Presented by Bonnie Nieves, Educator and Founder, Educate On Purpose; Jeremy Vrtis, Math Teacher and Technology Coach, Lyons Township High School (IL); and Paul Burzynski, Founder, Smartschool
Sponsored by Smartschool
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In this edWebinar, learn how to help students move past their aversion to math by building a growth mindset, promoting equity, and creating an inclusive classroom environment. Math aversion often stems from early negative experiences, societal stereotypes, and feelings of exclusion. This session equips you with practical strategies to create a positive, inclusive math culture in the age of AI where all students feel capable and supported.
Through a dynamic discussion between two experienced educators, viewers gain insights into proven strategies for building resilience, fostering a sense of belonging, and encouraging all students to engage confidently with math. The discussion includes a look at how AI can serve as a valuable tool in personalizing support, creating a safe space for practice and enhancing accessibility in math instruction, empowering students who may have struggled in traditional settings to thrive.
We explore approaches that address diverse learning needs and embrace culturally responsive practices while leveraging the growing impact of AI to ensure every student sees themselves as a mathematician.
This recorded edWebinar is of interest to K-12 teachers, school leaders, district leaders, and education technology leaders.
About the Presenters
Bonnie Nieves is an educator and consultant with a passion for blending science education, literacy, and artificial intelligence to enhance student engagement. She is the author of Be Awesome on Purpose and founder of Educate On Purpose Professional Learning Services. Bonnie coaches teachers in STEM education, developing culturally responsive teaching routines and empowering them to integrate AI tools and literacy strategies. She is on a mission to ensure that every teacher knows they have the ability to provide authentic learning for every student that prepares students for a dynamic and interconnected world.
Jeremy Vrtis has dedicated 27 years to high school math education, focusing on helping students who struggle with mathematics find success. For the past 20 years, he has also served as an instructional coach, specializing in using technology to create engaging and effective learning experiences. Jeremy holds master’s degrees in three different fields: curriculum and instruction, school leadership, and technology in education, underscoring his commitment to lifelong learning and innovation. He also enjoys sharing his expertise as an adjunct professor, teaching aspiring teachers about integrating technology in education. In his free time, Jeremy stays active coaching his daughter’s softball team and cheering on his other daughter at various karate tournaments.
Paul Burzynski is a co-founder of Smartschool, an AI-powered educational platform that provides personalized math coaching. Smartschool is an AI teaching assistant for K-12 math teachers, automatically grading students’ handwritten work and delivering instant, personalized feedback. With seven years of experience as a math tutor, Paul understands the impact personalized support can have on a student’s learning journey. Today, he’s dedicated to bringing accessible and effective math support to every classroom. Prior to joining Smartschool, Paul earned a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Cambridge and worked as an AI Research Engineer at Google. He later served as CTO for AI-focused startups, where he led teams in building and scaling advanced AI technologies to solve real-world challenges.
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
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Smartschool is an AI teaching assistant for K-12 math educators, capable of grading student work and providing instant, personalized feedback. Our mission is to bridge learning gaps in every classroom with AI-driven tools for teachers and students.