Professional Development
Ready to change classrooms from places where students 'sit and get' to places of curiosity, exploration, and deep learning?
I work with K-12 schools and districts to:
- Craft a unified vision for mathematics instruction across the organization by engaging leaders, administrators, and teachers in defining shared values and aspirations.
- Demonstrate high-leverage instructional strategies that increase student engagement, promote productive struggle, and build mathematical confidence—regardless of curriculum.
- Build an asset-based mindset that views every student as capable and brilliant, laying the foundation for equitable and high-achieving math classrooms.
- Sustain implementation through reflection by helping teachers plan, teach, and debrief lessons—recognizing that deep learning stems from intentional reflection, not just experience.
What You Can Expect
- 1. We will have FUN! If we're not having fun, what's the point?
- 2. I will work closely with your leadership team to ensure alignment with your school's or district's goals and vision for math education.
- 3. Your math teachers will feel seen, supported, inspired, and empowered.
- 4. Teachers will gain practical strategies they can implement immediately to transform their math instruction.
- 5. We will get in the classroom together to practice new strategies and reflect on their impact.
Teachers united around a common vision
Teachers having fun in PD
Teachers becoming students and tackling math problems together
Ready to Transform Your Math Classrooms?
Let's talk about how I can support your math teachers.
Engagements range from half-day or full-day workshops to comprehensive, long-term coaching and PD partnerships.
Popular Workshops
Making Math Irresistible
By implementing the same psychology that video game designers use to create addictive games, teachers can spark student interest, motivate them to take on challenging tasks, and promote productive struggle — even if they have not mastered the material yet. Teachers walk away with strategies they can use the very next day.
Every Child is Brilliant
Quickly solving problems and getting the correct answers is often seen as a sign of intelligence or genius. Yet every student possesses a unique set of abilities that extend far beyond speed and accuracy. Likewise, every teacher brings untapped superpowers to the classroom. In this uplifting session, we’ll celebrate the brilliance within ourselves and our students—and explore how to build a culture where everyone can leverage their strengths to unlock the collective brilliance of the classroom.
Math is... Visual
The seminar will demonstrate the power of visual diagrams in explaining school mathematics. Visual models help students develop number sense, aid in understanding difficult algorithms, and assist in problem-solving. You will discover several ways to help students bridge the gap from concrete to abstract thinking. Several models will be discussed, including number lines, area models, Exploding Dots™, and more.
Math is... Questions
Questions are at the heart of mathematics and discovery. But in most math classes, the teacher asks the questions and students attempt to compute answers. We will investigate the value of flipping this script. You ’ll learn how to give students more ownership over questions, how easily craft extension and differentiation questions, and how to use questions to get kids unstuck.
Math is... Problem Solving
Help your students move beyond “I’m stuck!” by equipping them with 8 powerful problem-solving strategies. In this hands-on session, we'll explore creative ways to approach math problems, discover visual models that build deep conceptual understanding, and leave with a ready-to-use problem-solving flow chart and classroom template.
Five Practices for Orchestrating Productive Math Discussions
This is an essential framework to turn discussions from random and unstructured to equitable and meaningful. We will work through several examples and then apply this to problems that the teachers are planning for students in the coming weeks. This is based on the work of Smith & Stein (2011).
"It was one of the best PDs I've participated in. My mind literally exploded as I UNDERSTOOD math and some very basic concepts with an inquiry mindset!!!"
– William Bayliss
– Oberlin Schools
"Just wanted to thank you for all the ideas. I've been starting my resource room Algebra class with one of your puzzles and the kids love it! I was afraid it would take away from class time, but they actually work faster on their regular assignments on days we start with a mind warm-up. They're also more willing to tackle new concepts without panicking. "
– Roxanna Rubinic
– Columbus City Schools
"I wanted to thank you again for coming out to Albuquerque and speaking at the Inspiring Mathematical Minds conference. You did a phenomenal job! The entire Albuquerque Public School math department board as well as the district leaders were beyond impressed!"
– Aaron Springer
– McGraw Hill Education
"I really can't convey just how much I love your session. There are some people who are amazing at presenting information in a way that keeps people engaged and you are definitely one of them! Which I guess I should have figured given your session topic!"
– Christina Tondevold
– Building Math Minds
"My kids are excited to come to math class now and I can't believe how much they are capable of!"
– Intervention Specialist
– Columbus City Schools
"Dr. Shah's full day workshop was awesome! Two days later, we are still talking Math!!! It was a wonderful PD. Thank you for your time, insight AND activities."
– Karen Mahan
– Lorain Digital Academy
"It was one of the best PDs I've participated in. My mind literally exploded as I UNDERSTOOD math and some very basic concepts with an inquiry mindset!!!"
– William Bayliss
– Oberlin Schools
"Just wanted to thank you for all the ideas. I've been starting my resource room Algebra class with one of your puzzles and the kids love it! I was afraid it would take away from class time, but they actually work faster on their regular assignments on days we start with a mind warm-up. They're also more willing to tackle new concepts without panicking. "
– Roxanna Rubinic
– Columbus City Schools
"I wanted to thank you again for coming out to Albuquerque and speaking at the Inspiring Mathematical Minds conference. You did a phenomenal job! The entire Albuquerque Public School math department board as well as the district leaders were beyond impressed!"
– Aaron Springer
– McGraw Hill Education
"I really can't convey just how much I love your session. There are some people who are amazing at presenting information in a way that keeps people engaged and you are definitely one of them! Which I guess I should have figured given your session topic!"
– Christina Tondevold
– Building Math Minds
"My kids are excited to come to math class now and I can't believe how much they are capable of!"
– Intervention Specialist
– Columbus City Schools
"Dr. Shah's full day workshop was awesome! Two days later, we are still talking Math!!! It was a wonderful PD. Thank you for your time, insight AND activities."
– Karen Mahan
– Lorain Digital Academy