JoyMath

Clarity of action in the fog

Wild math in any curriculum

This is a professional development course designed for schools and organizations who want to offer their math educators something deeper than a one-day workshop. It is a five-session learning journey built around inquiry, reflection, and the kind of mathematical thinking that changes how teachers see their students and themselves.

Grounded in research and shaped by the actual needs of each cohort, this course meets teachers where they are and moves them forward — as practitioners, as thinkers, and as people with their own math stories.

Course Structure

  • Format: 5 synchronous sessions plus a follow-up check-in session (virtual or in-person)
  • Length: Each session is 2 hours, with approximately 2 hours of between-session work — reading, reflection, and math practice
  • Scheduling: One session per week over 5 weeks, or condensed into a full week — flexible to your school's calendar
  • Tools: Computer with internet access, Zoom (for virtual sessions), and Google Suite
  • Living Syllabus: Built dynamically based on participant needs and feedback — no two cohorts are identical

What We'll Explore Together

  • Examining Student Thinking: Use student work and growth trajectories to meet learners where they are and move them forward.
  • Assessment in Action: Design and apply informal, classroom-based assessments that inform instruction at the individual, small-group, and whole-class level.
  • The 8 Mathematical Practices: Understand, recognize, and name these practices in real classroom moments, helping students self-monitor their growth as mathematicians.
  • Research-Based Instruction: Engage with high-quality, actionable strategies aligned with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).
  • Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Explore ways to make math accessible, inclusive, and engaging for every student.
  • Mathematical Identity and Mindset: Reflect on your own math story and embrace mindset as a tool for lifelong learning — yours and your students'.

What Each Session Looks Like

  • Hands-on math exploration using meaningful grade-level content
  • Structured reflection on instructional choices and student engagement
  • Opportunities to apply new tools and try math in multiple ways
  • Optional and required readings that directly support your practice
  • Shared digital resources and collaborative activities

What Participants Walk Away With

  • A ready-to-use collection of weekly math talks emphasizing data interpretation and representation
  • A clear, efficient framework for analyzing student work both during and after lessons
  • Tools and techniques to facilitate meaningful mathematical discourse using UDL principles
  • A toolkit for ongoing assessment of both student and teacher learning
  • A big-picture view of the mathematics learning continuum across multiple grades
  • Activities and strategies for building positive student math identities, including their own
  • Structures for celebrating student growth, building portfolios, and providing narrative feedback

Reference Books

  • Mathematical Mindsets — Jo Boaler
  • Catalyzing Change — NCTM
  • Taking Action — NCTM (editions for grades K–5 and 6–8)
  • Building Thinking Classrooms — Peter Liljedahl
  • Everything You Need for Mathematics Coaching — McGatha and Bay-Williams

Bring this to your school

If this course feels like a fit for your team, reach out to start the conversation. We'll talk through your goals, your teachers' needs, and a schedule that works for everyone.

Email Tia: tia@joymath.me