Math In Action Conference Program

Welcome message and information about SCECHs, session evaluations, and wifi

Welcome to Math in Action!

Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to Math in Action! There are six hour-long sessions with something for every grade level to be found in each. This year we are again excited to offer sessions in multiple modalities. Presentations labeled “hybrid” have an in-person speaker, and online participants can view these presentations via Zoom. Presentations labeled "in-person" have an in-person speaker and are only available to in-person participants.

We are especially excited to welcome our keynote speakers, David and Kathryn Coffey, who will give three presentations during Sessions C, E, and F.

You should find a meal ticket behind your nametag badge. You may choose to enjoy brunch during Session C, or lunch during Sessions D or E. If you have any questions, please find us at the registration table.

Please fill out evaluations for each presenter using the link at the top of the page.

Sincerely,

The Math in Action Steering Committee

SCECHs

We will be logging SCECHs electronically this year. After each presentation, the MIA volunteer in that room will have a QR code for you to scan (or a link) for you to log your attendance. You will need to do this for each presentation you attend. Please remember that you can earn up to 5 SCECHs for attending Math in Action (you must attend Brunch or one of the Lunch times - you cannot skip to get more SCECH credit). Please make sure you have your PIC number handy the day of the conference.

Session Evaluations

Please evaluate each session that you attend! Go to

https://www.gvsu.edu/mathinaction/eval

to complete all session evaluations.

Wifi and Presenter files

Wifi login: Join “GV-Visitor” and accept the terms. No password is needed.

Presenter files will be available at this link: 2025 conference files

Maps, parking, and meals

The maps below show parking, the conference location, and the meal location. You can also find these on the Allendale campus map.

Parking: Parking is open at GVSU on weekends. No permit is needed. We suggest that you park in Lot C1 to be as close as possible to the conference. In case of full parking, lots D1-D2, C2, and B1 and are also available.
Conference location: The conference is held in Mackinac Hall's D wing. The closest entrance to the parking area is marked by a tall yellow sculpture. Mackinac Hall is located at J7 on the Allendale campus map.
Keynote location: Keynote sessions are held in Manitou hall, which is directly connected to Mackinac Hall. Signs will be posted to help you navigate!
Brunch / Lunch: Meals will be in The Dish in Kleiner Commons, located at K4 on the Allendale campus map.

Schedule of Presentations

Session A 8:40-9:40

Session	Room	Modality	Grade bands	Session Description
A1	D-1-209	In-person	Primary focus: 6-8 Also applicable to: PreK-2, 3-5, 9-12	The Ripple Effect: Everyday Leadership Moves that Transform Math Classrooms Tennille Woodward, Grow Lead Empower Discover how small, intentional leadership moves create ripples of impact in mathematics instruction. This session highlights strategies for fostering student discourse, mathematical reasoning, and problem-solving confidence, empowering educators to build math classrooms where every learner leads and thrives.
A2	D-1-221	Hybrid	Primary focus: 3-5 Also applicable to: PreK-2, 6,8	We are All Mathematicians: Low-Floor, High Ceiling Tasks to Engage All Learners Cara Wegrzyn, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Experience the multi-level nature of math games, three act math, and math projects. Discover how open-ended activities such as this increase engagement by enabling students to utilize their strengths and explore concepts at their own levels. Participants should bring phones or tablets
A3	D-1-227	Hybrid	Primary focus: 9-12 Also applicable to: 6-8, 9-12	Practice Pathways: Designing Math Learning Beyond Content Sheila Orr, Saginaw Valley State University; Carlee Madis, ProgressED Pathways; Sarah DiMaria, ProgressED Pathways What if math class didn't ask students to choose between depth and relevance? Discover how Practice Pathways help design discipline-rich learning where students build understanding, engage as doers and thinkers of mathematics, and thrive through meaningful, connected opportunities to practice. Participants should bring phones or tablets
A4	D-1-233	In-person	Primary focus: 9-12 Also applicable to: 3-5, Post-Secondary	Math Therapy Sammi TenHave, Kent ISD; Karen Sleno, Flushing Community Schools; Erica Thacker, Grosse Pointe Public Schools Explore key ideas from Math Therapy a unique book that blends personal reflection with practical math mindset work. We will dig into the five M's of Math Therapy and how we can work to enact these in our own settings.
A5	D-1-117	In-person	Primary focus: 6-8 Also applicable to: 3-5, 9-12	From "I Can't" to "I Create" -- Building Positive Math Identities David Coffey and Lyndsey Smeyers, Grand Valley State University Discover how embracing creativity in algebra/geometry can transform uncertain students into confident problem-solvers who explore multiple pathways and find innovative solutions. Learn practical ways to build on proven problem-solving strategies that foster positive math identities in our secondary students. Participants should bring phones or tablets
A6	D-1-215	In-person	Primary focus: 3-5 Also applicable to: PreK-2	Recharge Your Fact Fluency Practice Gina Kling, Ella Williams, Molly Moore, Lillian Iden, and Lucy Neville, Hope College There is no question that developing fact fluency requires lots of practice, so let's make it engaging! In this session, we will share how we've used meaningful routines like "How Many?" and purposeful game selection to recharge fact fluency practice.
A7	D-1-135	In-person	Primary focus: 9-12 Also applicable to: 6-8, 9-12	The Probability Carnival - Make Probability Fun for Your Students Kim Morgan, Bowling Green State University Learn how your class can have a probability carnival! Students put probability concepts to the test by making their own carnival games. Once created, the class has a real carnival with decorations, snacks, and prizes. Session attendees will participate in a sample carnival during the session.

