In this issue:
This edition of Washington Mathematics includes member benefits, upcoming conferences, and member highlights. We focus on leveraging multiple math competencies as an equity-based practice, and highlight another book we love, Building Thinking Classrooms by Peter LIljedahl. We also ask you for feedback to help us shape future newsletters.
We appreciate all of our members! We'd like to welcome the newest members, celebrate the long-time members, and encourage everyone else to look into the benefits of becoming a member. Please consider renewing or joining the WSMC community.
The newsletter is best viewed on a larger screen. On a computer or tablet if you click "view in browser" (above) you'll see a Table of Contents to the left that can be clicked for navigation.
- President's Message - Maryke Haynes
- 5-Equity Based Practices - Monique Cabellon
- Meme of the Moment - Howie Hua
- WSMC Board Member Elections - Upcoming
- Fluency Feature - OSPI (reprint)
- Member Highlight - Cheryl MacIntyre
- Northwest Math Conference - Tacoma 2025
- Quarterly Quandary - PI DAY
- A Book We Love - Building Thinking Classrooms
- 2025 High School Math Contest - MARCH 11 or 12
- Rita Lowe Scholarship - Apply by March 31
- Prizes and Opportunities
- Professional Development and Clock Hours
- WSMC Details and Announcements
I recently had the opportunity to view the Counted Out documentary by Vicki Abeles in a screening arranged by University of Puget Sound, followed by a panel that included WSMC member Tim Chalberg. The film itself presents a case for why math is an important part of being a citizen in the community. Combined with the WSMC Board’s Book study of The Impact of Identity in K-12 Mathematics: Rethinking Equity-Based Practices by Julia Aguirre, Karen Mayfield-Ingram and Danny Bernard Martin and our Member Roundtables featuring Francis Su’s Mathematics for Human Flourishing, it is clear that all humans NEED to believe they can learn and find value in mathematics.
The most encouraging part of the screening and panel was that the teachers were outnumbered by community members, partners and industry folks. Abeles brought forward many of our current strategies to develop an interest in mathematics and support students in engaging discourse. The film also discusses current issues that are better understood by using mathematics to reveal the patterns and relationships that only math can show us. Some of the topics highlighted are also featured in OSPI’s Modeling Our World With Mathematics.
Currently, Counted Out is only seen through privately arranged screenings, which are starting to pop up in Washington and more are in the works!
Our goal as a council is to foster a love of math and to encourage the belief that all can learn and find value in mathematics. In November, we learned of the passing of a long time WSMC Board Member, Bob Robinson. Bob is the reason I became involved with WSMC and joined the Board. I met him at the membership table at a Portland NW Math Conference when I was working in a smaller district that did not offer as much PD as I was used to. Bob convinced me the WSMC would offer me the opportunity to connect with educators from other areas and stay informed. Bob was the Chair of the first Northwest Mathematics Conference I served on the committee of and always made sure to include me in the conversations. Bob always took me seriously, even as a young professional who just kept saying “yes” when asked to help. It is safe to say, that many of the things I do today in the state-wide math community, and in support of the belief that all of us can learn and find value in math, are because of Bob. I will forever be grateful that he got me to say “yes”.
May Spring bring you hope and energy!
Maryke Nau Haynes
WSMC President
(from the Impact of Identity in K-12 Mathematics by Aguirre, Mayfield-Ingram, & Martin)
Going deep with mathematics - (see Fall Newsletter)
Leveraging multiple mathematical competencies- (Current Focus)
Affirming mathematics learners’ identities - (see Back-to-School Newsletter)
Challenging spaces of marginality
Drawing on multiple resources of knowledge
This Fluency Feature is reprinted directly from the OSPI Mathematics Newsletter, February 21, 2025.
Fluently Building Place Value with Jennifer Bay-Williams: Dynamic Professional Learning Opportunities in both Eastern and Western Washington
The math team has just contracted with Dr. Jennifer Bay-Williams to provide professional learning math fluency through efficient, flexible, and accurate strategies connected to K-2 place value math standards.
“Real fluency is the ability to select efficient strategies; to adapt, modify, or change out strategies; and to find solutions with accuracy. Real fluency is not the act of replicating someone else’s steps or procedures for doing mathematics. It is the act of thinking, reasoning, and doing mathematics on one’s own” (SanGiovanni, et. al. 2024).
We would love to personally invite educators, administrators, grade level teams, K-2 teams, and school staff that support K-2 math instruction to join us in this professional learning that pairs in-person PL with Dr. Bay-Williams in March and June with virtual community of practice sessions between in-person events. Flexible approaches in mathematics support student understanding, autonomy, and build conceptual understanding toward procedural understanding for all students. As students learn different mathematical strategies, these dove tail with tenants of UDL through student choice.
There is no cost for participation. Districts will be responsible for fees related to substitute coverage for in-person portions of the professional learning opportunity.
