2026 NCCTM Annual Fall Conference: Full Schedule

For all information about the Fall Conference visit the NCCTM Conference Webpage <click here>.

10:00am EST

Bar Models and Breakthroughs: Leveraging Visual Representations to Make Sense of Word Problems

Thursday November 5, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EST

Unlock the power of bar modeling to transform how students think about math! Dive into the model method as a dynamic visual strategy for building problem-solving skills. Discover how bar models move learners from simple to complex problems, promote true sense-making, and reveal mathematical relationships. Explore connections across grades K-8 to cultivate mathematically proficient problem solvers.

Speakers

Kelly Reigle

Union County Public Schools

Thursday November 5, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EST
Salem 3B

Elementary (K-5), Strand 1: Modeling, Representations & Tinkering

10:00am EST

Joyful Learning Through Arts Integration

Thursday November 5, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EST

Winston 1C

Participants will engage in arts integrated math projects and explore how to use math vocabulary as a starting point and create a sample to take back to their classroom.

Speakers

Amy Brown

ArtSpace Charter School

Melanie Meador

ArtSpace Charter School

Thursday November 5, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EST
Winston 1C

Elementary (K-5), Strand 4: Productive Habits, Identity & Joyful Learning

10:00am EST

Talk That Counts: Enhancing Math Discourse for Deeper Conceptual Insight

Thursday November 5, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EST

Conference 2

How can mathematical discourse empower all learners? Together, we’ll explore practical routines that shift math conversations to students and create classrooms where discourse feels natural, safe, and accessible for everyone. Participants will experience strategies that deepen reasoning, support sense-making, and empower students to explain ideas, inquire, and engage in mathematical thinking.

Speakers

MINDeducation

Thursday November 5, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EST
Conference 2

Elementary (K-5), Strand 2: Reasoning, Discourse & Student Thinking

10:00am EST

Using Mathematical Talk and Game Play to Support Students with Fact Fluency

Thursday November 5, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EST

Piedmont 2

This session provides opportunities for participants to play and analyze math games and discuss how math games provide natural opportunities for discussing math concepts. Participants will play games, engage in conversations on how to leverage the games to promote students’ reasoning and discussions about mathematical ideas, and consider how to sequence the games to promote fluency.

Speakers

Madelyn Colonnese

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Adrianne Blackwelder

K-12 Math Lead, Davie County Schools

From the elementary classroom, to supporting in-service and pre-service teachers, Adrianne brings a passion for reaching all students regardless of age or background. This same passion led Adrianne to pursue a doctorate in the area of Curriculum and Instruction. As an MTSS consultant... Read More →

Drew Polly

Thursday November 5, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EST
Piedmont 2

Elementary (K-5), Strand 2: Reasoning, Discourse & Student Thinking

11:10am EST

Let's Give 'Em Something to Talk About

Thursday November 5, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm EST

Conference 2

This interactive session explores strategies to increase student discourse and engagement in math classrooms. Participants will experience structured talk routines, analyze student work, and practice facilitating meaningful discussions. The focus is on equitable participation, reasoning, and building a classroom culture where all students confidently share their thinking.

Speakers

Jennifer Smith

2nd grade, Asheboro City Schools

Kerry Garner

Asheboro City Schools

Thursday November 5, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm EST
Conference 2

Elementary (K-5), Strand 2: Reasoning, Discourse & Student Thinking

11:10am EST

Making Math Meaningful: Using the CRA Model & Math Tools with Purpose

Thursday November 5, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm EST

Salem 1C

Participants will explore how the Concrete–Representational–Abstract (CRA) model builds conceptual understanding in mathematics. Through hands-on learning and collaboration, educators will experience how purposeful use of math tools, visual models, and strategies increases access, engagement, problem-solving, and equity while empowering all students to make sense of mathematics.

Speakers

Laurie Fazio

K-5 District Math Specialist, Cabarrus County Schools

Laurie Fazio is the Elementary District Math Specialist for Cabarrus County Schools in North Carolina, bringing over 30 years of experience in education to her role. Known for her passion for mathematics education, Laurie has made significant contributions as a presenter at the National... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm EST
Salem 1C

Elementary (K-5), Strand 1: Modeling, Representations & Tinkering

11:10am EST

Tinker, Talk, Discover: Cuisenaire Rods Across K–8

Thursday November 5, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm EST

Winston 1A

Tinker Together with Cuisenaire Rods! Explore how these simple tools can deepen mathematical thinking across K–8 classrooms. Experience hands-on tasks that build number sense, reveal patterns, strengthen reasoning, and connect concepts through play, exploration, and meaningful discussion.

