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«Back to all edWebinarsHow Every Brain Learns Math: A Visual Pathway for All Learners
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EST
Presented by Nigel Nisbet, Former Educator, Current Vice President of Content Creation, MIND Education; and Teri Malpass, Principal, Red Hill Elementary (CA)
Moderated by Jennifer Anderson, Senior Manager, Content Marketing, MIND Education
Sponsored by MIND Education
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
How do students across the learning continuum build meaningful, lasting understanding in math? This first edWebinar of Math the Way Every Brain Learns: Engaging All Learners Week introduces the neuroscience behind visual-first, spatial-temporal learning and reveals why instruction aligned to how the brain naturally learns creates powerful access points for all learners.
Attendees will see examples of students making sense of math through visuals, feedback, and exploration, and hear how schools are using this approach to elevate engagement, deepen thinking across diverse learner groups, and improve student achievement. This edWebinar will be of interest to PreK-12 teachers, school leaders, district leaders, and education technology leaders.
This edWebinar is part of Math the Way Every Brain Learns: Engaging All Learners Week.
About the Presenters
Armed with a mathematics degree and early success as a rock musician, Nigel Nisbet moved to the U.S. to teach mathematics, AP Physics, and AP Computer Science at Van Nuys Senior High, where he was a pioneer in integrating technology into the classroom. After a spell in district mathematics leadership at the Los Angeles Unified School District, Nigel joined the nonprofit MIND Education team in the spring of 2010, gave a TEDx talk on The Geometry of Chocolate in 2012, and, as the Vice President of Content Creation, has written and talked extensively about his and MIND’s passion for teaching mathematics the way the brain learns.
Teri Malpass is an experienced educational leader whose career reflects a longstanding commitment to high-quality mathematics instruction, student perseverance, and deep conceptual understanding through ST Math and Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI). With decades of experience across multiple roles, she brings a practical, student-centered approach to instructional leadership, grounded in rich classroom practice.
Teri began her career in 1998 as a first-grade teacher, where she first implemented ST Math as a core instructional tool. Over her many years in the primary classroom, she saw firsthand how visual reasoning, problem solving, and productive struggle helped students build strong mathematical foundations and confidence. Her success in early elementary settings led to expanded leadership opportunities, including serving as a district mathematics Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) and later teaching middle school mathematics in grades 6–8, where ST Math continued to support deeper conceptual understanding at higher levels.
As a math coach and TOSA, Teri collaborated closely with educators to strengthen mathematical instruction across classrooms. She emphasized key elements of effective ST Math implementation—student discourse, productive struggle, and perseverance—to build systemwide capacity for rigorous, conceptually focused math teaching. Her leadership continued to grow as she transitioned into administration as an assistant principal, where she leveraged ST Math as a strategic tool to improve student outcomes and promote equitable access to high-quality mathematics instruction.
Teri now serves as Principal of Red Hill Elementary School in the Tustin Unified School District, currently in her fourth year in the role. Her work is further enriched by her perspective as a parent of two children who used ST Math from kindergarten through fifth grade, reinforcing her belief in the power of persistence and the value of learning through challenge. Across every role, Teri has remained dedicated to cultivating mathematical reasoning, fostering perseverance, and ensuring that all students experience meaningful, empowering learning.
About the Moderator
Jennifer Anderson is the Senior Manager of Content Marketing at MIND Education. Passionate about education, she focuses on fostering engagement and building meaningful connections. Through compelling narratives and innovative programs, Jennifer strives to empower educators and enrich students’ learning experiences.
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
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MIND Education’s math curriculum solutions build conceptual understanding—at scale. Designed to meet students where they are, these programs invite all learners into math in a way that feels natural, intuitive, and empowering—while delivering results proven in classrooms across the country.