Register by March 6, 2026! Register Here
Please reach out to Laura Grant (laura.grant@k12.wa.us) or Serena O’Neill (serena.oneill@k12.wa.us) if you have questions
Eastern Washington Events
March 12 and June 6, 2025
9:00 am – 3:00 pm to accommodate traveling to and from the event
The Philanthropic Center
1020 W Riverside Ave
Spokane, WA 99201
Western Washington Events
March 13 and June 5, 2025
9:00 am – 3:00 pm to accommodate traveling to and from the event
Capital Region ESD 113
6005 Tyee Dr SW
Tumwater, WA 98512
Virtual Community of Practice Sessions
There will be at least 4 community of practice virtual sessions hosted by OSPI. The events will be after school for 90 minutes to facilitate discussion, collaboration, and reflection. Dates are to be determined and will be included in the OSPI Fluently Building Place Value Canvas course and pdEnroller event.
Get to know the WSMC Board: Cheryl MacIntyre
What is current role with WSMC? What other roles have you held? My current role is WSMC Past-President, I have also served as WSMC President and WSMC Secretary.
What is current job? I am currently a middle school math teacher in SW Washington. This is my first year back in the classroom after 10 years of being an instructional coach.
What are you most proud of in your current job? I am most proud when I spark curiosity in a student. I love it when students realize that there is something deeper in the math that they are looking at, and want to investigate whatever that is. I love it when students feel joy in math.
What are you currently working on in your career? I am always working on the craft of my teaching, I am always trying to better learn how to engage all of my students, regardless of their backgrounds and history with math. I am also currently working on my administrative certification.
What do you enjoy outside of you career? Outside of my career, I love spending time with my family. I also enjoy traveling, hiking, and exploring new places.
If you weren’t teaching, what would you be doing? If I wasn't teaching or in education, I think I would be in the STEM field. I enjoy science and engineering, and almost went that route in college. In the end though, my love for working with kids won out.
Building Thinking Classroms in Mathematics
by: Peter Liljedahl
Building Thinking Classrooms offers mathematics teachers at all levels a guide to transforming classrooms into dynamic spaces where high levels of meaningful student engagement and constant critical thinking are at the forefront of instruction almost every day. Based on his team's extensive research and classroom experience, Liljedahl outlines 14 strategies that have proven effective in promoting deep mathematical thinking. These include random groupings, problem-based learning, and using vertical non-permanent surfaces, all aimed at fostering meaningful discourse, collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
A key strength of the book is its focus on creating a classroom culture where high-level mathematical discourse is taught and practiced, where students are learning to communicate and collaborate, and where mistakes are valued as part of the learning process. Liljedahl challenges the traditional emphasis on right answers, advocating instead for environments where students are encouraged to take risks and explore complex problems. This shift not only enhances students' mathematical understanding and builds a mindset that values the process of learning, but also develops better communication skills in students.
The strategies presented are highly adaptable, making the book useful for math teachers at all levels, from elementary to high school. Whether you teach 3rd grade or calculus, Liljedahl’s methods can be easily implemented to engage students and support diverse learning needs. These methods are even being adapted for use in other disciplines.
Building Thinking Classrooms is an essential read for any math educator looking to inspire deeper thinking, communication and collaboration, and a love for mathematics in their students. Fourteen strategies may seem daunting for full time teachers who already have too much to do, but Liljedahl breaks them down into toolkits and gives instructions how to slowly adopt the strategies over time. With these actionable strategies and toolkits, he offers the tools necessary to transform any classroom into a hub of mathematical inquiry.
For more information, check out this Building Thinking Classrooms homepage. Also for great professional development, check the OSPI newsletter for Liljedahl workshops coming up around Washington state and check out this 3rd Annual Summer BTC Conference in Renton WA, June 30-July 1.
WSMC Member Supports….
WSMC Educator Support Fund
The Washington State Mathematics Council provides funds to support mathematics-related initiatives, identified by members via an application. Individual awards range from $50 to $500.
Awards
Washington State Mathematics Council supports outstanding math educators by offering three awards. Two WSMC members, each an outstanding mathematics educator, are honored annually. The Hall of Fame Award is given to honor an outstanding contributor to the field of mathematics education, one who has given time and effort over a long period of time (ten years or more).
Rita Lowe Scholarships
WSMC gives annual scholarships in the amount of $1000, awarded to:
- High school students planning to become math teachers
- College students planning to become math teachers, and
- Math teachers pursuing further professional growth.
Membership Benefits
Discounted registration to the NWMC conference*
Frequent drawings for free books and other swag at conferences, PD offerings, and/or through quarterly newsletters.
Make connections to math educators across the state.
Upcoming opportunities for free clock hours.
- Click here to join, renew or donate. Membership is only $25 a year!
Email: wsmcboard@gmail.com
Website: http://www.wsmc.net/
