Making Math Meaningful: Strategies to Motivate and Engage All Learners

About the Presenters

Dr. Melissa Dandy Walker is an experienced educator and Digital Learning Specialist with nearly 30 years in education. She has served as a Teacher Support Specialist for over 25 years, providing mentorship, coaching, and professional development to educators. With a strong background in mathematics instruction and digital learning, she is passionate about empowering teachers with innovative strategies that enhance student engagement and achievement. Above all, Dr. Walker is dedicated to creating learning environments where both teachers and students feel seen, valued, and heard, ensuring that every learner has the opportunity to succeed.

Scott Woller is a third-grade teacher at Medford Elementary School in the Medford Area Public School District in Wisconsin. Scott has 32 years of teaching experience and is a graduate of University of Wisconsin and Viterbo University. In his classroom, which his students lovingly refer to as “WollerVille,” Scott believes in ensuring that his students engage in meaningful and authentic practice with learning content that will lead them to mastery. He also has a huge passion for music both inside and outside of the classroom.

Christin Nix is a third-year elementary school principal serving grades PreK-6 at a public school in West Texas. She is also currently working on completing her doctoral degree in educational leadership and administration. Prior to the principalship, Christin served as an elementary school assistant principal, a junior high math teacher, a private school EC-8 coach and specialist teacher, and a high school math teacher. Her teaching experience has encompassed all levels, in three states, serving students of diverse backgrounds like immigrants from a multitude of countries and students from varied cultures and socioeconomic statuses. Prior to grade school education, Christin served in early childhood education, providing learning activities and implementing behavior modification strategies. Educating others has become a versatile profession, necessitating the use of technology, virtual learning platforms, synchronous, asynchronous, ADA accessibility, and flexibility. Learning is most effective when instructors and students engage in collaboration and choice.

Michelle Krill has 24 years of experience as an elementary teacher and Instructional Technology Specialist at South Western School District. A lifelong learner, she has seen how gamification boosts student engagement at all levels. She has used game-based methods in high school personal finance and adult professional development, blending traditional teaching with engaging, game-like elements to motivate learners and improve retention.

Dr. Joshua Prieur is the Director of Educator Enablement at Prodigy Education, a global leader in digital game-based learning. Prior to joining Prodigy Education, Dr. Prieur was an award-winning educator who served in public K-12 education for eight years in Florida. He received his formal K-12 education in Ontario, Canada before moving to the United States for his post-secondary education. While studying for his B.A. and M.S.Ed., he served in many Title I schools across Western New York before beginning his career in public education at The School District of Palm Beach County, one of the largest and most diverse school districts in the United States. Today, Dr. Prieur oversees educator enablement, supporting schools and districts in harnessing the power of game-based learning in their classrooms.