Excellence in Teaching Conference 2024

A: attitudes and dispositions toward mathematics,
C: conceptual understanding of mathematics,
E: evidence-based practices for teaching mathematics

EL: Elementary
MS: Middle School
HS: High School
ML: Math Leaders and Coaches
A: All

4:30-6:30 pm Registration check-in and Reception with hors d'oeuvres and drinks included.
Dahnke Ballroom, Duncan Student Center (overlooking Notre Dame Stadium)

Keynote: Establishing Conditions for Student Success in Mathematics Classroom | Kathryn Chval, Ph.D.
(Dean, Professor, UIC College of Education) (Keynote to begin at 5:30 pm)

Teachers and leaders have the pivotal responsibility to establish and maintain conditions that facilitate the success and inclusion of students learning mathematics. The positioning of students affects their identities, participation, agency, and abilities to develop communicative, social, and academic competencies. Kathryn Chval will share how exceptional teachers establish conditions for student success in mathematics classrooms. 

8:00-9:00 am Registration check-in and breakfast
Dahnke Ballroom, Duncan Student Center

9:00-9:30 am Opening Remarks
Dahnke Ballroom, Duncan Student Center
Topic: Making Sense of a Mathematical World | Patrick Kirkland, Ph.D. (Professor, University of Notre Dame)

9:50-10:50 am Session A Breakouts
Mendoza College of Business

• Using Story Problems to Teach Fractions | D'Anna Pynes, Ph.D. (Professor, University of Notre Dame
• Math is NOT a universal language: ESL strategies to try tomorrow | Sarah Butch, M.A. (Coordinator, English as a New Language at Notre Dame)
• Building Early Numeracy Skills in PreK-2nd Grade | Patrick Kirkland, Ph.D. (Professor, University of Notre Dame
• Data-Informed Teaching in the AI Era | Lewis Poché, M.Ed. (Coordinator, Higher-Powered Learning at Notre Dame)
• Networking with Local Experts to Develop Rich Math Experiences | Lynette Grypp, M.Ed. & Brooke Thomas, M.S. (Teachers, Summit Country Day School)
• Number Talks and Restorative Justice in the Middle School Classroom | Angie Hardman (Teacher, South Bend Community School Corporation)

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Session B Breakouts
Mendoza College of Business

• Small Variations, Significant Impact: How the Structure of Input Influences Children's Understanding of Mathematics | Nicole McNeil, Ph.D. (Professor, University of Notre Dame)
• Self-Regulated Strategy Development in Math, Focusing on Fractions | Abby Giroux, M.A. (Coordinator, Program for Inclusive Education at Notre Dame)
• Do Math Like a Champion Today | Brian Mulholland, Ph.D. (Professor, University of Notre Dame)
• Together We Can Make Math Make Sense: Best Practices for Public Sensemaking in the Classroom | Yaa Dankwa, M.Ed. (Graduate Student, Ohio State University)
• Developing Number Sense in Middle School | Erin Whalen, M.S., M.A. (Teacher, MU Prep)
• Where Faith and Reason Meet: How a Math Classroom Presents an Opportunity for Faith Engagement | John Brahier, M.A. (Associate Superintendent, Archdiocese of Detroit)

12:00-1:00 pm Lunch and Keynote
Dahnke Ballroom, Duncan Student Center
Keynote: Think Like A Mathematician | Grace Kelemanik and Amy Lucenta
Do your students get overwhelmed by wordy problems, complicated expressions, or unfamiliar representations? Do they grab numbers and start calculating without thinking?  Join us to explore three avenues of thinking championed in the Standards for Mathematical Practice and strategies to support students to slow down and make sense of messy math problems.

1:45-2:45 pm Session C Breakouts
Mendoza College of Business

• Ensuring Our Students Can Make Sense of Math: Using Rich Formative Assessment in 3rd-8th Grade | Patrick Kirkland, Ph.D. (Professor, University of Notre Dame)
• The Use of Visuals and Multiple Representations in Mathematics | Kelly-Ann Gesuelli, Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Scholar, Cognition, Learning, and Development Lab at Notre Dame)
• Supporting Students with Persevering through Mathematical Roadblocks | Erin Meikle, Ph.D. (Graduate Student, Duquesne University)
• Promoting Mathematical Curiosity and Creativity | Kathryn Mulholland, Ph.D. (Professor, University of Notre Dame)
• Functions of Success: The Input Matters | Catie Acitelli, Ph.D. (Professor, University of Notre Dame)

3:00-4:00 pm Session D Breakouts
Mendoza College of Business

• Connecting Representations: A Routine to Develop Structural Thinking (HS) | Grace Kelemanik (Co-Founder, Fostering Math Practices)
• Contemplate then Calculate: A Routine to Develop Structural Thinking (K-8) | Amy Lucenta (Co-Founder, Fostering Math Practices)
• Bring Your Capes and Discover Your Students' Mathematical Superpowers! | Ann Bingham, Ph.D. (Professor, Holy Cross College)
• Turn and Talk: Discourse-Based Mathematics | Eve Fiorica & Mary Kate Koecheler (Teacher & Principal, Diocese of Rochester)
• Are Students Recovering from the Pandemic? Signs from High School Statistics Classes | Ying "Alison" Cheng, Ph.D. (Professor, University of Notre Dame)

6:30-8:00 pm Dinner and Keynote
Dahnke Ballroom, Duncan Student Center
Keynote: 5 Strategies to Engage All Students in Mathematical Thinking and Discourse | Grace Kelemanik and Amy Lucenta
Are you eager to engage ALL of your students in mathematical thinking? We will introduce five teaching strategies you can use to ensure all of your students are thinking, reasoning, and talking mathematically.  We will use examples and activities to illuminate each strategy and give concrete advice for getting started with each.

8:00-9:00 am Breakfast
Smith Ballroom, Morris Inn

9:00-11:00 am Concluding Remarks and Curriculum Planning Sessions
Smith Ballroom, Morris Inn
Patrick Kirkland, Ph.D. (Professor, University of Notre Dame)

Here is a campus map with the major locations for the conference highlighted.

• Duncan Student Center - This is the large building on the west side of the football stadium. The 7th Floor of Dahnke Ballroom is where we will have our Friday reception and keynote as well our Saturday keynotes and meals.
• Mendoza College of Business - This is where we will have our breakout sessions on Saturday.
• Morris Inn - This is the on-campus hotel where Sunday's breakfast and planning session will be held in the Smith Ballroom.
• Basilica of the Sacred Heart - There is a 5:00 pm Mass on Saturday and 12:00 pm Mass on Sunday for those interested. 

We recommend parking in the Stadium Lot for Friday and Saturday and in the Bookstore Lot for Sunday. 

We will begin with a light reception and keynote by Dr. Kathryn Chval on Friday night. Registration and the light reception will start at 4:30 pm, and Dr. Chval will begin speaking around 5:30 pm. Enter the Duncan Student Center through Door 14 (the south entrance) where you will be greeted. From there you can proceed up the elevators to the 7th floor where the Dahnke Ballroom is located. 

Attire for the duration of the conference is casual/smart casual.

If you indicated an interest in PGP points in your registration, you will be automatically signed in at the start of the conference. Please look for your PGP points certificate on Sunday for pickup. If you are not sure if you indicated an interest in PGP points in your registration, please speak to a member of our team at the beginning of the conference.

Please connect to the ND Guest network for WiFi access on campus.

Please join us for our second registration period on Saturday, March 9th at 8:00 am in the Dahnke Ballroom (7th floor of Duncan Student Center). 

Note that daylight savings time begins on Sunday, March 10th.