ICTM Newsletter for May 2026

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Go to an ICTM Pre-Conference Workshop and the Annual Conference! 

It All Boils Down to One Thing: Getting Students Thinking Mathematically 

Keynote Session with Christina Tondevold (1:00pm-2:10pm)

Educators today are pulled in a hundred directions - new programs, new strategies, new mandates. But underneath all of it is one simple goal: getting students to think mathematically. In this keynote, Christina Tondevold shares her own reckoning with that truth, unpacks the research behind why mathematical thinking matters, and helps you see that what you're already doing is more connected, and more powerful, than you realize. You'll get clarity, not more to-do's.

Now accepting proposals for sessions at our annual conference on October 20!

ICTM turns 60 this year!

To celebrate, early bird conference registration is $60 for members!

Join us at a Pre-Conference Workshop on Monday, October 19

Foundations of Numerical Reasoning K–5: Building Fluency that Scales Across the Grades with Graham Fletcher

In elementary math, the goal is not faster answers. It is stronger thinking. This one-day workshop is designed for teachers and math leads and focuses on how students develop number sense and reasoning across K–5. Rather than memorizing steps or collecting strategies, we will explore how understanding grows through patterns, relationships, and meaningful problem-solving.  Using rich tasks, classroom video, and student work, we will examine key progressions from counting and part-whole thinking to multiplication, division, and early fractions.  We will focus on how to notice student thinking and respond in ways that move it forward without rushing to procedures.  Participants will leave with practical routines, clearer progressions, and a stronger lens for supporting student thinking across classrooms.

Developing Mathematical Reasoning with Pam Harris

Many of our students have learned that math is rote memorizing and mimicking procedures to get answers. While algorithms are amazing historic achievements, they have been terrible teaching tools because they can trap students in limited, less-sophisticated reasoning. In this workshop, author Pam Harris invites us to reimagine math instruction in grades 6-12—avoiding the trap of algorithms and teaching students to reason like mathematicians, getting better results for more students.

Real talk. Real classrooms. Real math.

Two math instructional coaches.

A lot of questions.

Zero pretending to have all the answers. 😉

Born from their Math Coaching Network supporting the Math Counts Act, this podcast brings quick, engaging recaps and real reflections on the work happening in classrooms across Iowa.

✨ Bite-sized.

✨ Down-to-earth.

✨ Actually helpful.

They’re learning on the fly and sharing it all so you can stay connected—without adding one more thing to your plate.

Summer Geometry Course for 6-12 Teachers

This summer, Drake is offering a course, Geometry for 6–12 Teachers, as an independent study that fulfills the geometry requirement for the secondary math education endorsement and is open to in-service teachers. In this course, you’ll explore essential geometry topics similar to those you will teach in the classroom, including two- and three-dimensional shapes, area and volume, and the use of tools such as GeoGebra and programming. No prior programming experience is required. The course runs for seven weeks, from May 18 to July 1. Meetings will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays (with some exceptions) and will last about 1 to 1.25 hours per session. The planned meeting time is 8:00–9:15 AM (subject to change to accommodate participants), and sessions will be conducted virtually via Zoom. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, you will complete assigned work independently. If you're interested in taking this course, please contact Dr. Hyejin Park at hyejin.park@drake.edu. Feel free to reach out with any questions.

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!

Grants

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 June 30 and will be reviewed in early July.

Marilyn Zweng First Year Teacher Grant

Each fall, the Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM) will award up to 15 grants of $500 or $300 to support teachers that will be starting their first year teaching in Iowa. A grant of $500 is available to those teachers who are teaching mathematics full time. For those teachers who are teaching mathematics less than 50% of the day, a grant of $300 is available.

A one-year membership to ICTM will be included with the grant. This grant program is a part of the ICTM Marilyn Zweng Memorial Fund and is designed to support first year teachers who teach mathematics as they begin their career.

All new teachers that will be teaching for the first time this year in an Iowa school district and teaching mathematics as part of their assignment are eligible to apply for this grant.

Marilyn Zweng First Year Teacher Grant applications are due August 20, 2026.

Bettendorf High School's Teaching & Learning Grant

Through ICTM's Teaching and Learning Grant, Bettendorf High School was able to purchase textbooks and offer a new math course this year focused on financial literacy - with a mathematical approach rather than economics or social studies. Read about their experience.

Read about Melissa McAninch's attendance at the NCTM Conference in Indianapolis made possible through an ICTM travel grant.

"This grant allowed me to learn more about current trends and research in mathematics education in this huge in-person conference. I strongly recommend that every mathematics educator attend an NCTM conference at least once, if not multiple times during their career!"

Know a fabulous mathematics educator in Iowa? Nominate them for one of our awards! Nominations are accepted throughout the year and awards are presented at our annual conference.

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.

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.

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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