Math Summit 2026: Redefining Math Excellence: Building a New Era of Highly Trained Math Teachers

For years, literacy has been at the forefront of the educational spotlight. Rightly so, reading is foundational. But while the science of reading has reshaped instruction, math has waited quietly in the wings. That wait is over!

On February 4, 2026, districts across the country will gather at the FIRST Education Math Summit for a day designed to redefine what math education can be.

Featuring Keynote Speaker: Professor John Hattie

We are honored to open the summit with an exclusive keynote from Professor John Hattie, the world-renowned researcher whose groundbreaking Visible Learning work has transformed how educators think about impact. His insights into what makes teachers most effective will frame the day, grounding every conversation in evidence, urgency, and the potential for real change.

Why This Summit Matters

Math achievement continues to lag, opportunity gaps are widening, and too many students question their confidence in math. At the same time, math teachers often report feeling underprepared and under-supported. The need has never been greater to act with urgency, clarity, and vision.

That’s why we are launching The Highly Trained Math Teacher (HTMT) Framework—a bold, research-informed approach to growing and recognizing math teacher excellence. This isn’t just another set of strategies. It’s a system—a roadmap—for elevating math instruction at every level: teacher preparation, classroom culture, standards-aligned planning, assessment, ongoing professional learning, and measurable growth.

What to Expect at the Summit

Throughout this full-day experience, educators will:

Examine the HTMT Framework and explore how it brings coherence to professional learning, instructional design, and teacher growth.

Dive into classroom-tested strategies aligned with HTMT’s six focus areas, from conceptual instruction and assessment to student engagement and continuous improvement.

Choose breakout sessions tailored to their roles and needs, led by national voices and practitioner experts across K–12 math.

Engage in candid conversations about system gaps, teacher support, and how to turn vision into action.

More Than a Learning Opportunity

This summit is a launchpad. By investing in math teachers, we invest in the future of every student. And with Professor John Hattie setting the stage, we begin this work grounded in the most powerful research about what truly moves learning forward.

Let’s begin the work of building Highly Trained Math Teachers—together.