Pre-Conference
58th NCSM Annual Conference

Pre-Conference

2026 Pre-Conference Sessions

Pre-conference sessions will be held on Sunday, October 25, 2026. Enhance your NCSM conference learning experience by signing up to attend one of our special Sunday afternoon pre-conference sessions for leaders aligned to the conference theme and strands.

These pre-conference sessions are a great way to kick off your conference experience, network with other leaders and take a deeper dive into our recent work and Essential Actions Series from NCSM.

Bold mathematics leaders champion high-quality, equitable mathematics teaching and learning (NCSM, 2020). A key component of this work is the thoughtful selection and implementation of High-Quality Instructional Materials for Mathematics (HQIM-M). While the process of choosing HQIM-M can feel overwhelming, you don’t have to navigate it alone.

In this pre-conference session, participants will explore practical tools and resources to support preparation for selecting and implementing HQIM-M. Together, we will examine how to articulate your vision for mathematics teaching and learning, identify and develop a leadership team to guide the selection process, assess your district or school’s strengths and needs, and examine the logistical considerations and constraints that shape your timeline and decisions.

Participants will also engage with tools for reviewing and refining existing frameworks and rubrics for selecting HQIM-M to ensure alignment with essential criteria that reflect your shared vision. In addition, we will focus on building the capacity of teams to support unbiased, evidence-based review and informed decision-making.

Presenters:  Heather Crawford-Ferre, Astrid Fossum, Amy Lucenta, Nicora Placa, Abi Ruiz, Nicole Stommel

Note: Registration is required for this pre-conference half-day workshop. Online registration is now open. Register here. 

Drawing on a five‑year research partnership with a leading university, this session explores five research‑grounded leadership practices that help schools strengthen math instruction and improve student outcomes:

  1. Prioritizing relationships for instructional change
  2. Examining daily schedules to maximize opportunities for student learning
  3. Fostering student agency across all grade levels
  4. Building a coherent program rather than relying on disconnected initiatives
  5. Supporting teams through focused Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)

Presenters: Steven Shadel & Nicole Peterson 

Note: Registration is required for this pre-conference half-day workshop. Online registration is now open. Register here. 

What does it take to build a coaching culture where math teachers feel safe to take risks, reflect honestly, and transform instruction for all learners? In this session, we’ll draw on lessons learned from a math coaching lab to explore what “courageous coaching” looks like in practice. Together, we will unpack research-informed coaching moves that center trust, collaboration, and equity, and examine how these moves can support teachers as they redesign tasks, discourse, and structures to better serve every student. 

Presenter: Tashana Howse

Note: Registration is required for this pre-conference half-day workshop. Online registration is now open. Register here.

Other Special Pre-Conference Sessions

This session is for new NCSM annual conference attendees.  Participants will network with other first-time attendees, explore conference offerings, and develop a personal agenda.  There will also be an opportunity to learn about members’ benefits, vendors, and the regions NCSM serves. You might even meet your Regional Director!

Sunday, October 25, 2026, 4:15- 5:00 pm

Presented by: Candies Winfun-Cook, NCSM Membership and Volunteer Coordinator and Kris Cunningham Regional Director, Western US 1  

Note: This session is free for conference attendees. Registration is not required to attend this session. 

How can you leverage NCSM resources and the work happening in other states and regions to best promote NCSM’s mission in your setting? In this session, specifically designed for leaders of NCSM affiliates, you will learn about resources, initiatives, and developing projects that support high quality mathematics teaching and learning for all, and taking back specific and actionable ideas to improve your affiliate.

Sunday, October 25, 2026, 1:00- 4:00

Presented by: Joanie Funderburk, NCSM Affiliates Coordinator

Joanie Funderburk

NCSM Affiliates Coordinator

Joanie Funderburk is the NCSM Affiliates Coordinator for 2023-2026. In her day job, she serves as the Strategic Alliance Director for Texas Instruments’ Educational Technology division. In this role, she advocates for high-quality STEM education by elevating the voices of educators in policy decisions at the state and national level. Joanie has nearly 20 years of experience teaching high school math and 7 years supporting middle and high school math teachers at the district level. She spent 5 years working for national non-profit organizations supporting math professional learning all over the country before settling into her role at TI. Joanie served on the Colorado Council of Teachers of Mathematics for 12 years, including six years as President, and recently chaired NCTM’s Membership and Affiliate Relations Committee. Joanie enjoys the chance to share what she’s learned in her 33 years in math education as the co-host of Room to Grow: A Math Podcast. Joanie lives in Colorado with her husband and dog and enjoys visiting Seattle and Austin where her two sons live with their wives.

NOTE: Registration is required for all pre-conference half-day workshops . Online registration is now open. Register here.

Join us for this special Fellows Program pre-conference session as we welcome the next cohort of fellows and mentors! Our newest cohort will begin their own transformative journey by meeting their mentors and fellows for the first time.

Through guided discussions, reflection activities, and goal-setting, new Fellow and Mentor pairs will explore the foundation of the mentorship process and set the stage for a meaningful year ahead. This session is designed to foster connection, inspire professional growth, and reinforce the power of mentorship in mathematics leadership.

 

Presenter: Haley Galyean