July 2018 

President's Message

Hello Illinois mathematics teachers! Happy summer. I hope you all are taking some time to relax and re-charge. This ICTM E-Bulletin is packed with exciting upcoming math events. The biggest news is that the ICTM/ISTA Annual Conference Registration is now open! Mark your calendars for October 19-20, 2018 in Tinley Park, Illinois. In this age of readily available online resources, there’s still nothing more powerful for energizing your mathematics classroom than a face-to-face conference to see old friends, meet new colleagues, and share LOTS of new math ideas. We have a great lineup of speakers and excellent discounts. Register now and encourage at least two more teachers to come with you to the ICTM Annual Conference. 

Summer is also a nice time to catch up on some reading and start thinking ahead to the fall. As I look here at my bookshelf, I wanted to share a couple favorite titles that have changed my teaching the last few years. If you are looking for some new ideas to explore, I recommend 5 Practices for Orchestrating Productive Mathematics Discussion, 2nd Edition (2018) by Smith and Stein, and Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All (2018) by NCTM. Two books that are on my own reading list for this summer are Catalyzing Change in High School Mathematics: Initiating Critical Conversations (2018) by NCTM and the Access & Equity: Promoting High-Quality Mathematics series (2018) by NCTM. 

Or are you looking for some recreational math this summer? If you have not tried KenKen puzzles, I guarantee that you (and your K-12 students) will love them! These puzzles are addictive, in a good way (though my family has been known to ask me to put away my KenKens). And for your students (even for K-5), these puzzles develop number sense, flexibility, perseverance, and help build a positive mathematics identity. Go to https://www.kenkenpuzzle.com/ to play for free, or download the app. 

Until the next ICTM E-Bulletin, check out our daily ICTM posts on Facebook (ICTM) andTwitter (@MathICTM)! 

ICTM Annual Conference

 October 19-20, 2018 in Tinley Park, Illinois

Come join us for the 2018 ICTM Annual Conference on October 19-20, 2018 at the Tinley Park Convention Center in Tinley Park, Illinois! Great speakers. Integrated conference with ISTA (Illinois Science Teachers Association). Special discounts available for groups of 5 or more, and for administrators who attend with at least one teacher from their district. 

Register here!  

Upcoming Events, Professional Development, & Resources

MCMI Summer Math Institute, July 31-August 2. Registration is now open for the MCMI Summer 2018 Mathematics Institutes for K-12 educators, Making Learning Endure: Creating Connections! Guest speakers: Robert Berry, III, Eli Luberoff, and Christopher Danielson. July 31-August 2 in Palos Heights, IL. To register, click here.

K-6 Math Collaboration Conference, September 8, 2018. The first semi-annual K-6 Math Collaboration Conference of Teaching and Learning especially for elementary teachers and administrators will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2018 in the Chicago suburbs. More details soon. Save the date!

PWR ACT and Transitional Math. Kathy Almy, Illinois Director for Transitional Math, has posted her most recent Transitional Math webinar. 

Can you help us....? 

Nominate a Math Teacher for an Award (full details here)

Become a Board Member   

Encourage a College Student to Apply for a Scholarship

Illinois Mathematics Teacher (IMT) journal call for articles: The IMT editors invite submissions from both new and experienced authors, and accept articles on a range of topics, including: innovative classroom activities and lessons; applications to the classroom of pedagogical research and best practices; examples of implementing standards; reviews of recent books on pedagogy; any other articles that will support the professional development of ICTM members. Visit journal.ictm.org to read recent articles and to submit your own.

Board News

Get to Know Some of Your New ICTM Directors

Anne Agostinelli

Anne Agostinelli started her career as a middle school mathematics teacher for the Chicago Public Schools in 2005. She is currently finishing her contract as a mathematics coach with the Metro Chicago Mathematics Initiative at UIC, and is excited to get back into the classroom teaching eighth-grade mathematics in Berwyn South School District 100 this fall. Anne is interested in all things instructional routines (especially math talks), and is building her understanding of the potential of spaced and interleaved practice to support students' memory during learning. She hopes that her position on the ICTM board will enable her to connect educators throughout the state to share the innovation, creativity, passion, and collaboration happening in districts all over Illinois. 

Martha Reilly

Hello! I’m Martha Reilly and I have been elected as an At-Large Director. I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself!

I am a veteran middle school teacher – just finishing my 28^th year, but I still feel that there is so much to learn about students and teaching. I am thrilled to be a part of the ICTM Board. For many years, I have taken advantage of all that ICTM has to offer, and now it’s time to give back! I have had some wonderful opportunities in recent years to work with many K-8 teachers across the state, and I look forward to connecting with teachers at ALL grade levels now! I am currently helping with the program for the 2018 ICTM Conference in October. I hope that I will have to a chance to meet you there!

Steven Shadel

I am currently the K–12 Executive Director of STEM for Niles Township District 219. In this role, I oversee the development of the Mathematics and STEM curriculum. I also facilitate professional development for teachers, coaches, and administrators. I empower a team of grade level leaders across seven buildings to facilitate equity-based instructional techniques. 

My passion for mathematics instruction is rooted in my belief that all students deserve access to a rigorous and engaging mathematics curriculum. In my current role, I am excited to serve students who live in poverty, recently refugees or students who haven’t received equitable opportunities in life. I am driven to change the life trajectory of students by providing amazing experiences and opportunities for students and families in mathematics. I am excited to work with teachers across the state to develop opportunities to share ideas and instructional strategies to reach all students!

Ms. Agostinelli and Ms. Reilly will begin their terms during the annual meeting in October. Steven Shadel was appointed to the board following director Evan Taylor's resignation in 2017.

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