Speaker Proposals

We're excited to announce that the Oregon Council of Teachers of Mathematics will be seeking breakout session proposals for our 65th Northwest Mathematics Conference in Portland, Oregon starting October 10, 2025. If you are interested in presenting to mathematics teachers and leaders, we want to hear from you!

The strands for the 2026 event include:

• Intersections of Pedagogy and Practice

Sessions in this strand will explore the link between educational theory and real-world teaching practices. This strand emphasizes the idea that a teacher's pedagogical knowledge directly impacts a student's learning experience. It's about bridging the gap between what we know about how students learn and what we do in the classroom. Presentations in this strand might address:

• Effective Questioning

• Structured Student Talk Routines

• Ambitious Math Instructional Practices

• Differentiation & Student-led learning

• Technology Advances & AI

• Intersections of Identity and Equity

Sessions in this strand are dedicated to the social and emotional aspects of math education. Sessions would address how students' personal identities, cultural backgrounds, and experiences intersect with their learning of mathematics. The core idea is that a student's identity and sense of self are inseparable from their mathematical journey. Presentations in this strand might address:

• Equity-based practices 

• Culturally Responsive Mathematics Teaching

• Linguistically Inclusive Mathematics Teaching

• Supporting Students with Disabilities

• Blending SEL and Math instruction

• Intersections of Assessment and Action

Sessions in this strand will focus on the crucial link between gathering information about student learning and using that information to drive instructional decisions. The core idea is to move beyond simply assigning a grade and instead, focus on how the data from these assessments—both qualitative and quantitative—can be used to inform teaching practices. This strand emphasizes that assessment isn't just an end-of-unit task, but an ongoing, integral part of the learning process. It highlights the intersection of data and practical teaching, empowering educators to use student information to create a more effective and responsive classroom. Presentations in this strand might address:

• Standards-based grading

• Equitable Grading Practices

• Using Data to Inform Instruction

• Creating Common Formative Assessments

• Effective progress monitoring

• Intersections of Systems and Success 

Sessions in this strand are dedicated to the systemic structures that shape how math is taught and learned. They will address how high-level decisions about curriculum and professional learning intersect with the daily experiences of educators and students. The core idea is that the structures we build for learning are inseparable from the outcomes we achieve in the classroom. Presentations in this strand might address:

• High School Math Pathways

• Implementing Successful Systems for K-5 Math Intervention

• Integrating K–8 Data Reasoning standards

• Learning Walks from a Grassroots Style

• Practical solutions to 2+1 Alignment in HS