Session B 9:50-10:50

Session	Room	Modality	Grade bands	Session Description
Keynote Presentation	TBD	Hybrid	PreK-12	Coming soon! This year's Math in Action keynote presentation will feature Desiree Harrison!

Session

Room

Modality

Grade bands

Session Description

Keynote Presentation

TBD

Hybrid

PreK-12

Coming soon!

This year's Math in Action keynote presentation will feature Desiree Harrison!

Session C 11:00-12:00 Lunch for grades 9-12

Session	Room	Modality	Grade bands	Session Description
C1	D-1-209
C2	D-1-221	In-person	Primary focus: 6-8 Also applicable to: 3-5	Vocabulary in Math Tara Maynard, Zeeland Public Schools Math has it's own vocabulary. Come explore different strategies to help students learn, use and apply math vocabulary. Participants will need laptops
C3	D-1-227	Hybrid	Primary focus: 6-8 Also applicable to: 3-5, 9-12	Enhancing Math Warm-Ups and Exit Tickets through Desmos Classroom and Google Forms Logyn Miller, Coopersville This session explores transforming traditional math warm-ups into interactive Desmos activities and paper exit tickets into Google Forms. Participants will learn to design their own Desmos Classroom warm-ups, streamline feedback, and promote deeper mathematical thinking through digital engagement and reflection. Participants will need laptops
C4	D-1-227	In person	Primary focus: 6-8 Also applicable to: 3-5	How We Talk About Math: Boosting Confidence among Middle School Students Karen Rivas, Northview Public Schools Discover growth mindset strategies to boost middle school math confidence. Learn to reframe conversations and intentionally reword your own mathematical experiences. This simple yet crucial shift in dialogue, focusing on effort and resilience, helps students overcome fear and embrace math challenges. Participants should bring phones or tablets.
C5	D-1-117	In-person	Primary focus: 6-8 Also applicable to: 9-12	A middle-school friendly alternative to the t-test for middle school data investigations Jon Hasenbank and John Appiah Kubi, Grand Valley State University Discover a new middle-school friendly alternative to the traditional t-test that uses the mean absolute deviation (MAD) instead of the standard deviation. Use it to create confidence intervals, check for meaningful differences, and foreshadow important principles in future stats courses. Participants should bring phones or tablets.
C6	D-1-215	In-person	Primary focus: 3-5 Also applicable to: PreK-2, 6-8	Elementary Math Art John Golden, Grand Valley State University; Xavier Golden, Grand Haven Public Schools Participants will make 2 math/art projects. The first (K-8) involves counting practice with connections to multiples, the second (3-?) patterns with connections to counting, multiplication, geometry, algebra and more. Creating, cutting, coloring and mathing.
C7	D-1-135	Hybrid	Primary focus: 3-5 Also applicable to: PreK-2, 6-8, 9-12	Subtracting Negativity from Math Kristen Nader, Returning Teacher This conference explores effective classroom management strategies for teaching math. I will emphasize the strategic use of time to foster a positive, engaging, and disciplined learning environment. I strive to help teachers enhance student engagement and success in math. Participants should bring phones or tablets.

