2026 NCCTM Annual Fall Conference: Full Schedule

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

10:00am EST

We plan for the session to be a discussion of the project with opportunities for questions and answers throughout.

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

In this session, we will share information about the NC Launch Years Initiative, including an overview of the project's start as well as the organizations and people involved. Progress to date will be included as well as discussions of next steps and ways for others to participate in the work.

Speakers

Charles Aiken

Section Chief for Math, Science and STEM, NC DPI Section Chief for Math, Science, and STEM

Tracey Howell

Assistant Professor, AppState

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

All (K-12), Strand 3: Structure, Coherence & Mathematical Pathways

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

1:30pm EST

Tinker, Notice, & Discuss: Exploring Similarity with Desmos

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

Piedmont 1

Participants will engage in the Marcellus the Giant task and explore how technology can support reasoning about similarity. Through analysis of student video clips, participants will consider what teachers can notice about students’ geometric thinking, use of technology, and emerging understandings, while discussing instructional moves that support productive mathematical discourse.

Speakers

Kayla Chandler

Assistant Professor, East Carolina University

Ruby Ellis

NC State University

Michael Hoyes

NC State University

Gemma Mojica

Director of Hub for Innovation and Research in Statistics and Data Science Education, Institute for Educational Innovation, NC State University

Gemma Mojica is Director of the Hub for Innovation and Research in Statistics and Data Science Education Senior [HI-RiSE] at the Friday Institute at NC State University where she focuses on teaching and learning of statistics, data science and mathematics. She has extensive experience... Read More →

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

Secondary Middle (6-8), Strand 2: Reasoning, Discourse & Student Thinking

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

9:50am EST

Trust but Verify: A Research-Based Checklist for Reviewing AI-Generated Math Lessons

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

Piedmont 1

AI can draft a math lesson in seconds but is it accurate, aligned, and worth teaching? Participants will work in teams to audit a real AI-generated lesson using a vendor-neutral checklist grounded in emerging research and NC DPI guidance, then leave with a printable do/don't framework they can use and share with colleagues immediately.

Speakers

Meetal Shah

Instructure

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

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

11:00am EST

Access Without Limits: Supporting Students with Disabilities in Math Class

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

Piedmont 1

This session shares practical strategies to help students with disabilities access grade-level math. Participants will explore chunking, visual supports, guided practice, and structured student talk. Real examples show how to maintain high expectations while providing support. Attendees will leave with tools they can use right away.

Speakers

Carla McCain

Guilford County Schools - The Academy At Lincoln

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

All (K-12), Strand 2: Reasoning, Discourse & Student Thinking

12:10pm EST

Robot Soccer - Applying Coordinate Plane Knowledge with Spheros

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

Piedmont 1

Participants will apply their knowledge of the coordinate plane to write methods for Sphero Bolt+ robots to move in various directions. No coding experience is required, we will walk everyone through creating the methods regardless of coding experience. The methods can then be used to code the Bolt+ to move around a soccer field mat. The workshop will end with a robot soccer game.

Speakers

Jeanette Juran

STEAM Coordinator, Salem Academy

Kris Porazzi Sorrells

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

Secondary High (9-12), Strand 1: Modeling, Representations & Tinkering

1:20pm EST

Using Pictures and Stories to Solve Multi-Step Word Problems

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

Piedmont 1

Successfully tackling multi-step word problems is challenging for both the students and the teachers who teach them.

Participants will learn a fun, anxiety-free approach to solve word problems commonly found on the BEST tests through using stories and pictures. Problems will be chosen from a variety of grade-levels to demonstrate different ways to support students of all levels and abilities.

Speakers

Phyllis Hillwig

CEO, Eurekii

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

All (K-12), Strand 2: Reasoning, Discourse & Student Thinking

10:00am EST

11:10am EST

12:20pm EST

1:30pm EST

2:40pm EST

9:50am EST

11:00am EST

12:10pm EST

1:20pm EST

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