Teacher Training
Online
Ongoing enrollment
15 hours
Self-Paced
Course Description
Foster a love of mathematics by creating a more inclusive and empowering learning environment through asset-based teaching!
An asset-based perspective on math education means starting with what students already know instead of focusing on what’s missing. This approach elevates student thinking and reasoning skills. In this way, educators acknowledge that all students bring prior experiences, strengths, talents, and resources to the learning process and can contribute meaningfully in an authentic learning environment. The course Transform Your Math Class Using Asset-Based Teaching for Grades 6-12 provides insight into asset-based perspectives in mathematics education to create an environment where all students feel valued and capable of being doers of mathematics. The content of the course highlights the importance of using language, instructional routines, and systemic structure that positively impact student engagement, their math identity, and ultimately their outcomes.
Learning Objectives
Providing a wealth of knowledge and practical strategies for teachers that can be used to transform math classrooms into inclusive, supportive, and empowering learning environments, this course:
- Introduces an asset-based perspective that focuses on students' strengths, assets, and potential to learn mathematics
- Includes a variety of frameworks and tools that teachers can use to build and grow their sense of asset-based perspectives
- Offers strategies for promoting a growth mindset in mathematics, encouraging productive struggle in math, and promoting equitable math instruction
- Supports teachers in reflecting on their decisions, self-awareness, and self-management
Adopting asset-based perspectives is about movement over time, not about flipping a switch. This course paves the path for an asset-based journey that ultimately helps to transform our math classrooms and advance all students’ learning and development.
Contact Us
Email: lifetimelearning@bsu.edu
Phone: 765-285-8565
Materials Needed
Purchase: Transform your Math Class Using Asset-Based Teaching (Steele & Honey, 2024)
Measure of Performance
Certificate of completion
Bios
Michael D. Steele is a professor and chairperson of the Department of Educational Studies in Teachers College at Ball State University. He is a past president of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators, current director-at-large of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and editor of the journal Mathematics Teacher Educator. A former middle and high school mathematics and science teacher, Dr. Steele has worked with preservice secondary mathematics teachers, practicing teachers, administrators, and doctoral students across the country. He has published several books and research articles focused on supporting mathematics teachers in enacting research-based effective mathematics teaching practices.
Joleigh Honey is an author and consultant and is in her 30th year as a mathematics educator. She is the Immediate Past-President of the Association of State Supervisors of Mathematics (ASSM), serves on the Executive Committee of the Conference Board for Mathematical Sciences (CBMS), and is a current director-at-large of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Joleigh has been a secondary math classroom teacher, academic coach and specialist, PK-12 district and state level mathematics supervisor, and the PK-12 STEM Coordinator and Equity Specialist for the state of Utah.
Joleigh is an author of OpenUp Resources High School Math, a consultant for the Launch Years Initiative through the Dana Center, and serves on the STEM Identity working group as a member of ASSM. Over the years, she has worked with teachers, specialists, and state supervisors across the country. She has designed and led professional learning focusing on equity, student engagement, and ensuring all students, including students with disabilities, have access to and success with meaningful course level content.
Joleigh was awarded the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Utah Council of Teachers of Mathematics (UCTM) and is an active member active member of and regular presenter for the Association of State Supervisors of Mathematics, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and NCSM Leadership in Mathematics Education.
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please fill out the self-disclosure form. The Office of Disability Services coordinates services for students with disabilities. Documentation of a disability needs to be on file in that office before any accommodations can be provided.