Speakers

Angie Meredith-Ridgeway

Educational Specialist, hand2mind

I am passionate about mathematics education – especially at the elementary and middle school level. As a previous awardee of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching, Georgia Roundtable Award for Excellence in Math Teaching, as well as the Award... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm EST
Winston 1A

Elementary (K-5), Strand 1: Modeling, Representations & Tinkering

11:10am EST

Tinkering With Purpose: Centering Students Through Discourse, Data, and Meaningful Math

Thursday November 5, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm EST

Piedmont 1

As North Carolina prepares for new math standards, this hands-on session invites PK–8 educators to tinker with tasks, discourse, and data-informed supports that elevate student thinking. Explore adaptive learning and inquiry-driven strategies that promote reasoning, equity, and joyful engagement in mathematics.

Speakers

Shannon Vickers

Heinemann Content Specialist, Heinemann

Shannon Vickers is a Content Specialist at Heinemann who brings 16 years of classroom and instructional leadership experience to her work with educators. A University of Kansas graduate, she served as a teacher, instructional coach, and curriculum specialist in Houston, Texas, where... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm EST
Piedmont 1

Elementary (K-5), Strand 2: Reasoning, Discourse & Student Thinking

12:20pm EST

Teaching Through Tasks Making Mathematical Practices Visible

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:20pm - 1:20pm EST

Piedmont 1

Learn how task based instruction supports Mathematical Practices in daily lessons. Explore how rich tasks, including open middle examples, can highlight multiple practices while promoting reasoning, discourse, and multiple approaches.

Speakers

Rachel Hester

HMH

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:20pm - 1:20pm EST
Piedmont 1

Elementary (K-5), Strand 2: Reasoning, Discourse & Student Thinking

12:20pm EST

The Journey to Mathematical Fluency

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:20pm - 1:20pm EST

Piedmont 3

We all want our students to be fluent mathematicians but how do we support them in reaching this goal? Join us in examining the intentionally designed progression of K-5 standards that build this journey to fluency of whole number operations and leave with tools and tasks to share with members of your learning community.

Speakers

Daniel Greco

WCPSS/Timber Drive Elementary

Lesley Holley

Instructional Math Coach, Beaufort County Schools

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:20pm - 1:20pm EST
Piedmont 3

Elementary (K-5), Strand 3: Structure, Coherence & Mathematical Pathways

1:30pm EST

Engaging in Data Reasoning K-5

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EST

Winston 1A

In this session we will explore interdisciplinary ways of incorporating data reasoning in K-5 classrooms connecting content in mathematics, science, social studies and literacy aligned with the proposed edits to the K-5 standards. Participants will engage in data reasoning activities in small groups with whole group discussions. Resources will be provided that can be used in your classrooms.

Speakers

Laura Shelton

Marist University

Travis Weiland

Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina Charlotte

My career in education began with teaching high school mathematics in the mountains of Western North Carolina. During that time, I began working on a master's degree, which included graduate courses in statistics. I had never taken a course in statistics for my undergraduate course... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EST
Winston 1A

Elementary (K-5), Strand 5: Data Science, Technology & K–12 Pathways

1:30pm EST

It Takes a Team: How Collaboration Transforms Math Outcomes for Students

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EST

Salem 1C

Improving math outcomes takes a team. Join an administrator, math specialist, interventionist, and teacher as we share how collaboration drives student success. Participants will analyze student work, engage in PLC-style data discussions, explore intervention decisions, and collaborate on action steps while gaining practical tools and strategies they can implement immediately.

Speakers

Codi Kent

Codi Kent, Mountain Island Charter School

Chantal vinson

Mountain Island Charter School

Stephanie Jordan

Mountain Island Charter School

Courtney Reyes

Mountain Island Charter School

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EST
Salem 1C

Elementary (K-5), Strand 6: Leadership for Installation, Implementation & Collective Impact

1:30pm EST

More than Answers; Building Mathematical Identity in K-5

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EST

Salem 3B

Participants will explore how problem-based learning and coherent storytelling in Illustrative Mathematics classrooms build deep understanding, perseverance, and mathematical identity. Through collaborative routines and sense-making experiences, educators will examine how teaching the “why” before the “how” fosters joyful classrooms where all students see themselves as capable mathematicians.

