Welcome to the Mathematics Teachers' Circle of Austin!

This is the official site for the Mathematics Teachers' Circle of Austin. This professional learning community brings together middle and high school math teachers and professional mathematicians to collaborate and learn from one another.

NEWS:

Fall 2026 MTCA Workshop #1

Cody Patterson from Texas State University will lead this session titled "Mind the Gap: Covering Checkerboards With Triominoes."

One of the most powerful techniques in mathematical problem solving and reasoning is to reduce a big problem to a smaller problem so that we can use what we know about the smaller problem to set up a solution strategy. We will experience this technique with a classic problem about tiling various shapes with triominoes. You'll get to experience an activity designed by mathematics instructors from three universities to support college students' inquiry into mathematical proof. You will learn some techniques that can help you engage your own students in meaningful collaboration around mathematical reasoning and justification.

We will experience an active-learning, student-centered "group-worthy" task that Cody Patterson & Jennifer Austin co-developed and classroom-tested in collaboration with the STEP UP (Structuring Equitable Participation in Undergraduate Proof) initiative. STEP UP focuses on introducing inquiry into a proof-based course with a focus on equity. (Learn more about STEP Up here.)

We validate campus parking and provide dinner, and participants earn CPE hours (TEA approved) for this workshop.

Thursday, September 24, 2026
6-8 pm
PMA 12.166

Please visit our Previous Workshops page for information and handouts from previous sessions.

Information and handouts from previous workshops can be found by clicking on the Previous Workshops tab in the sidebar. There you will find links to all previous MTCA workshops. When handouts are available, they will be found as links at the bottom of each post. You can also find links to handouts from our summer workshops by clicking on Workshops, then following the links to the summer workshops.

Registration is free and open to all math teachers/instructional specialists/coordinators in the Austin area. Join us for dinner and problem-solving fun! See calendar below for more details.