Get energized with a video and chat about productive struggle

CCTM is launching a video series to start conversations that energize, engage, and empower teachers in anticipation of the 2019 Annual Conference.  Each month we will share a video showcasing great speakers in math education, some of whom have spoken at previous CCTM conferences. Then, for the following three days, we will host a slow chat to engage our community in discussion around each month’s video. Join us in sharing your thinking on Twitter using #CCTM19.

This month’s video focuses on productive struggle. Principles to Actions (2014) says this:

Effective mathematics teaching uses students’ struggles as valuable opportunities to deepen their understanding of mathematics. Students come to realize that they are capable of doing well in mathematics with effort and perseverance in reasoning, sense making, and problem solving.

How are you thinking about productive struggle in your classroom? Check out what Robert Kaplinsky has to say in this video, then check @cctmath on Twitter tomorrow at 5 pm to engage in a slow chat with the hashtag #CCTM19.

Have you seen the new CMT?

CCTM has relaunched its journal, the Colorado Mathematics Teacher, as a web-friendly, open access publication that aims to cultivate a space for community, connection, and conversation for people invested in mathematics education in Colorado and beyond.

Heather Lynn Johnson, CMT Editor

CMT’s new editor is Heather Lynn Johnson, an associate professor in the School of Education & Human Development at the University of Colorado Denver. Heather brings extensive experiences in mathematics education at the K-12 and collegiate levels, including service as an editor of other journals. Heather served as a co-editor of the Tech Tips department of The Mathematics Teacher, NCTM's publication for high school teachers; she co-edited an issue of the journal ZDM Mathematics Education, focusing on mathematical tasks and the student; and she serves on the editorial board of the journal Mathematical Thinking and Learning. Heather is leading a revamping of CMT to better serve the professional learning needs of Colorado mathematics teachers, and will also represent the Mathematical Association of America on the CCTM Board of Directors. Assisting Heather with CMT will be three Associate Editors: Lisa Bejarano, of Desmos; Gulden Karakok, of UNC; and Geoff Krall, of the New Tech Network.

Recent Articles

Two articles have been published since the relaunch of the CMT:

• Investing Under Uncertainty: Mathematical Models and Computer Simulations by Alfinio Flores. This article explores how computer simulations (using both Geogebra and Python) can show how investing an optimum percentage of a bankroll can maximize investment returns.

• From Soliciting Answers to Eliciting Reasoning: Questioning Our Questions in Digital Math Tasks by Heather Lynn Johnson, Gary Olson, Amber Gardner, and Amy Smith. This article shows how digital math activities (co-developed with Desmos) functional relationships. Three design principles for the activities are discussed.

Write for the CMT

The CMT welcomes and encourages submissions. Submitting an article to the CMT starts with a proposal sent to the editor, and then you will work with the editorial team to draft, review, and refine a draft of 800-1200 words. The submission process, as well as other information for authors, is described in the submission guidelines. We hope you submit an article and add to the rich, award-winning tradition of the Colorado Mathematics Teacher.

No joke! Award nomination deadline extended to April 1

The deadline for award nominations for both CCTM and PAEMST has been extended to April 1. CCTM recognizes up to one K-6 and one 6-12 teacher from each region, as well as leaders from across the state. Nominees will be sent applications which must be returned by May 15. Awardees receive a plaque, $200, a one-year CCTM membership, and registration to the 2019 CCTM Conference. Please check eligibility requirements before nominating an excellent teacher or leader today.

The PAEMST nomination deadline has also been extended to April 1. The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government for K-12 mathematics and science teaching (including computer science and engineering). Awardees receive a paid trip to Washington D.C. to attend special events and professional development, a certificate signed by the President of the United States, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation. For more information, see www.paemst.org.

It's awards season—nominate a teacher or leader today!

We’re not just talking about the Grammys and the Oscars—this is the season to think about mathematics teaching and leadership awards, too! There are three awards for you to consider, two from CCTM and one from the United States government.

CCTM Mathematics Teaching Award

CCTM recognizes up to one K-6 and one 6-12 teacher from each CCTM region who displays excellence in teaching mathematics. Nominations are due March 5, 2019. Nominees will be sent applications which must be returned by May 15. Awardees receive a plaque, $200, a one-year CCTM membership, and registration to the 2019 Annual Conference. See here for all eligibility requirements and click here for the nomination form.

CCTM Mathematics Leadership Award

CCTM honors individuals who contribute to mathematics education but do not have full-time classroom responsibilities, such as coordinators, administrators, or higher education personnel dedicated to improving mathematics learning in school districts. Nominations are due March 5, 2019. Nominees will be sent applications which must be returned by May 15. Awardees receive a plaque, $200, a one-year CCTM membership, and registration to the 2019 Annual Conference. See here for all eligibility requirements and click here for the nomination form.

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 mathematics and science teaching (including computer science and engineering). Established by Congress in 1983, the President may recognize up to 108 exemplary teachers each year. Recipients of the award receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a paid trip to Washington, D.C. to attend a series of events and professional development, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation. State finalists receive a certificate and registration to the 2019 CCTM Annual Conference. The deadline for PAEMST nominations is March 1 and the deadline for PAEMST applications is May 1. For more information, see www.paemst.org.

Speak at the 2019 CCTM Annual Conference

Energize your peers by speaking at the 2019 CCTM Annual Conference! To submit a proposal, the process is simple: create a title, a 2-5 sentence description, and indicate the audience you’d like to reach. Proposals must be submitted by Friday, March 15. Do it today!

This year’s annual conference will again be held during late summer, just in time to engage educators in professional development before the start of the 2019-2020 school year. The dates for this year’s conference are Monday and Tuesday, July 29-30.

By speaking at this year’s conference, you will empower others with the knowledge, wisdom, and connections to be better teachers of mathematics. You’ll join our keynote speaker, Max Ray-Riek from Illustrative Mathematics, who is the author of Powerful Problem Solving and is formerly of the Math Forum. Other speakers include the leaders of our Monday workshops, Melissa Boston and Sara VanDerWerf. Melissa Boston is a Professor at Duquesne University and is co-author of the Taking Action series and the Principles to Action Toolkit. Sara VanDerWerf is a math consultant, a 25-year veteran educator in Minneapolis Public Schools, and the former president of the Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

We encourage you to submit a speaker proposal, even if you’ve never presented before. The CCTM Annual Conference is the perfect place for coming together, sharing ideas, and getting feedback from peers who want to learn from each other. Regardless if your ideas are tested and true or fresh and fearless, we want to hear them! Speakers chosen for this year’s program will be notified by May 1.