There are so many great tools and resources at every educator’s fingertips. However, the question of what to use and when can sometimes be overwhelming. Come join the District 300 math team in this Showcase of inspiration . The team will share what inspires our teachers and learners, how we match inspiration with action, when to implement student strategies, and which tools have proven effective in the classroom.

Details Location: Hampshire High School - 1600 Big Timber Road, Hampshire, Illinois Date: November 6, 2019   Time: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.    Cost: $45 per participant Who Should Attend K-8 educators who are looking for inspiration in their own classroom or are looking to inspire other teachers in engaging and student centered mathematics.   Schedule 7:45 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. - Registration 8:15 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. - Welcome and Key Note: Conceptual Understanding,  Presented by D300 Math Team 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - A.M. Session 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. - Lunch (Included with Registration Fee) 12:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. - P.M. Session 2:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Closing

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Please note: registration is limited and will be on a first come first serve basis. The registration deadline is October 16, 2019.  If you have any questions: please contact Jacquie Duginske, Director of Mathematics at [email protected] .

Overview of Sessions Offered

Session Name

Session Description

Grade Level Audience

Creating a Math Workshop Model To Meet the Needs of All Learners

Are you seeking a framework that allows you to introduce new content to your students each day, offers time for students to practice strategies in a variety of ways, provides you with enhanced observational opportunities to gather student data, and keep your students engaged in hands-on activities? This Math Workshop is for you!

Kindergarten – Fifth Grade Educators

Mastering Fractions Conceptually in Elementary Classrooms

Frustrated with teaching fractions? Looking for ways to help your students develop a deep conceptual understanding of the fraction standards? Using tricks to teach students math is like building a house out of cards, eventually it will collapse. This session will help students build a solid foundation progressing from the concrete to the pictorial to the abstract. For us, the strategic and purposeful use of concrete manipulatives that promote higher level thinking and develop reasoning skills is at the heart of helping students master standards. Come for a hands-on experience with tools you’ve probably already got in your classroom. Leave with ideas that can transform your instruction tomorrow.

Kindergarten – Fifth Grade Educators

Gameification > Memorization: Learning Through Play

Students struggle with math facts. Students learn best when they are engaged in a fun experience. Explore how math fact fluency can be developed through playing games (presenters will break out into K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 mini sessions for differentiated content).

Kindergarten – Eighth Grade Educators

Getting Our Students to Talk Math

Getting our students to talk is a challenge we all face. This session is designed to explore math practice three and come to a deeper understanding of how we can better implement that practice into our everyday instruction.

Sixth – Eighth Grade Educators

The Routines of the Middle School Math Classroom

Routines and structures can help support success at any grade level, but especially in middle school. Purposeful routines, informed by our knowledge of the standards and coupled with data from formative assessments help us build a structure of engaging tasks that help all students learn.

Sixth – Eighth Grade Educators

Mathematical Mindset - Growth Mindset But for Math

Mathematical Mindset has the power to change math education. Supported by Jo Boaler’s research, we changed the teaching and learning of math in a large district. Explore how mathematical mindset summer camps, curriculum changes, and capacity building for teachers to create equitable learning where students have the mindset to achieve in mathematics.

Kindergarten – Eighth Grade Educators

Project Based Learning for Easy Differentiation

Project-based Learning is an exceptional tool that can be used to meet the needs of students, while creating engaging, real-life scenarios that get students excited. Come and learn how to take an everyday situation and turn it into a Project Based Learning opportunity that can be easily differentiated and applicable to all students in your classroom (presenters will break out into K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 mini sessions for application and brainstorming).

Kindergarten – Eighth Grade Educators

Making Math Make Sense - Reasoning Routines

Looking for a way to boost number sense, subitizing, fluency, mathematical reasoning, critical thinking, and speaking and listening in your classroom? Come learn about a variety of fun, thought-provoking, ten-minute routines that can be used to do just that each day.

Kindergarten – Fifth Grade Educators

Meet the Presenters

Joe Santucci Joe Santucci is in his third year as an Instructional Math Coach in District 300. Previously, he was a third grade teacher and a sixth grade math and science teacher. All years have been spent serving in Title I schools. Joe believes in a hands-on and engaging approach to teaching that follows the concrete-pictorial-abstract learning progression.    “Though I am inspired by the work of Jo Boaler and Graham Fletcher, my personal math hero is Steve Wyborney, who finds inventive and engaging ways to help students learn math, which I aspire to do each day.”

Mandy Thalhammer Mandy Thalhammer is an Instructional Math Coach in District 300. In her tenure with the district she has had many roles, including teaching pre-k through third grade. Mandy believes in the power of students building their mathematical problem-solving strategy “tool boxes.” For children, this follows the concrete-representational-abstract continuum as they develop their confidence and skills. In her free time Mandy loves to bake, dream about summer sun, and watch a good lacrosse game!  “My math heroes include EVERY teacher who inspires a student to want to learn math!”

Lisa Feltman Lisa Feltman is in her 30th year in District 300 and a National Board-Certified teacher. She has taught everything from 1st grade to high school, regular and special education. In her 4th year as an Instructional Math Coach, Lisa promotes a hands-on multi-sensory approach to learning in a student-centered classroom. She has won numerous teaching awards including 2006 Kane County Elementary Educator of the Year and the 2012 Presidential Award for Academic Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Lisa loves extreme water activities like repelling down waterfalls and white water rafting.  “ My math hero is Graham Fletcher because he breaks down the progression standards using manipulatives.”

