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Conquering Math Myths with Universal Design:
An Inclusive Instructional Approach for Grades K-8

An image of Ron Martiello, a white man with short brown hair and dark rimmed glasses, wearing an orange shirt and smiling
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An image of Dr. Jenna Mancini Rufo, a smiling white woman with long dark hair and dark eyes

Jenna

Ron

Jenna Mancini Rufo is an inclusive education consultant and the founder and CEO of EmpowerED School Solutions. She has worked with state departments of education, disability rights organizations, and school systems across the United States and in Australia to create more equitable and inclusive special education programs.

Ron Martiello is a learning coach in Montgomery County, PA. He has served as a 1st grade teacher, an elementary assistant principal, and elementary principal.  In 2018, Ron became a learning coach to support teachers in the areas of technology and math.

What is Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?

We define UDL as...

  • a framework for inclusive instruction that accounts for individual variability 

  • through intentional design that reduces predictable barriers to learning and 

  • provides multiple ways for students to access information, express their knowledge, and engage with the content.

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UDL and Math: What's the Connection?

"Many of today's pervasive math myths are perpetuated by a teaching approach grounded in the traditional methodology of whole group instruction.  Mathematical content presented in just one, narrow way to the whole class leads to struggles for learners who cannot grasp the content in that particular way."

(Rufo & Martiello, 2024, p. 10)

Activity: My Math Mindsest

Offer your students the following options to share their math mindset with you:

  • “Dear Math…”Pretend that math is a person.  Write a letter to Math explaining your feelings about them.

  • Make a cartoon about your math mindset - what is happening in your head when you think about math? 

  • ​Develop a math menu - share what food math would be and WHY…if it were…

    • Appetizer

    • Main Course

    • Dessert

​

(excerpt from page 23 of "Conquering Math Myths with Universal Design")

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Session Activities

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Resources

Building a Mindset:

  • Restorying Students - Blank Template from Reimagining Special Education:

  • Research on Inclusive Education

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Power Slides - Slides will be posted here.​

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Work with us!  We'd love to support your district.  Email Jenna at jenna@empoweredschool.org to set up a time to discuss your needs.  In the meantime, you can view our catalog of offerings and services page.

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An image of Dr. Jenna Mancini Rufo, a smiling white woman with long dark hair and dark eyes, standing with her arms crossed.
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