Session D 12:10-1:10 Lunch for grades PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8

Session	Room	Modality	Grade bands	Session Description
D1	D-1-209	Hybrid	Primary focus: 9-12 Also applicable to: 3-5, 6-8	Creating Self-Efficacy in Students to Increase Mathematical Achievement Erica Thacker, Grosse Pointe Public Schools A student's belief in their ability, self-efficacy, strongly shapes learning. High self-efficacy fosters persistence, resilience, and viewing setbacks as effort-based, while low self-efficacy leads to avoidance and quitting. This session explores key sources and practical strategies to build confident, capable learners.
D2	D-1-221	In-person	Primary focus: 9-12 Also applicable to: 3-5	Help Them Soar! Compelling Reasons Why Your School Should Offer AP Precalculus Karen Sleno, Flushing Community Schools This activity-based session will explore the benefits that AP Precalculus can offer your math program. Experience-based evidence will be shared and personal anecdotes will highlight the impact that this course for success in calculus or statistics.
D3	D-1-227	In-person	Primary focus: 9-12 Also applicable to: 6-8	How To Build a Community of Mathematical Thinkers Robin Kubasiak, Sturgis Public Schools We want students to work together and think about ways to solve problems. Come learn how to build the status of your students while building a thinking classroom and see how this will help motivate your students to work together. Participants should bring phones or tablets
D4	D-1-233	Hybrid	Primary focus: 9-12 Also applicable to: 6-8, 9-12, College/University	Prime Factorization's Limitless Help in Simplifying Algebra Magdalin Swanson, Florida Gulf Coast University Do your students struggle to solve equations with fractions, reduce radicals, simplify fractions, or finding the GCF? If so, using the prime factorization may be the key to unlocking the door to success! Participants should bring phones or tablets
D5	D-1-117	In-person	Primary focus: 9-12	Shifting in a Mathematics Classroom Kelli Pelak, Diocese of Grand Rapids I will present on the Four Shift Protocol presented to us by Scott McLeod in the Fall of 2024. The Four Shift Protocol focuses on: Deeper learning, Student Agency, Authentic Work, and Technology Use. Participants should bring phones or tablets
D6	D-1-215	In-person	Primary focus: 9-12 Also applicable to: 6-8	Cultivating a Positive Classroom Community through BTC Practices Clare Bunton, Wyoming Public Schools; Josh Zolen,Kentwood Public Schools In this session, participants will learn how to use Building Thinking Classroom practices to cultivate a strong math community. They'll experience BTC routines, explore collaborative task launches, and gain strategies to build inclusive, engaging 612 math classrooms. Participants should bring phones or tablets
D7	D-1-135	In-person	Primary focus: 9-12 Also applicable to: 6-8	A day in the life of a student centered teacher Donya Mosher, Watervliet I will conduct a lesson that I currently teach in my high school Geometry class. I will show how I have incorporated Kagan Cooperative Learning, Building Thinking Classrooms, Growth Mindset, and Capturing Kids Hearts strategies in my everyday lessons.

Session E 1:20-2:20

Session	Room	Modality	Grade bands	Session Description
E1	D-1-209	Hybrid	Primary focus: 9-12 Also applicable to: 6-8	Using Mathematics to Learn About the World Ashley Fabry, Michigan State University We will engage in quantitative literacy inspired tasks that use mathematics in authentic ways to learn about the world. We will discuss advantages, challenges, task design, and how we can use similar tasks to increase relevance for our students.
E2	D-1-221	In-person	Primary focus: 3-5 Also applicable to: PreK-2, 6-8	Making Math Make Sense: Strengthening Foundations for All Students Lynn Bahena, Alt + Shift This session explores how strengthening teachers' conceptual understanding of mathematics can make learning more accessible for all students. Participants will examine common challenges, engage in hands-on problem solving, and learn how systemic change can build lasting foundations for equitable instruction.
E3	D-1-227	Hybrid	Primary focus: 6-8 Also applicable to: 9-12	Secondary Math Intervention: Do's, Don'ts, & Maybes Makayla Erdman, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools Stop guessing! Get concrete answers on what to do (and what not to do) in Tier 2 secondary math intervention. Focus your time and resources on the most impactful practices for student success. Participants should bring phones or tablets
E4	D-1-233	In-person	Primary focus: 9-12	Top 10 things I wish I knew about math teaching 10 years ago Zach Cresswell, Mt. Pleasant Schools
E5	D-1-117	In-person	Primary focus: 6-8 Also applicable to: PreK-2, 3-5, 9-12	Math-ish: Reimagining Mathematics to Grow Thinkers, Doers, and Believers Kelli VanSetters, Kent ISD Math in the real world is more "ish" than exact and it's time our classrooms reflected that. Dive into Jo Boaler's Math-ish and discover bold, practical shifts that spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and transform how students see themselves as mathematicians.
E6	D-1-215	In-person	Primary focus: 6-8 Also applicable to: 9-12	A Data Science Approach to Algebra Ryan Wilson and Nicole Powell, Bootstrap Functions are the foundation of Algebra 1+2, and word problems often fail to make them concrete OR engaging. This session introduces a new approach, starting with data that students care about and using it to motivate functions of all types!
E7	D-1-135	In-person	Primary focus: 9-12 Also applicable to: 6-8	Reimagining Secondary Mathematics: A Problems-Based, Integrated Approach Zane Ranney, Boston University Academy Explore an integrated, problems-based curriculum that replaces Algebra, Geometry, and Precalculus. Participants will solve sample problems in small groups, engage in student-centered discussions, and leave with practical strategies for implementing integrated sequences and designing problems for conceptual understanding in their classrooms. Participants will need laptops