Speakers

Thomas Stricklin

Thursday November 5, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EST
Salem 3B

Elementary (K-5), Strand 4: Productive Habits, Identity & Joyful Learning

2:40pm EST

Abs Everyday: Daily habits and the importance of routine to teach deep foundational number sense

Thursday November 5, 2026 2:40pm - 3:40pm EST

Piedmont 1

Gym rats know: Abdominal muscles recover quickly and are foundational to all other movement.
Teachers create the habits of the classroom. How do we develop deep foundational number sense that impacts virtually all of analytical thinking? What are "The Abs of arithmetic". We will present our argument for quick, engaging visual and structural daily routines that reliably build thinking over time.

Speakers

Stacy Eleczko

K-8 Math Consultant, Co-author of The Fire & Wire Way, Math Consultant

Valerie Faulkner

Educational Consultant, Retired - NC State/Wake County/DHHS/Durham County

Thursday November 5, 2026 2:40pm - 3:40pm EST
Piedmont 1

Elementary (K-5), Strand 4: Productive Habits, Identity & Joyful Learning

2:40pm EST

Building LEGO Models to Prove MathUnderstanding

Thursday November 5, 2026 2:40pm - 3:40pm EST

Boardroom

Participants will experience model building to prove ideas behind math concepts such as place value, fractions, and computational skills.

Speakers

Shirley Disseler

Professor and CEO BrickED, Catawba College and BrickEd Academy for Learning

I am the author of Brick Math Series and the CEO of BrickEd & More. I am an adjunct professor at HPU and Catawba College, where I teach math methods, design thinking for teachers, and Robotics for teachers. If you are interested in math training, Brick Math, or field trips to BrickEd... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 2:40pm - 3:40pm EST
Boardroom

Elementary (K-5), Strand 1: Modeling, Representations & Tinkering

2:40pm EST

From Compliance to Curiosity: Building Productive Math Habits Through Joyful Learning

Thursday November 5, 2026 2:40pm - 3:40pm EST

Winston 3B

In this interactive session, participants will experience classroom routines that build perseverance, precision, sense-making, and productive struggle while strengthening student identity and belonging.

Speakers

Olivia Monroy

Halifax COunty Schools

Rizal Tinaza

K-5 PEH Teacher, Halifax County Schools

Hazel Vargas

Halifax County Schools

Alda Paclauna

Thursday November 5, 2026 2:40pm - 3:40pm EST
Winston 3B

Elementary (K-5), Strand 4: Productive Habits, Identity & Joyful Learning

2:40pm EST

Sharing the Mic: Power and Talk in the Math Classroom

Thursday November 5, 2026 2:40pm - 3:40pm EST

Salem 3B

Most teachers want student-led talk, yet they often dominate the conversation. This session shares findings from my study of 10 educators on discourse and their instructional visions—what they believe ideally happens in a math classroom. We examine how the balance of power affects discussion. Learn to reframe your authority to empower student voices and create inclusive, talk-rich math spaces.

Speakers

Emily Chandrasekhar

UNCG

Emily is a mathematics educator and doctoral candidate with a research focus on the interplay of discourse and authority in math classrooms. Drawing on extensive experience in teaching, curriculum development, coaching, and professional development, she is excited to be part of the... Read More →

Thursday November 5, 2026 2:40pm - 3:40pm EST
Salem 3B

Elementary (K-5), Strand 2: Reasoning, Discourse & Student Thinking

9:50am EST

Math Main Idea: Making Sense of Math Stories

Friday November 6, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am EST

Salem 3B

This session will focus on how the math main idea is the missing piece that bridges the gap for students who struggle to comprehend what they are being asked to figure out in a number story. Teachers will engage in hands on collaborative activities that will enhance their understanding of the math main idea and will participate in turn and talk activities to clarify ideas.

Speakers

Julie Russo

Owner-Structures of Equality, K-5 Math Consultant and Author of The Fire & Wire Way-Daily Routines to Sytematically Build Foundational Number Sense and Structures of Equality-Putting comprenhension first: A framework for teaching word problems (release date summer 2026)

Friday November 6, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am EST
Salem 3B

Elementary (K-5), Strand 2: Reasoning, Discourse & Student Thinking

9:50am EST

The Future of Core Curriculum: The one-size-fits all era is over

Friday November 6, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am EST

Salem 1A

Explore how schools are moving beyond one-size-fits-all instruction toward a more personalized approach to math learning. In this session, you’ll discover strategies for combining core instruction, differentiation, assessment, and real-time data to better support every learner and drive stronger student outcomes.

