Charles A. Dana Center presents at 55th Annual NCSM Conference

The Charles A. Dana Center will be hosting a social event and presenting on a series of topics in Washington, D.C. for the 55th Annual NCSM Conference. “Mirrors and Windows: Stories of Bold Math Leadership” will be in session from October 28-31. We are excited to announce our lineup and share exciting stories of impact in the mathematics community. 

Our Featured Event 

The Charles A. Dana Center will be hosting an event at the NCSM conference. Stop by for free food and refreshments, meet the team, and learn about our latest professional learning resource. Classroom Practice Study is a hybrid model that uses real-time data to understand your state’s, district’s, or school’s unique strengths and challenges.

Our Sessions at NCSM Conference 

We hope to see you at NCSM’s 55th annual conference “Mirrors and Windows: Stories of Bold Math Leadership.” We are thrilled to announce that this event will feature presentations by curriculum and professional learning experts at the Dana Center.   

Improving Teacher Preparedness: A Focus on Curriculum Literacy

Date: Sunday, October 29 
Time: 8:15 – 9:15 a.m. 
Location: Room 4  
Presenter(s): Anne Joyoprayitno and Rafael Vasquez  

Learn how Rio Grande City Grulla ISD strengthened the content knowledge and pedagogy of its Algebra I teachers through a deep study of their high-quality math curriculum. By thoughtfully and systematically studying their math curriculum, teachers simultaneously learned math content and the art of teaching. The outcome was significantly higher student achievement, teacher retention, and the formation of a true learning community, where honesty and vulnerability are embraced and encouraged.

● Strand: Stories Yet to Be Told

Equipping Mathematics Education Leaders to Improve the Transition From High School to Postsecondary

Date: Sunday, October 29 
Time: 1:15 – 2:15 p.m. 
Location: Anacostia D 
Presenter(s): John Staley and Denise Thornton 

How might we ensure that every student has access to high-quality mathematics education during their transition from high school to postsecondary that’s relevant to their future? Participants are invited to join us as we share resources created by the Launch Years Math Organization Leadership Network (LY-MathLN), designed to equip mathematics education leaders to become change agents in their local communities.  

● Strand: Stories of Advocacy

 

Learnings From a Six-Year Longitudinal Study of Intensification in Supporting Algebra I Students

Date: Monday, October 30 
Time: 8:15 – 9:15 a.m. 
Location: Room 14 
Presenter(s): Anne Joyoprayitno, Susan May, and Afi Wiggins  

 

Intensification is a systemic effort to address the contextual needs of students in learning on-level content. In this session, participants will see the results of a six-year longitudinal study of an intensified Algebra I program in Washington State. Participants will learn about the design principles of the program that include corequisite math supports for students one to three years behind grade level and explicit lessons from learning sciences that impact students’ social and emotional competencies.

● Strand: Stories of Redesigning Mathematics Instruction

 

Tell Me More! Utilizing Storytelling and Reflection for Meaningful and Professional Growth

Date: Monday, October 30 
Time: 2:15 – 3:15 p.m. 
Location: Room 3 
Presenter(s): Katey Arrington and Shelly LeDoux   

Have you ever had a conversation that feels like more than a regular encounter? IN a moment, have you felt in the middle of layers of learning and continue to experience learning well after the moment is over? These instances provide us with opportunities for meaningful professional and personal development through intentional reflections. Come here and tell powerful stories, reflect on learnings from those stories, and consider how to leverage not-so-ordinary conversations for meaningful growth. 

● Strand: Stories Yet to Be Told

 

Discussion Mapping as a Catalyst for Equity-Centered Coaching Conversations

Date: Monday, October 30 
Time: 3:45 – 4:45 p.m. 
Location: Room 5 
Presenter(s): Molly Ewing and Jackie LeJeune   
 

 Engaging in coaching conversations around equitable practices is critical to ensuring all students have access to rigorous mathematics instruction, but these conversations can be uncomfortable and difficult to initiate. Discussion mapping is a low-stakes, high-leverage tool that can help coaches broach these necessary conversations by providing teachers with a real-time, concrete picture of who is engaging in mathematical discussions and to what extent, surfacing inequities in a non-threatening way while opening the door to equity-centered coaching. 

● Strand: Stories of Empowerment

 

Strengthening Belonging by Building Learning Communities Among Students and Teachers to Foster Positive Student Identities

Date: Monday, October 30 
Time: 3:45 – 4:45 p.m. 
Location: Room 3
Presenter(s): Susan May and Danielle Seabold 

How do we support equity-minded math education leaders in taking ideas about increasing students' sense of belonging and identity as math learners from research to practice? Come learn about strategies used in professional learning with educators that promote building learning communities and investigating research-centered concepts and strategies to reshape how students engage as learners and interact with peers and teachers.  

● Strand: Stories of Redesigning Mathematics Instruction
 

 

Instigating Change Through the Lens of Advocacy

Date: Tuesday, October 31 
Time: 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. 
Location: Room 16 
Presenter(s): Michael Greenlee and Michal Grissom 

NCSM’s book Culturally Relevant Leadership in Mathematics Education highlights key roles in advocating for change. In this session, we will explore our own lessons learned as part of a Network for School Improvement initiative in a large district. We will share how the different stakeholders of this initiative took on these various roles to break down barriers between district goals and classroom realities relating to curriculum, assessment, and the art of teaching mathematics. 

● Strand: Stories of Advocacy

 

Developing and Activating Expectations for High-Quality Math Instruction

Date: Tuesday, October 31 
Time: 12:15 – 1:15 p.m. 
Location: Room 16 
Presenter(s): Michael Greenlee  

NCTM’s Principles to Actions highlights eight mathematical teaching practices designed to strengthen teaching and learning in the math classroom. But how do we implement them effectively? NCSM’s Essential Actions series provides a process by which teachers and leaders can study the math teaching practices and use them to plan for high-quality instruction in the math classroom. In this session, we will explore this process and how to use it to unpack the components of high-quality math instruction. 

● Strand: Stories of Redesigning Mathematics Instruction