President’s Message

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Back To School 2021 Edition

By Karen Hyers

I hope you have all had an excellent start to the 2021 academic year. After a year of mostly black zoom screens, I am enjoying seeing smiling eyes above face masks. Working in person with students engaged in math activities with their peers has done a lot to heal my inner math soul. I hope that you have had a positive return to school too.

I also hope that you have looked for ways to NOT return to normal. Have you found ways to engage every learner? Have you found a new tech tool that is transforming instruction? Have you worked to open opportunities to high quality instruction for all students? Are you working with your colleagues to share successful ideas and brainstorm solutions?

If you are looking for ideas for professional learning, here are a few suggestions.

NCTM, NCSM, and ASSM have released the report: Continuing the Journey: Mathematics Learning 2021 and Beyond. The report includes practical suggestions with impacts on high-level content, best teaching practices, and advocacy. See this month’s article by VP for Elementary, Laura Wagenman for more details.

TODOS and NCSM have released the position paper: Positioning Multilingual Learners for Success in Mathematics. The paper includes ways that all members of the mathematics education community can work to develop an asset-based lens and appreciate the resources all our students bring to our classrooms.

Finally, the 2021 MCTM Virtual Conference sessions are available until March of 2022. If you did not attend the conference in April, you can still register and access these recordings. My PLC viewed a session on Thinking Classrooms this month. There are more than 100 sessions available to view.

I am looking forward to connecting with you all as the year progresses.