Speakers

Casey Ball

IXL Learning

Friday November 6, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am EST
Salem 1A

Elementary (K-5), Strand 6: Leadership for Installation, Implementation & Collective Impact

9:50am EST

The Power of Productive Struggle

Friday November 6, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am EST

Winston 1A

What happens when we stop rescuing students and start building perseverance? In this interactive session, participants will tackle a rich math task, explore powerful questioning strategies, and experience how productive struggle transforms student thinking, engagement, and ownership in the math classroom.

Speakers

Catherine Bayliss

Roger Bell New Tech Academy, Craven County Schools

Laura Wilson

Roger Bell New Tech Academy, Craven County Schools

Friday November 6, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am EST
Winston 1A

Elementary (K-5), Strand 2: Reasoning, Discourse & Student Thinking

9:50am EST

Tinkering with Data: Leveraging Student Thinking to Drive Daily Math Moves

Friday November 6, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am EST

Salem 1B

What happens after the data meeting ends? This session invites educators to tinker together with student data to move from results to responsive instruction. Participants use a 4 Square Data Dig Protocol to analyze student thinking, identify misconceptions, and guide instructional moves while engaging students in making sense of their own errors.

Speakers

Caroline Graebe

Turner Creek Elementary

Susan Hanson

Friday November 6, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am EST
Salem 1B

Elementary (K-5), Strand 6: Leadership for Installation, Implementation & Collective Impact

11:00am EST

From Models to Meaning: Insights on Fraction Learning Through Patterns® Professional Learning

Friday November 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EST

Winston 2

Teachers will engage in student-facing fraction tasks that deepen understanding of elementary fraction concepts using multiple representations, visual models, and collaborative problem solving. Drawing on outcomes from 70+ teacher participants in Carnegie Learning’s 30-hour Patterns course, this session highlights how rich fraction experiences strengthen reasoning about magnitude and equivalence.

Speakers

Jill DePiper

WestEd

Ashli-Ann Douglas

WestEd

Stephanie Fiocca

NCDPI

Friday November 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
Winston 2

Elementary (K-5), Strand 1: Modeling, Representations & Tinkering

11:00am EST

Students Love a Challenge: Game On!

Friday November 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EST

Salem 2

Discover how to boost engagement and deepen mathematical thinking through purposeful games in K–5 classrooms. This session explores strategies for using games to build fluency, problem-solving, and collaboration—turning practice into meaningful, motivating learning experiences for all students.

Speakers

Shawn Miller

DC Virgo Preparatory Academy -UNCW Lab School

Friday November 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
Salem 2

Elementary (K-5), Strand 4: Productive Habits, Identity & Joyful Learning

11:00am EST

The Art of the Math Warm-Up: Music, Visual Arts, and Mathematical Thinking

Friday November 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EST

Salem 3C

Explore how music and visual arts can transform K–5 math warm-ups into engaging learning experiences. Participants will experience arts-integrated routines aligned to elementary math standards that promote creativity, discourse, representation, and problem-solving. Attendees will leave with classroom-ready activities that build mathematical thinking through music, visual art, and collaboration.

Speakers

Ashley Tate

Friday November 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
Salem 3C

Elementary (K-5), Strand 1: Modeling, Representations & Tinkering

11:00am EST

Tinker Like a Student: Feeling the Struggle of Learning Place Value

Friday November 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EST

Salem 1C

Participants will explore place value through a hands-on base 5 lesson designed to mirror the experience of students learning mathematics for the first time. Through modeling, discourse, and problem solving, participants will reflect on productive struggle and examine concrete strategies, representations, and instructional routines that strengthen place value understanding in the base 10 system.

Speakers

Katrina Cade Perry

Friday November 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
Salem 1C

Elementary (K-5), Strand 1: Modeling, Representations & Tinkering

11:00am EST

Tinkering with Manipulatives: Modeling Mistakes to Learn

Friday November 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EST

Winston 3C

Participants will hands‑on tinker with manipulatives to intentionally build incorrect solutions, record and categorize those error models, and analyze the class “data” to surface common misconception patterns. Through guided discussion and quick routines, teachers practice facilitation moves and leave with ready prompts, and corrective reasoning strategies to use tomorrow.

