Math Minds

 

Professional development for educators at SHS is an essential part of ensuring teaching methods remain dynamic and students continually receive the very highest quality education. SHS Middle School Curriculum Director Dr. Sharon Sikora, a dedicated educator at Sacred Heart whose previous role spanned the entire campus as the science curriculum, learning, and teaching coordinator, shared insights about the role of professional growth in enhancing teaching.

One of the key events for K-8 teachers is the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) conference. The group first attended the conference in 2022; this past school year the trip grew to include four SHP math teachers, paving the way for Sacred Heart's entire math team to explore the latest research and instructional strategies, and discuss how to deepen students’ mathematical thinking.

"We want math to be more than just computational,” says Sikora. “It’s essential that students can support their critical thinking, solve new problems, and relate mathematical concepts to real-world situations”—a major takeaway from a session on illustrating student thinking in mathematics, which resonated deeply with the educators. This approach aligns with Sacred Heart’s overarching goal of fostering transparent student thinking across all subjects.

 

Pre-conference meetings, where the math department set its vision and aligned the day’s sessions with that vision, were pivotal in creating a cohesive approach. "Before we even attended the sessions, we made sure to stay grounded in our vision statement," Sikora said. This kind of thoughtful planning ensures that professional development is not just a one-off experience but an integral part of the school’s long-term educational strategy.

A standout moment from the conference was a session led by Robert Kaplinsky, an expert in both lower and middle school math instruction. Kaplinsky’s accessible approach and ongoing support resources, such as his website OpenMiddle.com, conveniently delineated by grade level, proved invaluable. Teachers were also particularly moved by School of the Art Institute of Chicago Scientist-In-Residence Eugenia Chen’s keynote address, which explored the integration of art with math. Pulling out her violin, Chen demonstrated how the rhythm of music can mirror mathematical concepts, offering a creative and engaging way to approach math education. "It was such a refreshing perspective. She knocked our socks off. Everyone walked away with an even more profound love for math," says Sikora.

Middle School Math teacher Torri Horovitz agreed, “[Chen as the] opening speaker was amazing—she showed us how students used sandwiches to explain the quadratic formula, and other truly creative and innovative ways to represent mathematical understanding; it was a great reminder to allow students the time to go deeper, instead of always trying to rush on to the next topic.”

Beyond the workshops and sessions, Sacred Heart’s math team bonded over shared experiences at the conference. "There’s a unique joy in being part of a large community—over 6,000 educators—yet also having those moments when you see someone you know and can say, ‘I just went to this great session, and this is what I learned… the dynamic is quick and deep and so authentic,” says Sikora.

Another key professional development opportunity was the fall P-8 Learning Progression Session, a day-long workshop held on campus last year in November. This session launched the creation of a communication skills framework for Sacred Heart students, focusing on how to effectively develop speaking, writing, and listening skills from preschool through eighth grade. “We wanted to get on the same page regarding grade-level expectations for communication skills," says Sikora. "By watching a video of our students across the grades demonstrating their communication abilities, teachers could see how these skills evolve over the years."

Through thoughtful discussions, teachers aligned their vocabulary and strategies, ensuring consistency in expectations for students. The session also incorporated research on Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a framework designed to support neurodiversity in classrooms. "We’re using UDL principles to create lesson plans that are flexible and accessible to all students, making sure we meet each learner where they are," says Sikora.

Finally, a P-8 Professional Development Day held in March focused on neurodiversity and UDL, with educators working together to integrate these principles into lesson plans. Teachers use Sacred Heart’s Atlas curriculum software to document and share their plans, fostering collaboration across grade levels. “This helps us build a professional community where everyone is learning from each other and supporting each other’s growth,” says Sikora.

 

These avenues for ongoing dialogue “are about creating a community of professional learners," she emphasized. "The conference might be the seed, but the real growth happens when we nurture that learning and continue the conversation throughout the year."

Hear directly from SHS math teachers as they share their perspectives on professional development:

 

“I went to several presentations where I was able to leave with lesson materials and ideas that were innovative and interesting—one of which I already tried out with students…to think about their graphing skills without it feeling boring. I really appreciated the support from SHS to attend this event and continue to expand my skill set as a math teacher.”

– Middle School Math Teacher Torri Horovitz

“Attending the math conference was an invigorating experience, exposing me to a wealth of new concepts and research. Presentations from leading teachers and professionals from around the country offered fresh perspectives on familiar topics, while breakout sessions allowed for deep dives into emerging areas. The networking opportunities with other math teachers further enriched the experience, sparking stimulating conversations and collaborative ideas for future projects. One of my key takeaways from the conference was the need to enhance student voice in the classroom. As teachers, we need to allow for more opportunities to increase discourse between our students.”

– Fifth Grade Core Teacher Josh Wellman 

“NCTM was an amazing experience, with the key takeaway being the chance to connect with educators and gain new insights to improve my teaching. One highlight was discovering NBA Hoops, an interactive game that helps students enhance math skills through player statistics. It’s also a fun and engaging way for students to practice multiplication and division, which has quickly become a highlight in my classroom.”

–  Fourth Grade Teacher Jen Delgado