At this year’s National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) conference in Atlanta, Open Up Resources (OUR) stood out as a catalyst for change blending access, technology, and teacher empowerment into a dynamic, educator-centered experience. From powerful sessions to lively booth events, Open Up Resources was there to remind attendees that when we design learning experiences with teachers and students at the center, we create classrooms where every learner belongs and thrives.
Centering Identity, Culture, and Language in Math
Throughout the conference, Open Up Resources team members inspired educators to see mathematics through the lens of identity, culture, and language. In “The Power of Identity & Culture: Empowering Student Success,” Tywana Fulford, Cathy Dickson, and Ally Lewis led discussions about how strengths-based assessment and culturally relevant practices shape students’ math identities. Educators were invited to rethink what it means to measure progress by moving beyond numbers and toward recognizing the diverse knowledge students bring into the classroom.
OUR’s focus on multilingual learners stood out with “Language Objectives: A Tool for Promoting Academic Language Development & Mathematical Understanding,” presented by Zach Hill and Ally Lewis. This session empowered teachers to integrate language objectives seamlessly into their lessons, supporting both mathematical reasoning and academic language growth. Participants left with practical strategies and a deeper understanding of how language and math learning reinforce one another.
Tools That Serve Teachers and Students
OUR’s partnership at Casio’s booth drew continuous crowds eager to experience what happens when great curriculum meets purposeful technology. The Hands-On Math demos showcased how Casio’s calculator tools align with the Open Up Resources—California Standards curriculum to bring the new California Math Framework to life. Educators got to see firsthand how technology can amplify conceptual understanding, encourage student voice, and make real-time problem-solving more engaging.
Also at the Casio booth, Open Up Resources revealed the highly anticipated Humanizing Mathematics PreK–5 curriculum which is now available for pilots and will be available for full adoption in June 2026. The curriculum is thoughtfully crafted and problem-based, offering standards-aligned mathematics experiences that honor and reflect the lives, cultures, and communities inside classrooms.
A Celebration of Community and Joy
Beyond the sessions and demos, OUR brought heart and celebration to NCTM 2025 with Mathematics Remix Live — an energizing gathering hosted by Dr. Kristopher Childs and Brooke Powers. With music from OUR’s house DJ, J-Smoov, attendees enjoyed snacks and an unmistakably joyful vibe. The event reminded everyone that teaching mathematics is as much about community and connection as it is about content. It was a space for educators to dance, laugh, and recharge together sharing a powerful reminder that joy and belonging fuel lasting educational change.
Moving Math Forward, Together
From reimagining language practices to pioneering student-centered curricula, Open Up Resources made its mark at NCTM 2025 as a partner in progress. Every session, demo, and conversation reflected OUR’s unwavering commitment to access, high quality, and a strong educator community.