2025 Mathstory Competition

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Associate Professor Paul Hernandez-Martinez from Swinburne University of Technology in Australia is excited to announce this year’s international Mathstory Competition. 

The competition invites all undergraduate students, from any discipline, and school students in their final two years of pre-university education (senior secondary school, or high school), anywhere in the world, to create a short (3-4 min) digital story that connects a mathematical idea to the real world. It invites students to be creative, develop their curiosity and have fun with mathematics. Creating a story that is relevant to the real world helps develop their ability to communicate mathematical ideas in engaging ways, fosters storytelling and digital literacy, and gives them a chance to showcase their work internationally and be part of a global community. 

All details about the competition can be found in our website: https://mathstory.org The deadline for submissions this year is Sunday, November 23rd, 2025. 

Joint Statement from AMTE

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The Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE) recently released a new joint position statement on Evidence-Based Math Instruction. Some of its key messages include: 

  • Evidence-based math instruction requires more than procedural drills. 
  • Teaching math is fundamentally different from teaching reading. 
  • Explicit instruction has value, but it is only one tool among many that effective teachers use.  

The joint position is in collaboration with the Association of State Supervisors of Mathematics (ASSM), The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NCSM), UT Austin Dana Center, and The National Council for Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).  

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Improving Math Outcomes Partnership

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The American Institutes of Research (AIR) is partnering with the Modern Classrooms Project (MCP) to study an innovative program designed to improve math outcomes through curriculum-embedded, competency-based instruction.

They are looking for district partners that use Illustrative Mathematics® or Eureka Math-Squared® in grades 4-8 .

The free program includes:

  • 20 hours of virtual synchronous summer training, curricular-aligned resources, six coaching calls, and two site visits during school year 2026 – 2027
  • The project will also provide six optional district workshops.
  • Ongoing coaching to support use of the materials and instructional approach during the year.

If you would like to learn more, contact the team at mcmp@air.org.

Watch “Counted Out” Virtually—Then Bring It to Your Community

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Brought to you by YouCubed

We’re thrilled to partner with the team behind Counted Out—a powerful new film about math as a language for reason, a foundation for truth, and a tool for democracy.

Math isn’t just a subject—it’s how we make sense of the world.
It shapes our choices, our futures, and our ability to fully participate in society. But for too long, too many have been left out of the equation.

We’re changing that—and you’re invited to be part of the movement.

Virtual Screening: Thursday, August 14 | 5 PM PT
Tickets: $15
👉RSVP and watch the trailer here

Counted Out has already sparked critical conversations in 600+ communities worldwide—from SXSW EDU to the Black Archives in Miami.

Now, we’re building on that momentum as a new school year begins and key elections approach nationwide. Whether you’re an educator, parent, or advocate, this is your chance to get inspired and consider bringing the film to your community this fall.

Join us from your living room, backyard, or wherever you gather best—with family, popcorn, or a few friends who love a good conversation. Let’s make it a night that counts!

Building Thinking Classrooms Conference 2026

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Save the Date!

The 4th Annual Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) Conference will take place in New Haven, CT, on June 29–30, 2026.

Hosted by Partners for Educational Leadership, this conference will bring together educators to collaborate, learn, and share strategies for fostering deeper thinking in classrooms.

Stay up to date on all conference details by joining the mailing list.

 

 

2025 Noyce Summit

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Courtney Sobanski (Thompson) and Jen Roggi (Vernon) represented our Noyce Math Teacher Leaders at the 2025 Noyce Summit! This annual gathering brings together Noyce Fellows, Scholars, and Project Leads from programs across the country to exchange ideas, share innovative teaching practices, and highlight the work happening in classrooms and communities. 

Courtney and Jennifer presented posters highlighting their Year 3 Independent Leadership Project. Courtney’s project was Professional Development, BTC Coaching, and Peer Observation. Jen’s project was Grade What You Value and Value What you Grade. Along with Megan Staples, they also presented a workshop on Advancing Fellows’ Math Teacher Leadership Skills.  

Congratulations to Courtney and Jen on their incredible work and continued contributions to math education! 

FREE REC Robotics and Drone Educator Summer Institute

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FREE REC Robotics and Drone Educator Summer Institute – July 7–11, 2025!

Join us for a FREE, hands-on training week at Masuk High School in Monroe, CT!
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM daily
🥪 Food provided (light breakfast & lunch)
💸 Stipends available for active coaches & mentors

Designed for K–12 educators and volunteers involved in VEX IQ, VEX V5, and Aerial Drone Competitions, this institute offers:
✅ Practical training in coding, building & engineering notebooks
✅ Event hosting experience & competition teardown
✅ Workshops on fundraising, curriculum integration & more
✅ Networking with robotics leaders across Connecticut

Link to registration: https://cteea.org/event-6169862

Spring 2025 May Workshop

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On May 17th, 2025, the Fellows met for their Spring Workshop went really well! Fellows brought great energy and thoughtfulness to the session. We also wrapped up the year with a joyful teacher field day! It was a fun and much-needed moment to reconnect, celebrate each other, and reflect on all we’ve accomplished together. Grateful for this community and everything we’ve built this year.

Fellows Spotlight – Kari Baranksy

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Kari Baransky, Edison Middle School, Meriden Public Schools

Kari teaches middle school mathematics at Edison Middle School in Meriden. She has been a teacher for 25 years, all at Meriden Public Schools. In addition to teaching mathematics, Kari serves as the Subject Area Specialist for math at her school. She is also the Secretary and Treasurer for the MFT Union as well as the Team Leader for grade 8 Team Empower. Prior to becoming a teacher, Kari worked in the Guildford Police Department and Yale Police Department. She transitioned into teaching because of her passion for education and because teaching was more conducive to raising her two small children at the time. Kari has also run restaurants and gas stations and worked as a nanny in Utah. Kari loves acquiring new skills, experiences, and knowledge. She loves to learn and tries to inspire this passion in her students, as well. Her hobbies include gardening, cooking, and riding her Harley Davidson Softail Custom to school!

Over the years, Kari has participated in regional and national conferences, sharing knowledge on topics including Building Thinking Classrooms, Fund for Teachers, and Classroom Management. Most recently, Kari presented at the MidSchoolMath national conference in Santa Fe. There, she shared her strategies for and experiences in incorporating Building Thinking Classrooms into her instruction. Additionally, she has facilitated multiple professional development (PD) sessions in her district. In fall 2024, her PD included a team model for supporting teachers in Meriden Public Schools on having a successful school year. Kari has also had the opportunity to train teachers in the use of the Common Core Standards in Mathematics at both the elementary and middle school levels.

This year, Kari’s Independent Leadership Project (ILP) centered on supporting families in feeling more comfortable with mathematics. Kari says, “There are so many families that feel that they are not math people, and that transfers to our students. Everyone is a math person. Family support is the key to having students be successful in school.” As part of the project, Kari spearheaded an initiative to hold the first Edison Middle School family night focused on mathematics at her school. The Math Family Night received enthusiastic support from the school administration as well as engagement of colleagues from other subject areas. She worked with them and students to create 8 stations each addressing important math and science topics. Kari thoughtfully prepared multiple prizes and raffle baskets that were relevant to math and appealing to the community. Additionally, food donations sponsored by local businesses were also obtained to draw in families. A total of 40 families participated in the family night, 11 colleagues and staff members volunteered to support the event, with the principal, vice principals and teachers running some of the stations. The success of the event was evident in the school’s interest in establishing Family Math Night as an annual event.