Building Thinking Classrooms Conference 2026: Full Schedule

1:20pm EDT

Monday June 29, 2026 1:20pm - 2:15pm EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 302

The goals of my session are for participants to be able to:Analyze the essential elements that make for a successful task launch.Implement strategies to build immediate student excitement and curiosity, fostering a desire to engage in productive struggle.Adapt existing lesson launches using simple, accessible adjustments to maximize cognitive activation and minimize instructional front-loading.

Speakers

Elana Reiser

Volunteer, St. Joseph's University

BTC2026CT pdf

Monday June 29, 2026 1:20pm - 2:15pm EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 302 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Teaching, Mild

Grade Level or Subject Area K-2; 3-5; 6-8; Algebra; Geometry; Trigonometry; Statistics; Calculus

2:35pm EDT

Making IM Work in a Thinking Classroom: Using Illustrative Mathematics Through the BTC Lens

Monday June 29, 2026 2:35pm - 3:30pm EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 330

Participants will leave with:A clear understanding that IM already provides rich thinking tasks suited for BTC implementation.Strategies to thin slice IM activities to maintain flow and cognitive engagement.Practical ideas for using VNPS and random groups while staying true to the IM lesson structure.Confidence that BTC and IM complement each other—enhancing reasoning, collaboration, and student ownership.

Speakers

Becky Wood

Teacher, Lake Zurich CUSD 95

Ashley Buchman

Assistant Principal, Lake Zurich School District, Middle School North

The IM Thinking Blueprint pptx

Monday June 29, 2026 2:35pm - 3:30pm EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 330 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Teaching, Mild

Grade Level or Subject Area 3-5; 6-8; Algebra

8:00am EDT

Less Helping, More Thinking: Teacher Moves That Build Confident Problem Solvers

Tuesday June 30, 2026 8:00am - 8:55am EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 239

How do we create mathematics classrooms where all students engage, persist, and see themselves as capable problem solvers? In this interactive session, participants will explore instructional practices that cultivate mathematical confidence by strengthening student agency, discourse, and perseverance.
Together, we will examine observable student behaviors that signal confidence, analyze teacher moves that either hinder or foster agency, and unpack classroom conditions that support student driven problem solving.
Participants will leave with practical strategies and actionable next steps for cultivating classrooms where students take risks, reason together, and confidently engage in meaningful mathematics.

Speakers

Stephanie Fitzpatrick

Director of Growth and Learning, HMH

I am dedicated to supporting teachers, coaches and leaders to achieve successful student outcomes.

Talk to me about:strengthening classroom practice improving student outcomes.building confidencerefining craftcreating systems that actually work in real classrooms.
My approach is grounded in practical strategies and a belief that growth happens through collaboration and reflection... Read More →

Tuesday June 30, 2026 8:00am - 8:55am EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 239 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Coaching, Mild | Teaching, Mild

Grade Level or Subject Area K-8, AGA, Teachers, Instructional coaches

8:00am EDT

Subtraction is the Achilles Heel, But It Doesn't Have To Be

Tuesday June 30, 2026 8:00am - 8:55am EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 238

Building Thinking Classrooms and other pedagogcal structures require teachers to be flexible in the moment responding to the thinking of their students, but in my experience as a consultant for 7 years, I have found teachers' own conceptual understanding of subtraction is limited to the traditional US algorithm. I am hoping to either begin or to deepen participants' ownership of various flexible strategies and also various models that can be used to make this thinking visible. In this way, teachers can be sure to be providing access to each and every student to use strategies that make sense to them and for the numbers they are asked to calculate with. After this session, participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of the operation of subtraction, how these strategies can be applied to all sets of numbers, models that can help these strategies visible, as well activities and routines they can incorporate in their classrooms to develop these understandings by their students.

Speakers

Ann Elise Record

Founder, Lead Consultant, Ann Elise Record Consulting LLC

Ann Elise Record is a national consultant, speaker, and author who is passionate about building positive math identities and agencies of each and every student by providing experiences for students to engage in rich math discourse, connect multimodal representations of thinking, and... Read More →

Subtraction is the Achilles Heel Resources 2026 docx

Tuesday June 30, 2026 8:00am - 8:55am EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 238 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Teaching, Mild

Grade Level or Subject Area K-2; 3-5; Instructional Coaches

8:00am EDT

Building Thinking Classrooms Using Data Science Concepts: A Collaborative Approach to K–12 Education

Tuesday June 30, 2026 8:00am - 10:10am EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 415

Participants will leave the session with practical strategies to integrate data science into K–12 classrooms using Building Thinking Classrooms practices. They will understand how Building Thinking Classrooms practices and a data mindset work together to foster critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving. Attendees will gain other ways to incorporate Toolkit #1 and #2 in their classroom.

