CoMath Update for May 6, 2022

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! The school year is almost over, and for me, that means the Teaching and Learning CoLabs are near! We're really excited about these and it's been great to see our universities, our professional teaching organizations, and other stakeholders come together to make these events a reality. Keep reading for more details and to register! There's a lot in this email, so be sure to read to the end.

• CoLab Registration is Open!
• 2022 Colorado PAEMST Finalists
• CoMath Conversation for May
• CCTM Educator Asset Inventory
• Colorado Math Leaders
• NCTM Annual Meeting
• Job Openings
• Expanded Learning Opportunities Grant Program
• New Praxis Tests for Middle School and Secondary Math Endorsements

 CoLab Registration is Open!

This summer, teachers and leaders are invited to attend Teaching and Learning CoLabs, a new kind of no-cost event that brings together stakeholders from districts, higher education, professional teaching and other organizations, and the Colorado Department of Education. The dates and host sites for this summer's CoLabs are:

• Thursday, June 2, hosted by Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction
• Wednesday, June 8, hosted by the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley
• Tuesday, June 21, hosted by CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo

Schools are encouraged to attend a CoLab in teams, with teachers representing multiple grades and/or content areas. Focus content areas for 2022 include English language arts, health and physical education, mathematics, science, and computer science. Leadership-focused sessions will be provided for principals and other school leaders. For more information and to register, see the Teaching and Learning CoLabs website.

2022 Colorado PAEMST Finalists

Congratulations to the Colorado state finalists for the 2021-2022 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching! This year we're recognizing two teachers in mathematics: Amanda Jaquette of Brown International Academy in Denver Public Schools, and Amanda Sutton of Lesher Middle School in Poudre School District. These teachers' applications will be reviewed for the national award by panels convened by the National Science Foundation, and awardees receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a $10,000 award, and an all-expenses paid trip for an award ceremony and PD in Washington, D.C.

CoMath Conversation: What happens when our desired math teaching strategies aren't what's promoted in other content areas?

This topic has been lingering in my brain for at least a year! At various times, math teachers and leaders have reached out to me to ask, "We've gotten training about teaching practices that might work in other content areas, but it's not the best fit for mathematics. What should we do?" Let's talk about it! Join the conversation on Thursday, May 19 from 3:30 to 4:45 as we discuss the (mis)application of various teaching strategies and how to help each other understand when some approaches work better in math than others. Register now via Zoom to attend.

CCTM Educator Asset Inventory

The Colorado Council of Teachers of Mathematics is conducting a simple asset inventory to collect information about teachers of mathematics in Colorado and their strengths. All are welcome to submit and you are encouraged to share the survey with others.

Colorado Math Leaders

The final CML meeting of the 2021-2022 school year is Tuesday, May 10 from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. We're planning to discuss Chapter 7 of our book study, spend time in small group conversations, and share our visions for next year, which are likely to include a focus on interventions and HS pathways. Bring a colleague and your ideas! We'll start gathering on Zoom at noon for lunch and casual chat before getting to the agenda at 12:30.

NCTM Annual Meeting in Los Angeles -- Registration is Open

Are you ready to attend conferences in-person again? There's no other experience quite like attending the NCTM Annual Meeting, and this year's is scheduled for Los Angeles from September 28 to October 1. Early registration is now open!

Job Openings

• Skoglund Middle School and Center High School are both currently looking for a math teachers. The Skoglund Middle School position is for 6th – 8th grade, and the Center High School Position is Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, and Financial Literacy. We encourage all applicants interested in teaching math to apply. We are a small rural district located in the beautiful San Luis Valley. For information, click on the link https://www.center.k12.co.us/page/employment-opportunities or find all employment opportunities on our school website at www.center.k12.co.us under District Information.
• Barone Middle School in the Meeker Re-1 School District is seeking individuals to teach 6th, 7th, and 8th grade math and/or science. See the district website for application information.

Expanded Learning Opportunities Grant Program

CDE is making up to $10 million available for school districts and community-based providers for quality afterschool and summer programs to help students overcome the academic challenges brought on by the pandemic. The ESSER Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) Grant Program is now accepting applications through June 28th, 2022, and if interested in applying for this opportunity, submit an intent to apply by Friday, May 13. Eligible applicants include school districts, BOCES, Charter School Institute, a facility school and the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind. Additionally, public libraries, Colorado community-based organizations, Indian tribes or tribal organizations and institutes of higher education or other public agencies can apply.

New Praxis Tests for Middle School and Secondary Mathematics

The Colorado State Board of Education adopted two new Praxis tests to replace the "old" math Praxis tests that will be discontinued by ETS this August. On September 1, 2022, Middle School Mathematics (5164) and Mathematics (5161) will replace the previous exams for Colorado mathematics endorsements. CDE will recognize the "old" 5169 and 5161 tests as fulfilling exam requirements for the respective endorsements until August 31, 2027.