The North Carolina Network of Math Teachers' Circles (NCNMTC), is a statewide network of mathematics teachers and faculty. As part of this network, Math Teachers’ Circles around the state will provide an ongoing way for teachers and professors to stay connected around mathematics.

What are Math Teachers’ Circles?

Math Teachers’ Circles (MTCs; www.mathteacherscircle.org) are professional communities of K-12 teachers and higher education faculty who meet regularly to work on rich mathematics problems and informally discuss problems of practice. MTCs are a key part of our vision in North Carolina for building a K-20 community of mathematics professionals committed to fostering a love for and understanding of mathematics among all students.

Who participates?

MTCs vary in size, but on average have about 15-20 teacher members. North Carolina’s MTC’s will welcome all K-12 teachers. Each group also includes mathematics department faculty from a college or university, or other professional mathematicians from academia or industry.

What happens at a Math Teachers’ Circle meeting?

Most MTCs meet five or six times each school year. Meetings last two to three hours and include a meal, a math session, and discussion time devoted to problems of practice and topics such as equity. Math sessions are not lectures, but rather, highly interactive mathematical explorations focused on  the enjoyment of mathematical problem solving. Meetings are lively, interactive, and often “funstrating”: challenging, but in a highly rewarding way! 

How do I get involved in a Math Teachers’ Circle?

You can learn more about our network and attend an MTC session at the fall NCCTM conference in Winston-Salem. Please contact Nathan Borchelt naborchelt@wcu.edu if you are interested in joining a meeting near you, or starting a new circle.

In addition to regular members, each MTC also needs a leadership team with two K-12 teachers and one or two higher education faculty. If you would like assistance finding higher education faculty for your leadership team, please feel free to contact Sloan Despeaux at despeaux@wcu.edu.

What additional support is available for Math Teachers’ Circles in North Carolina?

MTCs started in 2006 at the American Institute of Mathematics (AIM; www.aimath.org). Since then, AIM has worked with teams of teachers and professors around the country to start more than 80 MTCs in 37 states. Through the Math Teachers’ Circle Network (www.mathteacherscircle.org), AIM provides planning guides, seed grants, mathematical materials, a semi-annual newsletter, and other resources.  

The NCNMTC provides Math Summer Camps for MTC leadership teams (new and established) to sustain and grow MTCs across North Carolina.  In addition, we can recommend or provide guest facilitators for meetings throughout the year.  For more information, please contact Sloan Despeaux (despeaux@wcu.edu_ or Nathan Borchelt (naborchelt@wcu.edu).