Becky Hill Becky Hill is in her third year as an Instructional Math Coach in District 300. Prior, she taught 8 years as a sixth-grade math teacher in East Aurora at a Title I middle school. Her experience ranges from general education to special education with EL students. Her passion is guiding teachers and students through exploring the many uses of the number line. When Becky gets talking about math learning, you can feel her passion for helping others understand math better. When not at school, Becky can be found driving her two tween boys to activities, hanging out with friends, or relaxing with a great book.  “My personal math hero is Robert Kaplinski for his dedication to providing teachers with easily accessible problem solving and open resources."

Paige Sidlo Paige Sidlo is on year two of being an Instructional Math Coach in District 300. Prior to working for the district, she had nine years of experience teaching in grades kindergarten, 4th, and 5th. She has taught in public, private, and charter schools. Paige has a firm belief that every student can be a mathematician if just given the tools and mindset. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her husband and puppy.  “My math hero is Jo Boaler. I was fortunate enough to be involved with her summer camp curriculum and saw true changes in the mindset of teachers and students when it came to math.“

Karen Raistrick Karen Raistrick is in her second year as an Instructional Math Coach in District 300. Prior to this, she was a classroom teacher for 17 years, teaching everything from kindergarten to 4th grade. Karen is a primary teacher at heart but believes in the power of learning through play and exploration for students of all ages. She enjoys collaborating with teachers on making math engaging for their students. Karen loves spending time with her family, whether that be at her two children’s many activities, traveling, or a movie night at home. “My math hero is Graham Fletcher. His 3 Act Tasks are so engaging because they target children’s natural curiosity about the world around them.”

Diane Artel Diane Artel is in her second year as an Instructional Math Coach in District 300. She recently taught 5th and 6th grade math in a Chicago Charter School, prior to that she taught 2nd - 6th grade, both general education as well as special education in two suburban school districts as well. Diane enjoys working with students and teachers with a variety of backgrounds helping them find their math voice. Diane has recently become an empty nester but still loves spending time with family.  “My math hero is Steve Wyborney, his resources help engage students in discussions through his interactive lesson on estimation, splat, hundreds charts, and many more.”

Sarah Ortloff Sarah Ortloff is a traveling Instructional Math Coach in District 300. Although new to the role this year, she’s in her 17th year in education, prior to joining this amazing team, Sarah was a part of Schaumburg School District 54. She taught 1st - 3rd grades and served in a K-6 multi-grade building as a gifted and enrichment coach. In all her “free” time, Sarah enjoys hiking, traveling, and planning her next adventure.   “ My math hero is Greg Tang, author of many engaging, math-related books for kids. I sat next to him at the Arkansas Reading Council Conference and he was super nice.”

Jessica Weir Jessica Weir is a certified teacher, a grant writer, an accomplished demolition driver, and a boy mom of two. Jessica has focused her energy on the studies of increasing student engagement and creating interactive lessons in the classroom. She’s a Quantum Learning Facilitator in District 300 and loves to help teachers take students from passive learners to active learners. She believes in giving students the tools that they need to be successful, that can range from manipulatives to social skills, dependent on needs. Come visit one of her sessions for a fun balance of insanity and innovation. “ My math hero is Graham Fletcher. I love how he makes things relatable and has a talent for making the complex seem simple .”

Evan Borkowski Evan Borkowski was an 8th grade math teacher for 14 years at Algonquin Middle School. For the past four years, he has been an Instructional Math C oach supporting all Middle Schools and High Schools. Evan believes in using strategies and tasks that help build an enjoyment and love for math. The importance of building positive relationships with students is his first priority. “If you know what students enjoy, you can design the classroom around that." When it comes to hobbies, you will find Evan writing up winter weather forecasts for all of the teachers to read when snow is in the forecast.  “My math hero is Eli Luberoff. He created Desmos back in 2011. I think Desmos is one of the most relevant additions to the math classroom in the past 20 years. It’s a game changer in the exploration and discourse of mathematics by all who use it.”

Kelli Hager Kelli Hager is a middle school Instructional Math Coach in District 300. This is her second year in this role and her 18th year in the district and education. Prior to joining the coaching team, Kelli taught sixth and seventh grade; she loves working with both middle school children and teachers. Kelli believes that giving students an opportunity to explore their own thinking and reasoning is key to building confidence. In her free time, Kelli enjoys spending time with her husband and son skiing, swimming, watching movies, and cooking meals together. “My math hero is my Math Modeling professor from college. Her dedication to students and encouragement for them to “think outside the box” is what directed me into math education.”

Dr. Jacquie Duginske, Ph. D. Jacquie Duginske has been in District 300 for eight years and this is her fourth as the Director of Mathematics . Before joining the district, Jacquie spent 14 years in the classroom as an elementary teacher. When not at work, you can find Jacquie on the sidelines of a soccer game watching her teens play. “My math heroes are the District 300 Instructional Math Coaches that learn and grow every day and work with all district teachers to make math instruction engaging, relevant, and fun.”