Speakers

Andy Boyd

WA Math Regional Coordinator, North Central Education Service District

Andy Boyd, PhD
Sci/Math Specialist | North Central ESD 171
Regional Math Coordinator
phone: 509-665 - 2646
email:
address: 430 Olds Station Road, Wenatchee WA 98801
Kindness Counts NCW

... Read More →

Cari Haug

Regional Science Coordinator, North Central ESD 171

Cari Haug has served as the Regional Science Coordinator at North Central Educational Service District for over six years providing professional learning to educators regionally, state and nationwide, on science instruction. Supporting science education is important to Cari because... Read More →

New Haven BTC Using Data Science Concepts pdf

NCESD New Haven BTC Card Sort pdf

Tuesday June 30, 2026 8:00am - 10:10am EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 415 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Teaching, Mild

Grade Level or Subject Area K-2; 3-5; 6-8; Algebra; Geometry; Trigonometry; Statistics; Calculus; Instructional Coaches; Building Leaders; Central Office Leaders

8:00am EDT

Integrating Basic Fact Fluency Practice in a Thinking Classroom

Tuesday June 30, 2026 8:00am - 10:10am EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 405

Participants will understand how students can work on building basic fact fluency using some of the practices from Building Thinking Classrooms (VNPS, visible random groups, teacher as the facilitator, and defronting the classroom).Participants will see how the integration of developing fact fluency can be a simple addition to any math block.Participants will understand that rich authentic tasks can even include a simple game played with a deck of cards.Participants will understand how vertical surfaces provide opportunities for student discourse and how this discourse is integral to building fact fluency.Participants will have the opportunity to engage in rich mathematical discourse using student work (they will play the role of the students) on VNPS as the mentor text for explicit teaching.

Speakers

Courtney Flessner

Director, Keep Indiana Learning - CIESC

Courtney is currently the Director at Keep Indiana Learning, the professional learning department of the CIESC in Indianapolis, IN. Prior to joining KINL in 2021, Courtney spent 17 years working in traditional public, private, and public charter schools in Indiana, New York City... Read More →

Tuesday June 30, 2026 8:00am - 10:10am EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 405 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Teaching, Mild

Grade Level or Subject Area K-2; 3-5; Instructional Coaches; Building Leaders

9:15am EDT

Get Your Think On: Exploring Tasks in a Thinking Classroom

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:15am - 10:10am EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 327

Participants will leave this session with a deeper understanding of how different types of mathematical tasks can be used to promote thinking, reasoning, and collaboration in a Building Thinking Classroom. Together, we will explore the characteristics of rich, non-routine tasks. Educators will experience several task types firsthand and reflect on how each can be used to engage diverse learners in meaningful mathematics.

Speakers

Emily Myers

Senior Math Specialist, North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching

Dr. Emily Myers is the Senior Mathematics Specialist at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT), where she leads professional learning experiences designed to strengthen mathematics teaching and learning across the state. With a deep passion for mathematics... Read More →

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:15am - 10:10am EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 327 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Teaching, Mild

Grade Level or Subject Area 3-5; 6-8; Algebra; Instructional Coaches; Building Leaders; Central Office Leaders

9:15am EDT

Implementing a Thinking Classroom K-2

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:15am - 10:10am EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 329

Teachers will learn how to transform their K-2 math class into a thinking classroom. Teachers will walk away with tasks, tips, and practical steps to get started with their own thinking classroom. Based on Peter Liljedahl’s Building Thinking Classrooms and research.

Speakers

Amanda Jagentenfl

Owner/Math Specialist, Mathematical Minds LLC

I have a passion for teaching mathematics so ALL children understand. I work closely with teachers, coaching them on best practices, and helping them to discover their strengths in teaching mathematics. I am a NH Certified K-6 Math Specialist, OGAP Additive Facilitator, owner of Mathematical... Read More →

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:15am - 10:10am EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 329 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Teaching, Mild

Grade Level or Subject Area K-2

9:15am EDT

Lights, Camera, Action: Real Students, Real Thinking, Real Classrooms

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:15am - 10:10am EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Lecture Hall 111

Go behind the scenes to explore what a Building Thinking Classroom looks and sounds like in action. In this session, participants will view and analyze multiple video clips from real elementary classrooms implementing Peter Liljedahl’s Building Thinking Classrooms framework. Together, we’ll unpack the intentional structures, routines, and teacher moves that promote student thinking, collaboration, and engagement. Whether you’re new to BTC or a seasoned practitioner, you’ll leave with fresh insights, practical strategies, and inspiration to strengthen a culture of thinking in every math lesson.

