Struggle is the Key to Success

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Math classrooms are often seen as places where mistakes are penalized, leading to a fear of failure that can stifle learning. But what if we reframed struggle as an essential part of the learning process? This talk explores the power of embracing failure in math education. We'll delve into the benefits of a growth mindset, where students and teachers view challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.

About Dan
Daniel Kaufmann is a passionate mathematics educator with extensive experience in secondary math instruction, curriculum development, and educational leadership. Currently, he serves as a Secondary Math Teacher at the Wyomissing Area School District.

Previously, Daniel was an instructional coach and chaired the math department at the Wilson School District (West Lawn, PA). He's a Certified Facilitator for Illustrative Mathematics and a Google for Education Certified Trainer.

Daniel's commitment to sharing best practices extends beyond the classroom. He is a frequent presenter at national conferences, including ISTE, PCTM, PETE&C, The Global Math Department, and NCTM, where he has inspired and collaborated with educators from across the country.

Readers Read. Writers Write. Mathers Math! 

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“I am not a reading person” is not something we typically hear people say, yet it is pretty standard to hear, “I am NOT a math person!” Historically, education focused on literacy and mathematics was reserved for the elite. Basic computation skills without deep thinking were all the laboring class would need. A singular, lackluster version of mathematics void of exploration and wonder is what the masses inherited. Unfortunately, this perception lingers, so we must re-brand mathematics by changing our language and shifting our beliefs about who is wired to do math. By debunking myths of mathematics being a subject reserved for an elite group with “the math gene,” teachers are encouraged to set high expectations for all students. It is time to celebrate that we are all Mathers! 

About Deborah

Deborah Peart Crayton is the founder and CEO of My Mathematical Mind. She speaks on various topics related to math identity, pedagogical content knowledge, and literacy connections to mathematics. Deborah advocates for a mindful approach to teaching mathematics to address math anxiety, build confidence, and support the development of positive math identities. She has dedicated her career and doctoral studies to supporting educators with innovative teaching strategies that allow students to be curious problem-solvers and see themselves as assets to the learning community. Deborah believes all children deserve high-quality instruction and the opportunity to become competent readers, writers, and mathers. 

Technology that thinks with you, not for you

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Technology wears two faces. With one, it allows us to hatch new questions, have new insights, and share new ideas. With the other, it can constrain, surveil, and influence our thoughts, offloading the interesting work of asking and answering questions to a digital test platform or a social media engineering team. We’ll look at ways that tech can think with us and our students, helping to unleash the curious mathematician inside of every person.  

About Eli

Desmos founder Eli Luberoff’s two dueling loves are learning and programming. He combines those loves in Desmos Studio, a Public Benefit Corporation with the goal of helping everyone learn math, love math, and grow with math. When not glued to his computer, Eli blows off steam by playing piano or kicking around a soccer ball -- both mostly at random.