specific formative assessment techniques, including formative probes. In this session, she will share a range of effective techniques, some tried and true, others brand new, that teachers can use immediately to deepen understanding and guide instruction.
Room 111
Climate and Culture Matter: Building Positive Math Classrooms
Dr. Bonnie Jenkins
K-3
Create math environments where every K-3 student thrives! Explore classroom design principles, growth mindset practices, and research based strategies to reduce math anxiety and increase engagement!
Room 112
How Do We Privilege Student Thinking Through Questioning?
Dr. Ed Nolan
How can we prepare and use questions to encourage student thinking and improve student understanding? Teachers can use questions to honor and encourage student thinking and support students to do the sense making. Explore planning questions, anticipating responses, and developing the best teacher actions to engage students in success.
Media Center
PA Shift to Online Testing, Firefly, CDT
Dr. Megan Clementi, PDE
All Grades
All students will complete the PSSA and Keystone Exam summative assessments online beginning in spring, 2026. Dr. Clementi will present Online Tools Training in this special after hours session.
Media Center
Desmos on AP Exams
Leigh Nataro
10-12
The Desmos graphing calculator was made available for student use in the Bluebook testing platform for AP Precalculus and AP Calculus in 2025. Come see a demonstration of Bluebook and Desmos and explore topics for AP Precalculus. A laptop is recommended for this session.
Room 104
Convince Me That
Dan Kaufmann
All Grades
Boost Your Math Confidence with "Convince Me That!" This session flips the script on word problems. We'll start with the answer, empowering you to build a strong foundation in mathematical reasoning and problem-solving.
Room 106
Formative Assessment Techniques for Your Classroom
Marian Avery
All Grades
Utilizing formative assessment in the classroom allows the teacher to establish where the learners are in their learning, where they are going, and daily working out how to get there. The students are engaged in learning and the teacher is cognitive about the learning taking or not taking place. Participants will be engaged in a variety of formative assessments embedded in mathematics content.
Room 109
Facilitating Meaningful Mathematics Discussion
Dr. Emily Mainzer
K-3
This session can serve as an introduction to or a refresher on facilitating discussion in the preK-8 mathematics classroom. We will review NCTM's effective mathematics teaching practices as well as principles related to productive mathematical discussions. We will view classroom examples and participate in discussion rehearsals.
Room 111
Teaching Strategies that Maximize Student Engagement
Kelly Brent
6 - 12, Pre-Service
In this session I will share some strategies that I have used that get the ENTIRE class involved.
Room 112
From Campus to Classroom
Pre-Service Teachers
Join this panel discussion designed for pre-service teachers preparing to enter the classroom. Hear from experienced educators as they share what to expect during student teaching and beyond. Panelists will address topics such as classroom management, expectations of first-year teachers, work-life balance during student teaching and those first years and staying grounded in your "why". Come with questions and leave with practical insight to help bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Media Center
Energizing Word Problems with the Desmos Calculator
Bob Lochel
10-12
In this session participants will investigate problems involving linear programming, quadratic functions and exponential growth and use the Desmos graphing calculator to build conceptual understanding of formal mathematics and communicate mathematical ideas.
Room 104
Spot It Math Facts: A Twist on Using Patterns to Attain Addition and Subtraction Fact Fluency
Pat Peffley
K-3
Students discover basic fact patterns and properties through concrete activities. Playful chants, finger plays and partner games make them memorable. Then, Spot It's unique color-code sends students on an I Spy search for all the facts that fit a given pattern, guiding them to learn to depend on patterns instead of fingers.
Room 106
Factor Mania: A Playful Pathway to Number Theory and Mathematical Discovery
Dr. Agnes M. Rash
All Grades, Pre-Service Teachers
Factor Mania is an educational card game designed to deepen student’s understanding of number theory while fostering a fun and inclusive learning environment. In this interactive workshop, participants will learn how to incorporate Factor Mania into their classrooms to teach mathematical concepts such as divisibility, factoring, and relationships among integers. .
Room 109
The Desmos Dashboard: “A love letter to the 5 practices”
All Grades
Dr. Lara Dick
Come learn how to incorporate the 5 Practices for Orchestrating Productive Math Discussions instructional routine when using Desmos. Using pre-populated Desmos Teacher Dashboards and associated classroom video, we will discuss the 5 Practices and engage with making sense of student thinking. Be sure to bring a device to the session!
Room 111
Let’s Get Talking: Ways to Engage Students in Mathematical Discourse
Carol Barnes and Michele Herby, Cengage
K-6
Discover engaging strategies to spark meaningful mathematical conversations in your classroom. This session explores practical, ready-to-use techniques that promote student voice, deepen understanding, and build confidence in math discourse across all grade levels. Let’s get talking—mathematically!
Room 112
Using Colleague AI to Enhance Lesson Planning
Dr. Melissa Boston, Dr. Min Sun
K-8, Pre-Service and Inservice Teachers
In this session, we will introduce "Colleague," an AI platform for creating and enhancing lesson plans in elementary and middle level mathematics. We will share examples of how pre-service and inservice teachers have used the platform, provide a demonstration of the "Colleague" platform, and allow time for participants to engage with the platform themselves. Participants will be invited to use the platform in their classrooms and provide feedback to the developers. Please bring a device that will be able to access the platform (ideally, a laptop or tablet).
Media Center
Math in Motion
Dana Morse, TI
7-12
Get the most out of your TI graphing calculators. We will drive cars and fly drones from our TI calculators! Learn how to engage students through code and offer a STEM experience in your classroom.
Room 104
Enhancing Math Instruction with Nearpod
Melissa Torba, Nearpod
All Grades
Combine targeted Nearpod Math Program content with exciting activities, digital math manipulatives, and captivating multimedia to dramatically increase participation and student achievement in your classroom. In this session, teachers will explore pedagogically aligned Nearpod features that enhance Math instruction while delivering on the academic engagement that students experience in Nearpod Lessons.
Room 106
Using Multiple Representations to Aid Student Understanding
Marian Avery
7-9
Use manipulatives to provide students with a visual/tactile/kinesthetic way of understanding theoretical concepts in algebra while eliciting evidence of student thinking and empowering students with their own learning. The lesson centers on two manipulatives: the use of two-color-counters to add and subtract positive and negative integers, and Algebra Tiles to factor quadratic polynomials with an extension to solving quadratic equations utilizing factoring.
Room 109
Look in the Mira! A geometry manipulative for grades 2-5
Dr. Dave Kennedy
2-5
Miras are a classic manipulative that keeps a low profile --- and students like them! We'll use Miras to play a game with Pattern Blocks, complete half-pictures, reflect faces, and write secret codes, all using the ideas of symmetry and reflection.
Room 111
Let’s Get Talking: Ways to Engage Students in Mathematical Discourse
Carol Barnes and Michele Herby, Cengage
7-12
Discover engaging strategies to spark meaningful mathematical conversations in your classroom. This session explores practical, ready-to-use techniques that promote student voice, deepen understanding, and build confidence in math discourse across all grade levels. Let’s get talking—mathematically!
Room 112
Cafeteria