ICTM Newsletter for March 2026

Check out the FREE professional learning events and teacher resources!

Mark your calendars for our fantastic line-up of speakers and workshops!

• Pre-Conference Workshops (October 19, 2026) with Graham Fletcher and Pam Harris 

• Conference (October 20, 2026) with keynote speaker Christina Tondevold and featured speakers Graham Fletcher, Pam Harris, and Fawn Nguyen

Miss the first two sessions?

We've got you covered!

Head to our members-only video library to learn and check out all the other videos we have from previous conferences and professional leaning events!

ICTM & IA-NCSM are proud to offer the following session from Dr. Matt Larson (Former NCTM President and NCTM’s Lifetime Achievement Awardee). Navigating the False Dichotomies of Math Education - Mathematics education is replete with false dichotomies, including direct instruction vs. inquiry, processes vs. content, skills vs. concepts, student centered vs. teacher directed, and more. This session will examine how teachers of mathematics and leaders can navigate these false dichotomies to ensure each and every student not only reaches their potential in mathematics, but also develops a positive mathematical identity so they can use mathematics in their life and become a productive member of society.

This session will be held on Monday, May 11 from 8:30-9:30am during the Math Instructional Coach Network. This session will not be recorded, so mark your calendars now! No need to register, just join the Zoom link.

It's not too late to sign up! The next topic on February 9 will be around Navigating Panorama and we've invited some experts to share their wisdom with the group!

FREE! Resources for Teaching and Learning

Educators can also explore interactive demonstrations of the games, making it easier to understand how the activities work and how they support learning and retention. These resources are intended to help teachers provide engaging practice while building student confidence and understanding.

Grants

Congratulations to our NCTM travel grant awardee Melissa McAninch! Enjoy your time at the spring conference! We look forward to hearing what you learned.

Teaching and learning grants (up to $750) are available this spring. This is a great opportunity to take a class, get classroom tools or try out some new materials. Applications due March 31 and will be reviewed in early April.

The Marilyn Zweng Grant Committee was able to award 25 grants (!!!) for a total of $10,300 to brand new first year math teachers this year. Names of those receiving grants will be posted on our website. 

Read about how recipients are using their grant money below.

Becca SImmons
Hampton-Dumont South Side Elementary School, Hampton

This year, I'm really looking forward to helping my students feel more confident in math by making it hands-on and engaging. I’ve found that when students can explore math in ways that make sense to them—whether through games, manipulatives, or small group activities—they start to enjoy it more and believe in their own abilities. I want every student to feel like math is something they can do, and that it can even be fun.

The funds from this grant will go toward materials that help me meet students where they are and support them in ways that work best for them. I’m grateful for the chance to bring in resources that spark curiosity and make math feel more accessible, meaningful, and maybe even a little more enjoyable.

Sofia Steele
Mann Elementary School

I teach Preschool and Early Childhood Special Education. I plan to use this money to help get supplies for my classroom as I get it all set up for the school year.

New Resource for Teachers

Check out the newest resources on our website: Core-Plus Mathematics: Complete free 4-year high school math curriculum. The latest edition of Core-Plus Mathematics consists of student and teacher materials for a three-year core program designed for all students plus two fourth-year course options: Preparation for Calculus and Transition to College Mathematics and Statistics.

NCTM Position Statement on Fluency

Procedural fluency is an essential component of equitable teaching and is necessary to developing mathematical proficiency and mathematical agency. Each and every student must have access to teaching that connects concepts to procedures, explicitly develops a reasonable repertoire of strategies and algorithms, provides substantial opportunities for students to learn to choose from among the strategies and algorithms in their repertoire, and implements assessment practices that attend to all components of fluency.  

ICTM stands with NCTM on their position statement in regards to fluency.  

To learn more, see the full statement with descriptions on NCTM's website.

Join the Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM)

Become part of a dynamic community dedicated to supporting educators, sharing resources, and improving math teaching and learning across Iowa!

• Exclusive PD opportunities
• Networking with fellow educators
• Access to valuable teaching resources
• Advocacy for strong math education

Join today and be part of shaping the future of math education in Iowa!

Free Courses for Academically Talented Iowa Students

The Belin Blank Center’s Iowa Online AP® Academy (IOAPA) provides qualifying Iowa students free access to advanced coursework. For high school students, these courses are a part of the College Board’s Advanced Placement® (AP) program. High school-level courses are also made available to eligible middle school students. AP exam scholarships are available, with preference given to low-income students and students from rural schools.

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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