Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Calling All Math Teachers to St. Louis: Oct. 26–28!

NCTM's Regional Conference —Gateway to Mathematics for Educators

RESTON, Va., October 11, 2011—The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) with the Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the Mathematics Educators of Greater St. Louis will host a regional conference and exposition in St. Louis, October 26–28. The conference theme, "Technology and Mathematics: Get Connected!" invites educators to expand their view of how technology can be used as a tool to support effective mathematics teaching and enhance mathematics learning, as well as add to their own math knowledge and increase their instructional skills.

Presenters for the conference will come from all corners of Missouri, including Columbia, Springfield, and Kansas City, as well as St. Louis. Presentations will also be given by educators from surrounding states and throughout the United States, and from as far away as Kuwait and Australia. The conference will offer more than 300 sessions and workshops, covering all levels, pre-K–grade 12.

NCTM Past President Cathy Seeley will kick off the conference by sharing what math educators need to do to seize the opportunity that the Common Core State Standards present, while also detailing how to achieve the real equity of deep, complex mathematical learning by every student. She will present the Opening Session, "Yes, They Can—Mathematical Habits of Mind for Every Student," on Wednesday, October 26, 5:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m. at America's Center, room 223–226.

On Thursday and Friday, October 27 and 28, an interactive workshop will offer tips for all new and preservice teachers on how to manage their classrooms, work with parents, and handle homework. The sessions will run from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. Thursday and 10:30 a.m. to noon Friday.

On Thursday, October 27, NCTM President Mike Shaughnessy will present "Empowering Students through Reasoning and Sense Making: Video Clips and Tasks," in which he will discuss NCTM's ongoing high school initiative on reasoning and sense making. This session will take place from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.in room 222 and 227 of America's Center. Then from 11:00 a.m. to noon in room 276 of America's Center, Shaughnessy will discuss the Council's role in implementing the Common Core State Standards and accompanying assessments in the session "NCTM and Issues in Implementing and Assessing the CCSSM."

All conference activities will be held at America's Center. In addition, hundreds of the latest education products will be on display in Exhibit Hall 1 on Thursday, October 27, and Friday, October 28, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Preview all the conference offerings at the St. Louis Regional Conference and Exposition.

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics is a public voice of mathematics education, supporting teachers to ensure equitable mathematics learning of the highest quality for all students through vision, leadership, professional development, and research. With more than 100,000 members and 230 Affiliates, NCTM is the world's largest organization dedicated to improving mathematics education in prekindergarten through grade 12. The Council's Principles and Standards for School Mathematics includes guidelines for excellence in mathematics education and issues a call for all students to engage in more challenging mathematics. Its Curriculum Focal Points for Prekindergarten through Grade 8 Mathematics identifies the most important mathematical topics for each grade level. Focus in High School Mathematics: Reasoning and Sense Making advocates practical changes to the high school mathematics curriculum to refocus learning on reasoning and sense making. NCTM is dedicated to ongoing dialogue and constructive discussion with all stakeholders about what is best for our nation's students.

Media interested in arranging interviews or attending the conference, contact Gay Dillin, Communications Manager, gdillin@nctm.org, 703/620-9840, ext. 2189. During the conference, Oct. 26–28, call cell: 703/609-8607.