Frequently Asked Questions

Check out our frequently asked questions about Maths Teacher Circle events:

1. I’ve registered for an online session. How will I access it?
2. Are the sessions recorded?
3. Are Maths Teacher Circles for me?
4. What maths skills do I need to attend a session?
5. I’m kind of sick of online learning. How will this be different?
6. I teach in the early years / Year 11 and 12 / in a special school setting. Will I learn stuff that’s RELEVANT for me?
7. I don’t have a say in my school’s maths program. Will I get anything from attending a session?
8. My biggest priority is managing student behaviour. How will maths professional learning help?
9. Should I pay for this with my own money?
10. When do I need to register by?
11. Can I register for just 1 session?
12. I can’t attend a session I’ve registered for. What’s your policy?
13. Are there any face-to-face Maths Teacher Circles?
14. How can I be kept informed about other Maths Teacher Circles events and opportunities?

1. I’ve registered for an online Maths Teacher Circles session. How will I access it? 

In the week leading up to the session, we will email you with information about how to access and prepare for the session.

If you have registered for a session but have not received these emails, please check your junk/spam folders. If our emails just haven’t come through, please contact us.

2. Are the sessions recorded?

Yes! We record the sessions so that you can go back and re-watch the best bits in your own time.

You will receive a recording within a week of when a session is held.

3. Are Maths Teacher Circles for me?

Maths Teacher Circles are for you, if you:

• enjoy doing and being challenged by maths
• are after strategies and recommended resources to help students become better problem solvers and mathematical thinkers
• want dedicated time to focus and reflect on teaching practice
• are keen to build meaningful connections and join a like-minded community.

Maths Teacher Circles are NOT for you if you would prefer to listen to a lecture, rather than engage in problem solving and interact with others. 

We also don’t recommend Maths Teacher Circles if someone else is making the decision for you to attend. We want you to join us because you're curious about maths and teaching. Opt-in attendance means you have the choice over how you are spending your time learning.

Find out more or register today.

4. What maths skills do I need to attend a session?

There is no minimum required maths skills or knowledge that you need to have.

People who get the most out of sessions:

• Come ready to be challenged, and know they will not know everything
• Share their ideas, even when those ideas are half-formed or seem left-of-centre
• Ask questions.

Presenters carefully select tasks with a low floor and high ceiling – meaning these are tasks that will be widely accessible with plenty of room for extension and to be taken in different directions.

You will meet and collaborate with a wide range of teachers. This is the beauty of Maths Teacher Circles! Each person brings their own experiences and insights, resulting in fantastic discussions and learning opportunities.

Find out more or register today.

5. I’m kind of sick of online learning. How will this be different?

Just like in-person workshops can be amazing or not worth your time, we believe it’s the same online.

We want every session you attend to be highly worthwhile and an incredible experience. Each session is practical, interactive and carefully designed so that you have meaningful opportunities to connect with others. 

We also make the most of the online setting, and will introduce you to effective tools for collaborative problem solving and for making sense of mathematical ideas.

Find out more or register today.

6. I teach in the early years / Year 11 & 12 / in a special school setting. Will I learn stuff that’s RELEVANT for me?

Yes! Our sessions are specially designed to allow you to choose from a selection of practical ideas that will suit your teaching.

Here’s a selection of what you might learn about:

• Low floor, high ceiling problem solving tasks that you can use with a wide range of students
• Questioning techniques
• Strategies for supporting students to tackle challenging tasks, organise their thinking, form conjectures, work independently and explain their ideas.
• How to use new tools, such as maths manipulatives and thinking routines
• New mathematical ideas and how concepts are connected.

Find out more or register today.

7. I don’t have a say in my school’s maths program. Will I get anything from attending a session?

Yes! Unlike some professional learning that requires you to follow a program or process, our sessions are designed so that you can choose from a selection of practical ideas that will suit your school context and your teaching. 

For example, you might get new ideas on questioning techniques, how to help students to explain their thinking or tools you can use to explain important concepts.

Find out more or register today.

8. My biggest priority is managing student behaviour. How will maths professional learning help?

“People enjoy fantasy, and that is just what mathematics can provide” – Paul Lockhart, mathematician

We believe that maths can be intriguing, perplexing and fun – and that this is the case no matter your age or level of mathematical experience. In other words, students can enjoy coming to maths class, BECAUSE of maths not in spite of it!

At our sessions, you will explore problems and discuss strategies that can help your students to see maths differently and get excited about coming to your classes.

Find out more or register today.

9. Should I pay for this session with my own money?

Many attendees at Maths Teacher Circle sessions have their registration paid for or covered by their school or institution.

To help make it easier for you to get your registration funded by your school /institution, we made this editable letter so you can request funding.

10. When do I need to register by?

Session registrations are open up until the day before the session.

With a Circles Membership, you will be automatically registered for all sessions within the 12 months of your membership.

Become a Circles Member today.

11. Can I register for just 1 session?

Yes. While we recommend a Circles Membership, so you can get the full benefits of ongoing learning, we know that this option isn't always a possibility.

To register for an individual session, head to the checkout page and select the session you would like to attend.

12. I can’t attend a session I’ve registered for. What’s your policy?

That’s not a problem. Within a week of the session, you will receive a recording AND all session resources so that you can catch up on it in your own time.

You will also still be able to request a certificate recognising the professional learning hours you have done.

13. Are face-to-face Maths Teacher Circles sessions held?

Yes! In addition to the online sessions, we also offer face-to-face options. 

We have extensive consulting experience with primary and secondary teachers. Our team is available to run in-school workshops based on the needs and priorities of school teams.

Find out more about the customised professional learning and consulting options today.

14. How can I be kept informed about other Maths Teacher Circles events and opportunities?

To stay up-to-date about great maths ideas and opportunities, including upcoming Maths Teacher Circle events, enter your details here.