The Brain Science Behind Math Success: How Emotion and Relevance Drive Deeper Learning

Presented by Liesl McConchie, Education Consultant, Math With the Brain in Mind; and Jay Meadows, Former Educator, Current CEO, Exemplars

Co-Sponsored by Math With the Brain in Mind and Exemplars

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What if the key to solving the math crisis in many classrooms isn’t another curriculum or digital platform—but the human brain itself? In this interactive edWebinar, brain expert Liesl McConchie and educational explorer Jay Meadows uncover the inseparable connection between emotion and cognition in math learning.

Drawing from brain science and classroom experience, they reveal how students’ emotional states—curiosity, hope, and a felt sense of value in what they’re learning—can dramatically enhance their capacity to think and learn mathematically. Attendees will learn how to:

• Create emotionally engaging classrooms that ignite curiosity and move students toward optimal learning states
• Design math tasks that feel relevant and meaningful to students’ lives
• Foster autonomy through problem-solving opportunities that honor multiple strategies and student voice

Liesl and Jay will share tangible, classroom-ready strategies and activities that help educators shift students’ neurobiological states toward engagement and growth.

Attendees will leave with a renewed sense of purpose, practical tools to nurture positive emotions in their classrooms, and hope that math learning can be both rigorous and joyful—when students’ hearts and brains work together. This edWebinar will be of interest to K-12 teachers, school leaders, and district leaders.

About the Presenters

Liesl McConchie is an international expert on how the brain learns, author of Building a Positive Math Identity: A Brain Science Approach, and co-author of the best-selling book Brain-Based Learning with Dr. Eric Jensen. She has been published in multiple education journals, including ASCD’s Educational Leadership journal and NCTM’s Mathematics Teacher. With over 25 years of experience in education, Liesl bridges her knowledge of how the brain best learns with her experience of teaching math to create tangible strategies to support teachers and schools across the globe. She has a rich background in education that includes creating new schools, leading whole-school reforms, delivering workshops to educators, and speaking at conferences. Liesl brings the highest quality of research, professionalism, and engagement to all her contributions to the field of education.

Jay Meadows is the Chief Executive Officer of Exemplars, a leading force in redefining how students learn to think mathematically. Jay is also the Co-founder of TRISTAN, an AI augmented assessment tool for teachers and students. With over 30 years in education, Jay brings a rare blend of classroom insight and research-driven innovation. A former middle school math and science teacher, he holds advanced degrees in both teaching and mathematical pedagogy—credentials that reflect his deep commitment to meaningful, effective math instruction. At Exemplars, Jay is not only a primary author of performance tasks but also a national thought partner for educators.

He leads dynamic professional development experiences across the United States, helping teachers transform their classrooms with problem solving, authentic assessment, and the practices that research shows make the biggest difference. His mission is bold: to cultivate a generation of learners who can tackle any challenge with confidence and grit. Jay’s impact extends far beyond U.S. borders. Before his teaching career, he facilitated diplomatic exchange programs for the U.S. State Department, partnered with international nonprofits, and served in the Peace Corps in Kazakhstan. This global lens continues to shape his belief in education as a force for empowerment and improving the world.

Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.

Join the Building Math Proficiency community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.

Liesl McConchie is a recognized expert in brain-based learning, mathematics education, and instructional strategies that improve student achievement. With over 25 years of experience, she has partnered with more than 300 schools to bridge the gap between neuroscience and practical teaching methods. Her dynamic style of presenting demonstrates the principles of effective teaching and learning that will engage any group of educators.

Exemplars provides performance tasks, rubrics, and student anchor papers for schools and districts in Math and Science. Our performance material engages students and promotes reasoning, critical thinking, communication, and problem solving. Our performance tasks are classroom tested and may be used for assessment, instruction, and professional development. Exemplars’ supplemental resources are research based and designed to meet state and national standards.