Friday Schedule - October 10
Through this discussion, our Friday workshop will explore the state of mathematics education at two year colleges in Michigan. That is, "what it was before, what it is now, why it matters, and what might it be like in the coming years". Looking at potential implications for policy and practice, we will explore building a collaborative approach as an organization toward meaningful change in teaching and learning of mathematics in the state.
Your insights will contribute to the ongoing Reconnect Mathematics Pathways (RMP) project led by Kellogg Community College.
The session will be facilitated by Professor David Tannor of Kellogg Community College.
Following the discussion, we invite you to relax, reconnect, and network over dinner at the Wood Fire Trattoria, a renowned Dowagiac restaurant in the heart of our charming downtown area!
3:00 - 5:00 PM Workshop to be held on the SMC Dowagiac Campus, Wood Building Room 481
5:30 - 8:00 PM Drinks (on your own) followed by dinner at the Wood Fire Trattoria.
Saturday Schedule - October 11
All meetings will be held at the Dowagiac campus of SMC.
See the campus map page for more details.
8:00 - 8:40 AM Breakfast & Registration
8:40 - 8:50 AM Conference Welcome: Interim President Brent Brewer
8:50 - 9:00 AM Restroom Break
9:00 - 9:50 AM Morning Keynote: Dr. Keith Nabb- The Active Learning Imperative: A Small Change with a Big Impact
10:00-10:50 AM Breakout Session #1
Option 1- A little Aristotle with Your Plato: AI in the Classroom presented by Steve Tuckey
Option 2- What Equity Really Means: Perspectives from College Algebra Students presented by Dr. Rabia Gul Kirikcilar and Megan (Mack) McCormick
11:00 -11:50 AM Breakout Session #2
Option 1- Curiosity in Calculus presented by *Dr. Keith Nabb
Option 2- Fun with Mental Math presented by Katy Shields
12:00 - 1:00 PM Lunch and Business Meeting
1:00 - 1:50 PM Lunch Keynote: Dr. Brian Mulholland- Reclaiming Learning: Student-
Centered Math Pedagogy
2:00 - 2:50 PM Breakout Session #3
Option 1- Reclaim Learning presented by *Dr. Brian Mullholland
Option 2- Implementing Hy-flex on the Cheap! presented by Alana Tuckey, Kristi Laird, and Allison Price
Option 3- MacGraw-Hill Sponsor Presentation
2:50 - 3:15 PM Coffee Bar provided by Baker's Rhapsody- A local favorite!
3:15 - 4:05 PM Breakout Session #4
Option 1- The Pythagorean Theorem (as proven correctly by 16 year old Ann Condit of South Bend, IN in 1938) and a Special Case of Einstein's Law of Relativity presented by Dr. Gerry Cox
Option 2- Leverage the Power in your Pocket: The Desmos APP presented by Julie Gunkleman
Option 3- Cengage Sponsor Presentation
4:15- 4:45 PM Closing and prize drawing
*We will be serving a full, hot breakfast beginning at 8:00 AM in The Mathews Conference Center (MCC East). A yogurt bar will also be included, so come hungry. There will be something for everyone!
*Lunch will be catered by Tienda y Taqueria Del Ray, which is a local favorite restaurant in Dowagiac. They will be serving a taco bar with all the fixings. It is muy delicioso!
Over the past few years, two-year college mathematics education has undergone significant transformation. Our Friday workshop will provide a space for thoughtful discussion as we examine the current landscape of math education at Michigan's two-year institutions—where it’s been, where it stands today, why it matters, and where it may be headed.
Together, we’ll consider the implications of these changes for both policy and classroom practice. Through collaborative dialogue, we aim to identify opportunities for collective action that support meaningful, lasting improvements in the teaching and learning of mathematics across the state.
The Active Learning Imperative: A Small Change with a Big Impact
With increasing clarity, it is evident that active learning strategies lead to better student outcomes. In this session, you will experience 10 active strategies that are easy to import into your classroom—Number Talks, Chain Notes, Frayer Model, Open Middle, Four Corners, Give an Example, and many more. Students should be thinking, sharing, and moving as they learn. So should you!
Reclaiming Learning: Student-Centered Math Pedagogy
This session invites math educators to rethink assessment and classroom structures in ways that empower students as active, engaged learners. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory, the talk explores how fostering autonomy, competence, and relatedness can enhance motivation, well-being, and academic success. Through classroom examples and research from the University of Notre Dame, we’ll examine three evidence-based practices—mastery-based grading, project-based learning, and contract/ungrading—that support these psychological needs. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to transform assessment and cultivate inclusive, student-centered mathematics learning environments.
Brian Mulholland: https://math.nd.edu/people/faculty/brian-mulholland/