Speakers

Dustin Best

Elementary Math Coordinator, Hoke County Schools

Robyn Peters

Academic Coach, Scurlock Elementary

Friday November 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
Winston 3C

Elementary (K-5), Strand 1: Modeling, Representations & Tinkering

12:10pm EST

Game On! Enhance K-8 Math and Language by “Tinkering” with Hands On Games

Friday November 6, 2026 12:10pm - 1:10pm EST

Piedmont 3

Discover how math games act as the ultimate "tinkering" tools. This session explores how hands-on games raise the bar for mathematical communication. Dive into ready-to-use activities that boost mental math, foster peer-to-peer discourse, and turn skill practice into a playful, collaborative exploration.

Speakers

Latonya Simpson

Savvas Learning Company

Friday November 6, 2026 12:10pm - 1:10pm EST
Piedmont 3

Elementary (K-5), Strand 1: Modeling, Representations & Tinkering

12:10pm EST

Making Math Visible: Using C-R-A as a Hands-On Pathway to Deepen Mathematical Reasoning

Friday November 6, 2026 12:10pm - 1:10pm EST

Salem 3A

Explore how the Concrete–Representational–Abstract (C-R-A) framework helps students build deep mathematical understanding through hands-on exploration, visual models, and symbolic reasoning. Participants will engage in grade-band tasks while exploring strategies that promote reasoning, discourse, equitable access, and meaningful student thinking in mathematics.

Speakers

Marcie Boutin

Sandy Grove Elementary School, Hoke County Schools, Raeford, NC

Nadia Bennett

Don Steed Elementary, Hoke County Schools, Raeford, NC

Friday November 6, 2026 12:10pm - 1:10pm EST
Salem 3A

Elementary (K-5), Strand 1: Modeling, Representations & Tinkering

1:20pm EST

Math All Around Us: Using Ecology and Geography to Teach K-5 Mathematics Concepts

Friday November 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm EST

Boardroom

Engage in memorable, hands-on activities that integrate math with age-appropriate geography and ecology to learn more about our human footprint on the Earth and its resources. Build students’ skills in working with fractions, ratios, large numbers, growth patterns, measurement, and graphing using real-world data. Receive electronic lesson plans matched to state standards.

Speakers

Tomika Altman

Friday November 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm EST
Boardroom

Elementary (K-5), Strand 1: Modeling, Representations & Tinkering

1:20pm EST

Place Naming Isn't Place Value: Rethinking Place Value Knowledge

Friday November 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm EST

Salem 1C

This interactive session explores differences between place-naming (e.g., identifying the digit in the 'thousands place') and true place value undersatnding. Together we will consider ways to better assess students' understanding of the relationships between units within our number system. Attendees will leave with practical strategies and ready-to-use routines for the classroom.

Speakers

Tacey Miller

Doctoral Candidate/Graduate Assistant, North Carolina State University

Tacey is a current doctoral candidate at NC State University. Her current research interests include instructional routines, number sense, and numerical magnitude.

Friday November 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm EST
Salem 1C

Elementary (K-5), Strand 2: Reasoning, Discourse & Student Thinking

1:20pm EST

Show Me Your Way: Connecting Student Thinking During Problem Solving

Friday November 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm EST

Winston 2

Learn how to make student thinking visible in your classroom. A balanced math curriculum includes opportunities for students to apply prior knowledge to solve real-world problems. Join us to explore how open-middle and low-floor, high-ceiling tasks in Eureka Math² spark curiosity, promote reasoning, and encourage discourse.

Speakers

Elonzo Imes

Great Minds

Friday November 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm EST
Winston 2

Elementary (K-5), Strand 1: Modeling, Representations & Tinkering

1:20pm EST

The Building Thinking Classrooms Model: Promoting Discourse and Collaborative Problem Solving

Friday November 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm EST

Salem 3B

Participants will engage in the Building Thinking Classrooms model as outlined by author Peter Liljedahl in his book Randomized groups will solve problems on non-permanent vertical spaces and a synthesis of mathematical strategies and participant observations will follow. Student created rubrics, authentic note taking, and check your understanding methods will also be presented.

Speakers

Tara Hammond

Henderson County Public Schools

Lena Robertson

Henderson County Public Schools

Friday November 6, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm EST
Salem 3B

Elementary (K-5), Strand 2: Reasoning, Discourse & Student Thinking

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