APS Rising Educator Summit 2026

Transform your math instruction from routine to remarkable. This session track delivers actionable, engaging strategies to boost math confidence across all grade levels. From leveraging local New Mexico culture and history to teach special education math, to implementing active, movement-based centers that reinforce daily standards, to using play and patterns for multiplication mastery, you will leave equipped to build a more inclusive, energetic, and effective math classroom. Join us in La Sala (lower West Side) for a dynamic and interactive series of poster sessions designed to spark innovation and provide practical solutions for today’s educators. These sessions offer a unique opportunity to engage directly with experts, explore visual data, and take away actionable strategies in a concise, high-impact format.


Ethnomathematics in Special Education: "How Far From Chaco Canyon?": This poster session highlights an ethnomathematics project designed for 8th grade small-group special education math classrooms that integrates scientific notation with the rich cultural and astronomical history of Chaco Canyon in New Mexico. Participants will explore how students investigate large numbers related to astronomical alignments, architecture, and distances within the Chacoan world while practicing scientific notation and mathematical reasoning. The project combines culturally responsive teaching, Universal Design for Learning supports, and visual thinking strategies to make abstract mathematical concepts accessible and meaningful. Attendees will gallery walk through student work samples, lesson visuals, and scaffolded supports used to increase engagement and conceptual understanding. Participants will leave with ideas for connecting mathematics to local culture while supporting diverse learners. Greg Hyzy

Math That Moves: structures to foster math engagement, independence, and standards mastery: Are you looking for ways to boost math understanding WITHOUT boring your class to death? Would you like to refine your use of centers in the math classroom? During this session, you will take a peek into how one APS multi-age elementary classroom has adapted readily-available resources to keep students learning and engaged.
Specific points include:
1) Strategies to get your students up and moving while still using iReady lessons,
2) How math stations (or centers) can be utilized to reinforce standards-mastery,
3) How to introduce a math stations routine to students to ensure success,
4) Suggestions for using pacing guides and Common Core standards to plan activities for math stations,
5) Maintaining high behavior expectations during math station time. Christi Trail

Fun and Effective Ways to Teach Multiplication Facts: Many students struggle to memorize multiplication facts, which are essential for success in math. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn a few fun and effective strategies to help students remember multiplication facts. Attendees will practice activities such as games, patterns, and interactive exercises that can be immediately used in their classrooms. This session is designed to be engaging and practical, allowing teachers to leave with ready-to-use strategies to help students master multiplication in a fun and memorable way. Miyoung Lee