Session F 2:30-3:30

Session	Room	Modality	Grade bands	Session Description
F1	D-1-209	In-person	Primary focus: 9-12	Let Them Eat Cake...No, Pi! Karen Sleno, Flushing Community Schools In this session, we will explore how the use of food labs can enrich instruction, motivate students, and provide a fun change to your typical math class! Activities for Alg 1/Geom/Alg 2/Precalc/Calc will be included!
F2	D-1-221	In-person	Primary focus: 3-5 Also applicable to: PreK-2, 6-8	Igniting Inquiry in Math Ben Talsma, Van Andel Institute for K-12 Education What if students saw math not as rules to memorize but as a way to make sense of their world? In this session, discover ready-to-use strategies that spark curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving making math meaningful, engaging, and fun!
F3	D-1-227	Hybrid	Primary focus: 6-8 Also applicable to: 9-12	Understanding the Half-Fraction Advantage Honora Wall, The Dyscalculia Training & Research Institute What is the half-fraction advantage, when does it typically occur, and what happens when students do not develop it? This presentation answers these questions and gives recommendations for supporting students with a delayed half-fraction advantage.
F4	D-1-233	Hybrid	Primary focus: 9-12 Also applicable to: 6-8	Math Extras: A Variety of Noncurricular Activities and Projects Carolynn Cone, Creative Technologies Academy Some activities and projects you can use in your math classroom that may not be directly tied to curriculum. Includes short activities (5-15 minutes) as well as 1-3 day projects.
F5	D-1-117	In-person	Primary focus: 9-12 Also applicable to: 6-8	Driving Math Forward: Connecting Mathematics, Coding, and Motion Sasha Wakefield, Clio Area Schools Participants will explore how coding TI calculators to drive the TI-Innovator Rover connects Algebra, Geometry, and measurement concepts through hands-on challenges that model distance, angle, rate, and coordinate relationships, bringing mathematical reasoning to life through motion and coding.
F6	D-1-215	In-person	Primary focus: 9-12	Engaging Every Learner: Active Strategies for AP Precalculus Kelly Hemmerling, Huron Valley Schools Explore active, low floor, high ceiling activities that boost engagement and bridge readiness gaps to prepare students for AP Precalculus and beyond. Leave with tools to support all learners and maintain a classroom where every student belongs, participates, and thrives.
F7	D-1-135	In-person	Primary focus: 9-12	Good Strategies to Boost Algebra II Engagement John Failor, Traverse City Area Public Schools This session will provide many strategies to get your students excited about Algebra II class including incorporating data science, technology (graphing calculators and Desmos) and BTC examples. Come join the fun! Participants will need laptops

Thank you!

Presenters: We appreciate your preparation, expertise, time, and consideration. Thank you for your high level of engagement in mathematics education and for sharing that expertise in enlightening us!
Participants: Thank you for your curiosity, dedication, and interest in your own learning and that of your students. Your participation today says a lot about you and is most appreciated.
Ana Vanbragt (GVSU Department of Mathematics): Thank you for jumping in and helping with all the details, no matter how big or small; the facilities, registration, arrangements for refreshments, meals, tables, Math in Action swag, and a million others. Without you behind the scenes, there would be no conference!
Steering Committee: Your work in determining the experts to address major issues and mathematical concepts, contacting speakers, organizing the program, advertising, and volunteering during the day of the conference provide an enriching experience for all of us. Thank you for your many hours of thoughtful dedication.
Volunteers: Making certain that everything goes smoothly on the day of the conferences in every session, helping speakers carry and distribute materials, orienting participants to the environment, and all the other things you do to support the conference is greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,

Taylor Short and Joy Oslund

Math in Action GVSU Co-Chairs