Speakers

Ashley Smith

1st Grade Teacher, Pleasant Knoll Elementary School/Fort Mill School District

Tammy McMorrow

teacher, Cynthia Mann Elementary, Boise School District

Tammy McMorrow has been teaching first grade for 32 years in Kuna, Idaho. In 2022 she began building a thinking classroom inspired by the work of Peter Liljedahl and was quickly won over by its magic and messiness. Determined to start a movement, she created a Facebook page for K-2... Read More →

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:15am - 10:10am EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Lecture Hall 111 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Teaching, Mild

Grade Level or Subject Area K-2; 3-5; Instructional Coaches

1:00pm EDT

Using Building Thinking Classrooms to Promote Communication, Collaboration & Thoughtful Reflection

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:55pm EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 302

In this session we will explore how evaluating what you value along with the use of random groups and vertical non-permanent surfaces (VNPSs) helps to promote communication, collaboration and thoughtful reflection. Following a shared experience where participants will participate in a lesson that follows the tenets of Building Thinking Classrooms we will make a meaningful note to help consolidate our learning and explore some of the research outlining why random groups are so effective and delve into the positive impact this work has on a student’s math identity, self-efficacy and status. My goals for participants are:Participants will understand the importance of evaluating what they value and the importance of using random groups to promote communication and collaboration in their classrooms. Participants will understand the impact random groups have on students’ math identity, self-efficacy and status.

Speakers

Mike DiCicco

Math Consultant & Instructional Coach, Mansfield Public Schools

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:55pm EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 302 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Teaching, Mild

Grade Level or Subject Area 3-5; 6-8; Central Office Leaders; Building Leaders

1:00pm EDT

Using Technology in the BTC Classroom

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:55pm EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 304

Using technology in the BTC classroom is a challenge for teachers. How do you have students work at VNPSs and at the same time, use technology to improve understanding. This session will demonstrate how to incorporate using technology such as graphing calculators, Desmos, and coding in the BTC classroom.

Speakers

John Failor

Math Teacher, Traverse City Central High School

BTC Technology Presentation BTC 2026 Failor pdf

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:55pm EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 304 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Teaching, Mild

Grade Level or Subject Area Algebra; Trigonometry; Calculus

2:15pm EDT

Happy Hacks for Math Class: Encouraging Mathematical Well-Being in Thinking Classrooms

Tuesday June 30, 2026 2:15pm - 3:10pm EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 326

We hope that through this session, participants will learn ways to foster mathematical well-being in thinking classrooms. We will share simple interventions, which we call “happyhacks”, that teachers can easily integrate into their classroom to promote students’ well-beingin math. We will engage our participants in these happy hacks and also share research from a5th and 6th grade classroom showing the effects of the interventions on student well-being.

Speakers

Mindy Green

Teacher, Revere School

Erin Rich

Clinical assistant professor, Indiana University

Tuesday June 30, 2026 2:15pm - 3:10pm EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 326 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Teaching, Mild

Grade Level or Subject Area 3-5; 6-8; Instructional Coaches

2:15pm EDT

Sticking to the Keys - Practices that Unlock Student Thinking

Tuesday June 30, 2026 2:15pm - 3:10pm EDT

Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 332

Conference participants will leave with: a. A clear understanding of the key moves in designing and facilitating a BTC lesson.b. Practical strategies for effective monitoring and questioning that deepen thinking.c. A framework for structuring consolidation that honors student voice and amplifies learning.d. Renewed confidence to lead students toward independence and intellectual risk-taking.

Speakers

Brendan Scribner

Math Consultant, Scrib Mather, LLC.

With over 30 years in math education, I am passionate about designing meaningful professional learning that empowers educators to help students think critically, reason deeply, and communicate with confidence. I bring the practices of Building Thinking Classrooms into every space... Read More →

Tuesday June 30, 2026 2:15pm - 3:10pm EDT
Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School - Room 332 177 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Teaching, Mild

Grade Level or Subject Area 3-5; 6-8; Instructional Coaches; Building Leaders; Central Office Leaders

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