57th Annual Conference- Pre-Conference

2025 PRE-CONFERENCE SESSIONS

Pre-conference sessions will be held on Sunday, October 12, 2025.

Enhance your NCSM conference learning experience by signing up to attend one of our special Sunday afternoon pre-conference sessions for leaders aligned to the conference theme and strands.

These pre-conference sessions are a great way to kick off your conference experience, network with other leaders and take a deeper dive into our recent work and Essential Actions Series from NCSM.

Workshop 1: Rise Up: Bold Leadership to Elevate Mathematics Instruction

Bold mathematics leaders advocate for high-quality, equitable mathematics teaching and learning (NCSM, 2020). This encompasses understanding what equitable mathematics teaching looks like, and then using leadership skills to ensure that teaching happens. During the pre-conference session, participants will examine the practices, processes, and actions necessary to lead effective and equitable mathematics programs. Questions we will address:

• Transformative Practices: How do we structure our work as bold mathematics leaders to implement practices that have led to greater student outcomes?
• Accelerating Student Learning: What actions can we take as culturally relevant leaders to ensure teachers have a deep understanding of mathematics standards and teaching and learning, to ensure equitable student outcomes?
• Rising Above Challenges: How can culturally relevant leaders ensure each and every student has access to grade level content and intensification based on evidence of student learning?

Sunday, October 12, 2025, 1:00-4:00 pm
Presented by: Cory A. Bennett, NCSM Positions Paper Editor

Cory A. Bennett is a Professor of Mathematics Education and Chair of the Department of Teaching and Educational Studies at Idaho State University. His professional work centers on leveraging mathematical discourse, creating classroom cultures of reasoning, aligning curricula to quality assessment and instructional practices, and developing instructional leaders’ praxis. He works with educators and educational leaders, both locally and globally, to advance understandings in the teaching and learning of mathematics and to support instructional leaders’ capacity to create quality, learning-centered structures.

Note: Registration is required for this pre-conference half-day workshop. Online registration is now open: Member Registration / Non-Member Registration.

Workshop 2: Rising Up: Lifting Teacher Practice Through Coaching

Coaching is recognized as one of the most powerful ways to ensure equity, build teacher capacity and increase student learning outcomes. Bold mathematics leaders elevate teacher practice through coaching to support teachers’ professional growth and foster reflective practice. During this pre-conference session, we will explore frameworks for teacher learning, unpack tools and strategies to support teacher teams and engage in coaching role plays to develop our skills.

Leaders and coaches will examine the following essential questions:

• How do we establish a culture of trust and collaboration?
• How do we support mathematics teachers in redesigning classroom instruction which supports all learners?
• What actions can we take to build a coaching culture of reflective practice and improved instruction?
• How can we apply research-informed coaching practices to support effective teaching practices?

Sunday, October 12, 2025, 1:00-4:00 pm
Presented by: Dr. Nicora Placa, NCSM Coaching Coordinator

Nicora Placa, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in Curriculum and Teaching at Hunter College which is part of the City University of New York (CUNY). In her 20 years in education, she has served in a variety of roles including elementary school teacher, middle school mathematics teacher, and mathematics coach. She continues to work with schools and districts to provide collaborative coaching and professional learning support. She is the author of 6 Tools for Collaborative Mathematics Coaching, as well as numerous articles. Nicora serves on NCSM’s board as Coaching Coordinator. She is constantly learning from the teacher teams she works with and is inspired by them to find new ways to create opportunities for all students to learn and love math.

Note: Registration is required for this pre-conference half-day workshop. Online registration is now open: Member Registration / Non-Member Registration.

Workshop 3: Rise Up: Leading From the Classroom

Leadership in Mathematics Education comes in multiple forms, none more critical than the teacher leader. Teacher leaders often begin with leading by example, but in order to have a long lasting impact, teacher leaders need to take on more active leadership. This session explores how teachers can be a driving force in transforming mathematics education–providing high quality instruction, fostering collaboration, and advocating for equity—while remaining deeply engaged in teaching. In this pre-conference session, teacher leaders and those who wish to cultivate teacher leaders, will look at the following questions:

• What does it mean to lead from the classroom?
• How do we move from leading by example to active leadership?
• How can teacher leaders advocate for equitable learning opportunities and high-quality instruction for all students?
• How can mathematics teachers use data and research-based practices to drive instructional improvements and inform school policies?

Sunday, October 12, 2025, 1:00-4:00 pm
Presented by Ian Shenk, NCSM Professional Learning Director

Ian Shenk is the Mathematics Curriculum Specialist for Hanover County Public Schools, a suburban school district outside of Richmond, Va. In this role, he leads mathematics education, K-12, through curriculum development, coordinating and supervising the district’s mathematics coaches, and providing feedback to teachers and administrators to help transform mathematics teaching and learning. His over twenty years of experience also includes school-level administration, a mathematics coach, department chair, and classroom teacher. He currently serves as a Professional Learning Director for NCSM, having previously served as the Regional Director for US Southern 1.

Note: Registration is required for this pre-conference half-day workshop. Online registration is now open: Member Registration / Non-Member Registration.

Other Special Pre-Conference Sessions

First-Time Attendee Orientation

This session is for new NCSM annual conference attendees. Participants will network with other first-time attendees, explore conference offerings, and develop a personal agenda. There will also be an opportunity to learn about members’ benefits, vendors, and the regions NCSM serves. You might even meet your Regional Director!

Sunday, October 12, 2025, 4:15- 5:00 pm
Presented by: Candies Winfun-Cook, NCSM Membership and Volunteer Coordinator

Abi Ruiz, Regional Director – Southern 1

Note: This session is free for conference attendees. Registration is not required to attend this session.

Boldly Leading NCSM Affiliates: Rising to the challenges of affiliate leadership

NCSM is stronger because of the regional, state, and local organizations that participate as affiliates. This session, designed specifically to meet the unique needs of those leading NCSM affiliates, will equip and empower you to strengthen your affiliate, grow personally as a leader, and network with the other bold leaders supporting NCSM’s mission across the globe. You do not need to be an affiliate leader to attend, but current affiliates will receive a discount code for up to four members of their board to attend at no cost.

Sunday, October 12, 2025, 1:00-4:00 pm
Presented by: Joanie Funderburk, NCSM Affiliates Coordinator and Sean Nank, NCSM Regional Director, Western 2

Joanie Funderburk is the NCSM Affiliates Coordinator for 2023-2025. In her day job, she serves as the Strategic Alliance Director for Texas Instruments’ Educational Technology division. In this role, she advocates for high-quality STEM education by elevating the voices of educators in policy decisions at the state and national level. Joanie has nearly 20 years of experience teaching high school math and 7 years supporting middle and high school math teachers at the district level. She spent 5 years working for national non-profit organizations supporting math professional learning all over the country before settling into her role at TI. Joanie served on the Colorado Council of Teachers of Mathematics for 12 years, including six years as President, and recently chaired NCTM’s Membership and Affiliate Relations Committee. Joanie enjoys the chance to share what she’s learned in her 33 years in math education as the co-host of Room to Grow: A Math Podcast. Joanie lives in Colorado with her husband and dog and enjoys visiting Seattle and Austin where her two sons live with their wives.

Note: Registration is required for this pre-conference half-day workshop. Online registration is now open: Member Registration / Non-Member Registration.