ICTM Newsletter for January 2024

Our hearts are heavy following the tragedy at Perry High School. We continue to support the Perry community and everyone impacted by the events of Thursday, January 4. 

We have a lot of PD from NCTM and ICTM in January, so check that out. Also, the Proposed Iowa Math Standards are here! See below for how you can provide feedback and possibly serve on the revisions team.

Welcome to 2024 from ICTM President Kristin Grotewold

I hope you all had a fabulous winter break to relax, recharge, and connect with family and friends. With each year that passes, I am constantly reminded of how time flies by and to hold onto those precious moments with family and friends.

As we begin a new year, the Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics is committed to...

  • organizing and supporting discussion groups and professional learning opportunities about equitable teaching practices in order to develop awareness and provide support in examining our current practices and identifying areas for growth that will improve the learning environment for all Iowa students.
  • organizing and supporting professional learning opportunities around mathematics content to support teachers in providing instruction that enables students to build deep conceptual understanding and reason mathematically.
  • organizing and supporting professional learning that embodies the implementation of NCTM’s 8 effective teaching practices and the use of instructional materials of the highest quality for all Iowa students.
  • promoting, supporting, engaging, and inspiring Iowa’s mathematics educators to connect and support one another as a community dedicated to improving teaching and learning for all students.

Our new executive board is eager to support your wants and needs as we plan for an exciting year. If you have feedback or suggestions on how we can support you, please reach out to me at ICTMPres@gmail.com.

Thanks for trusting me to be your next ICTM President and I hope to see you at all the math events soon!

~ Kristin Grotewold
K-5 Math Coach, Waukee Schools
ICTM President

    Have an Impact on Mathematics Education in Iowa

    Are you interested in sharpening your leadership skills? ICTM would love to have you volunteer to join an ICTM committee and help with the ongoing work of our organization. Committees are being formed for 2024 now, so sign up here!

    Public Forums for Proposed Updates to Iowa Math Standards

    The Iowa Department of Education is hosting a series of forums seeking public input on proposed updates to the state’s mathematics standards.

    Iowans who wish to share feedback are encouraged to review the proposed updates and attend one of the following public forums or submit comments by responding to the survey. Input from the forums and written submissions will be considered in the teams’ final recommendations to the State Board of Education.

    Public forums will be held on the following dates, times and locations:

    • January 17, Drake University, 101 Aliber Hall, 2847 University Ave., Des Moines, 6-7pm
    • January 22, Central Rivers AEA, 1521 Technology Pkwy, Cedar Falls, 6-7pm
    • January 23, Kirkwood Regional Center, 2301 Oakdale Blvd, Coralville, 6-7pm
    • January 24, Southwestern Community College Instructional Center, Room 220, 1501 W. Townline Street Creston, 6-7pm
    • January 25, NWAEA, 5800 Discovery Blvd Sioux City, 6-7pm

    Serve on the Revision Team for the Proposed Revised Iowa Math Standards

    The Department is also seeking elementary and secondary mathematics teachers, professors at institutions of higher education, parents and business and community leaders to serve on a revision team for the proposed revised state mathematics standards. This team will review and take the comments and feedback into consideration in final recommendations to the State Board of Education. Individuals interested in serving on the public comment revision team can learn more and apply by completing the Department’s online application by January 18, 2024. Tentative meeting dates are listed on the application.

    Once the updated standards are reviewed, a final standards proposal will go before the State Board of Education for consideration. If adopted, the revised mathematics standards will be required of school districts.

    2024 Professional Learning Series

    1. ICTM's 2023 Professional Learning Series was fabulous: Graham Fletcher, Dr. India White, Vanessa Vakharia, and Jennifer Bay-Williams. What do you want to see in the 2024 Professional Learning Series? Tell us by filling out this survey. 

    2. The next presentation in ICTM's Professional Learning Series on Access & Equity is 6pm on Thursday, January 18: "Building relationships: I don’t like math and I don’t like you!" by Dr. India White. Teachers will learn how to connect with students from all backgrounds through relationship building. Learn more, and register! Sponsored by Big Ideas Learning. 

    NCTM Events, Professional Development, and Resources

    1. NCTM's Best of 2023 
      Looking for new resources? NCTM has compiled a list of the most popular member resources that came from this year. View journal articles, webinars, classroom resources, and more. 

    2. Play the 2024 Year Game 
      Ring in the new year with the NCTM Year Game! See how many expressions you and your students can find from the numbers 1 to 100 using only the digits in the year 2024. If you prefer to work with a team, crowdsource solutions in the MyNCTM Community. 

    3. Classroom Conversations (Open to All) 
      In this episode of Classroom Conversations, presenters Craig Cullen and Lawrence Ssebaggala share their favorite Construct It! activity, which focuses on rate of change and functions. Join NCTM on January 11 to learn how this activity can elicit student thinking and enhance students' logical reasoning skills.  Register here. 

    4. Implementing the 5 Factors of Belonging
      Presented by Crystal M. Watson. In this January 25 NCTM webinar, participants will learn about five factors identified by children to increase their sense of belonging in math spaces. Participants will learn how to implement each factor in the classroom and use mathematical standards and practices. Register here.

    5. Unpacking Research Claims About the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics (Open to All) 
      In this January 29 session, Rachel Lambert explores how different research fields understand math, math learning, and math teaching differently and the contradicting claims about research that emerge. The intention is to help math leaders make sense of these complexities for themselves.  Register here.

    6. February MTLT Teacher Talk
      The February MTLT Teacher Talk will meet on February 6 to talk about an article from the legacy journal Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School: "Social Justice and Proportional Reasoning" by Ksenija Simic-Muller.

        Emerging Educators Academy

        The 9th annual Emerging Educators Academy will take place January 20, 2024 at Drake University. The Academy is for all first through third year teachers as well as their mentors and pre-service students. This year’s theme is "Elevating Teachers, Elevating Learning”. The Academy will feature breakout sessions on building classroom culture and community, positive learning environments, engagement strategies, and fostering a love of teaching. There are also breakout sessions focusing on ethics, educator wellness, effective communication strategies, and an award-winning Teacher Panel of Iowa teachers. Register Here.

        Apply for an ICTM Grant

        ICTM has several grants to help support your professional development:

        • ICTM Teaching & Learning Grant ($750)
        • NCTM Conference Grant ($800)

        Read about the application requirements for each and apply!

        IA-NCSM Learning Series

        The Iowa Affiliate of the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (IA-NCSM) is a great way for all Iowa math teacher leaders, instructional coaches, district specialists or administrators to connect with other job-alikes and discuss best practices in mathematics at the state and national level.

        Join IA-NCSM on January 17 from 4:15-5:00 PM for the second of six discussions "Using Mathematics Coaching to Strengthen Mathematics Instruction."

        Future virtual discussions will be on February 21, March 20 and April 17. These will not be recorded but the slide-decks will be made available. Register Here

        We Want to Hear from You!

        Do you have ideas for future emails, professional development activities, or website and social media posts? We'd love to hear from you; contact us at one of our email addresses.

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