CRAFTING INQUIRY 2024
SPEAKER AND SESSION INFORMATION
CONFERENCE DESCRIPTION
How can we ignite a love for mathematics in every elementary student? Join Jo Boaler and Cathy Williams, cofounders of youcubed.org, for an inspiring one-day conference designed for K-6 educators and leaders seeking to revolutionize their math classrooms. This workshop will delve into research-backed strategies that promote a growth mindset, deepen conceptual understanding, and foster collaborative problem-solving skills among students. Participants will explore the power of rich mathematical tasks and learn effective methods to turn mistakes into learning opportunities. Discover how to create an inclusive learning environment where all students, regardless of background, can excel and find joy in mathematics.
Throughout the day, we will address key questions such as: How can educators cultivate a growth mindset in themselves and their students? What are the best practices for promoting conceptual understanding over rote memorization? How can we leverage mistakes as opportunities for deeper learning? This workshop promises practical insights, collaborative discussions, and hands-on activities that will empower educators to transform their approach to teaching mathematics.
SPEAKER BIOS
Jo Boaler
Nomellini & Olivier Professor of Education at Stanford University and Co-founder of youcubed.org
Dr Jo Boaler is the Nomellini & Olivier Professor of Education at Stanford University. Former roles have included being the Marie Curie Professor of Mathematics Education in England, and a maths teacher in London comprehensive schools. Her PhD won the national award for educational research in the UK. She is an elected fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (Great Britain), and a former president of the International Organization for Women and Mathematics Education (IOWME). She is the recipient of a National Science Foundation ‘Early Career Award’, the NCSM Kay Gilliland Equity Award (2014) and the CMC Walter Denham Mathematics Leadership award (2015). She is the author of nineteen books and numerous research articles. She is a White House presenter on women and girls. She co-founded www.youcubed.org to give teachers, parents and students the resources and ideas they need to inspire and excite students about mathematics. Her work has been published in the New York Times, TIME magazine, The Telegraph, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal and many other news outlets. Her latest book is Math-ish: Finding Creativity, Diversity and Meaning in Mathematics published by Harper Collins. She is currently co-leading a K-12 Data Science Initiative and was named as one of the 8 educators “changing the face of education” by the BBC. Her Stanford faculty webpage can be found here.
Cathy Williams
Co-Founder and the Executive Director of youcubed.org
Cathy Williams is the Co-Founder and the Executive Director of youcubed. Previously Cathy served as the Director of K-12 Mathematics in the Vista Unified School District where her professional development series earned a California State Golden Bell Award. The professional development in Vista Unified included a unique technology infused K-12 mathematics program that provided workshops for parents, teachers and administrators, and included talks and coaching by Jo Boaler. Cathy’s former roles have included a high school mathematics teacher, AVID coordinator, and mathematics department chair and district curriculum leader over an 18-year span before she became a curriculum and instruction administrator in 2003. Cathy served for seven years as the San Diego County Office of Education K-12 Mathematics Coordinator where her key projects included developing the book and professional development program, Math Language that Works and the online math teacher support program Getting Ready for Algebra.
Her professional development series, Algebraic Reasoning Through Inquiry (ARTI) supported many district teachers in San Diego County. During her County Office time Cathy served as the lead coordinator for the first generation California State Early Assessment Program (EAP) professional development series.
