Understanding What We Teach and How We Teach It- Improving Our Aim in Math 6-8

Higher student achievement starts with clarity about what students are expected to learn and how we can best support that learning. In this full-day workshop, participants will dig deeply into standards, frameworks, and Performance Level Descriptors to better understand the level of rigor and proficiency students need to reach. Together, we will examine common instructional pitfalls, identify ways to better align instruction to grade-level expectations, and use available resources to sharpen our instructional focus.

At the same time, participants will explore the 8 Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices from NCTM, grounded in more than 40 years of research on effective mathematics instruction. Teachers will investigate how to establish meaningful learning goals, implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving, facilitate productive mathematical discourse, support productive struggle, and use evidence of student thinking to guide instruction. Throughout the session, participants will connect standards-based planning with high-impact instructional practices that increase student engagement, deepen understanding, and improve achievement.

This workshop is designed for teachers who want to move beyond simply covering content and toward creating mathematics classrooms where students actively think, reason, discuss, and make sense of mathematics every day.

Workshop Details:

• Date: January 27. 2027

• Time: 9:30 am - 2:30 pm EST

• Location: SIEC, 1102 Tree Lane Drive, Jasper, IN 47546

• Fee: SIEC Member - $175/Non-member $245

• Other Details:

  • Please bring a laptop computer so online resources can be accessed.

  • A catered lunch will be provided.

  • Participants will receive Professional Growth Points.

  • Deadline to register is 2 weeks before each workshop.

  • See the embedded registration form below.

This workshop is day 1 of a 3 day learning series. During registration, you may choose to register for all 3 workshops together, or pick and choose specific day(s).

Presenter Information: Jeff Harker

Jeff Harker is a 32 year veteran of public secondary mathematics education in Indiana.  During his tenure he cultivated his role as teacher leader in the classroom and out of the classroom as a cross country coach for 30 years.  He was also a literacy coach for 5 years during his career.  He has presented at the school, district, state and national levels on topics such as struggling learners, questioning, grading, reading strategies, differentiation, and self-direction.  He has always enjoyed his role as teacher, both for students and adults.  

Jeff obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Ball State University.  (Chirp chirp!)  Then went on to receive a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from Indiana University.  After spending a year teaching in North Carolina, he returned to his roots in Northern Indiana at Warsaw Community Schools and a short stint teaching for Ivy Tech, finally ending up in the Indianapolis area in Lawrence Township where he spent the last 25 years.  After retiring from teaching he found his way back to his passion for professional development and helping teachers at CIESC.

As a Professional Learning Specialist with Keep Indiana Learning and CIESC, Jeff is focused on helping teachers hone their craft and helping their students become independent, successful learners