This was a fun one… because we got to talk to you, our listeners! In this episode: We see how Mr. Potato head can motivate students, one additional limb at a time. We open a big box of costumes in the middle of class. We learn about a teacher who calls students’ parents to share good news, and how one student wanted to return the favor. And finally, we get to hear some incredibly touching stories of students and families letting their teachers know how awesome they are. (Jacob and Kailey get a little misty-eyed.)

As a teacher, Misty Hodge wondered: Who makes these assessments I give my students? Are these companies listening to the teachers who use them, or are they just throwing darts in the dark? So she came to NWEA to make sure that teachers like her had a seat at the table. Misty shares her work leading NWEA’s partner advisory board and building something teachers can actually use. Then, Kailey and Misty nerd out about MAP Accelerator and how much it helps math teachers. Misty also shares stories from her time as an educator, including a creative use of a ropes course and a challenging first day as a substitute teacher. Thanks for listening — don’t forget to share, subscribe, and rate us five stars!

Schools and systems have had a growing need for evidence-based supplementary learning tools to address unfinished learning. See how Corbin Independent School District used MAP Accelerator to supercharge math growth in the district.

See how an Indiana middle school leveraged MAP Growth and IXL to pioneer a new “run-first, walk-later” approach to the curriculum.

We talk to Tatiana Ciccarelli, a math educator and model teacher from New York City, currently supporting educators around the country through professional learning, and Dr. Chase Nordengren, principal research scientist for effective instruction at NWEA.

Math differentiation doesn’t have to include hurried trips to the copier! With MAP Accelerator, educators can set up students for success, establish a routine, and integrate with core instruction. In this seven-minute video, we walk educators and school leaders through the practical advantages of MAP Accelerator, offering five minute-long tips for immediate classroom implementation. Bolstered by recent research and backed by teacher favorite Khan Academy, MAP Accelerator stars in this practical video that offers real implementation strategies.

Funded by Microsoft’s AI for Accessibility Grant, NWEA joined with Perkins Access, Governor Morehead School, and Sonja Steinbach, a math educator who works with students with vision disabilities. Together, they embarked on a unique research partnership to make middle school mathematics assessments more accessible for students with vision impairments.