--- title: Teacher Collaboration Spells Success for Implementing ST Math description: After three years of implementation, Deborah Julsen knew ST Math was working... But the veteran educator was not satisfied. She knew there were missed opportunities and the growth could be even more dramatic. image: https://2024.mindresearch.org/hs-fs/file-373089843-png/images/screen_shot_2013-11-08_at_2.08.04_pm.png --- [![](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hs-fs/hubfs/MIND-logo-2018.jpg?width=1701&height=623&name=MIND-logo-2018.jpg)](http://www.mindresearch.org/) [![mind logo](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/graphics/logos/MIND-logos-color2.svg)](https://www.mindeducation.org/) [![mind white logo](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/graphics/logos/MIND-logos-white2.svg)](https://www.mindeducation.org/) - [Our Approach](https://2024.mindresearch.org/our-approach) - [Why MIND?](https://2024.mindresearch.org/why-math-education) - [Our Research](https://2024.mindresearch.org/our-research) - [Our Patents](https://2024.mindresearch.org/patents) - [Our Impact](https://2024.mindresearch.org/impact) - [Our Partners](https://2024.mindresearch.org/partners) - [Partner Stories](https://2024.mindresearch.org/partner-stories) - Our Programs - [ST Math](http://www.stmath.com/) - [InsightMath](http://www.insightmath.com/) - [MathMINDs](https://www.mindresearch.org/mathminds) - [Life at MIND](https://2024.mindresearch.org/careers) - Resources - [Blog](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog) - [Math Discourse](https://2024.mindresearch.org/puzzletalks) - [Podcast](https://2024.mindresearch.org/edtech-podcast) - [News](https://2024.mindresearch.org/news) - [Activities](https://2024.mindresearch.org/stem-resources) - [Donate](https://store.mindresearch.org/pages/donate) **Student privacy****:** learn more about our commitment to keeping students safe [Read More](https://www.mindresearch.org/privacy-policy) ![MIND-on-Math_Blog-Header-5](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hs-fs/hubfs/graphics/headers/_blog-headers/MIND-on-Math_Blog-Header-5.png?width=2000&height=667&name=MIND-on-Math_Blog-Header-5.png "MIND-on-Math_Blog-Header-5") Category Community Teaching & Learning Technology & Games Research & Outcomes Neuroscience Celebrations & Successes [![Subscribe](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237516/a35fb57d-2960-4554-a0f3-e7bb5946fc70.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237516/a35fb57d-2960-4554-a0f3-e7bb5946fc70) [Community](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/topic/community) # Teacher Collaboration Spells Success for Implementing ST Math By [Guest Blogger](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/author/guest-blogger) - - - - - [mailto:?subject=Teacher%20Collaboration%20Spells%20Success%20for%20Implementing%20ST%20Math&body=Teacher%20Collaboration%20Spells%20Success%20for%20Implementing%20ST%20Math%20https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/bid/349055/teacher-collaboration-spells-success-for-implementing-st-math](mailto:?subject=Teacher%20Collaboration%20Spells%20Success%20for%20Implementing%20ST%20Math&body=Teacher%20Collaboration%20Spells%20Success%20for%20Implementing%20ST%20Math%20https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/bid/349055/teacher-collaboration-spells-success-for-implementing-st-math) - *By Tim Woodward, MIND Research Institute* After three years of implementation, Deborah Julsen knew ST Math was working. As the data coordinator at Bailey Middle School in Las Vegas, Deborah had the evidence to back it up; comprehensive testing showed that [students who used ST Math the most also saw the greatest growth](http://www.mindresearch.net/pdf/LV_ClarkCounty_2009-2011.pdf).   But the veteran educator was not satisfied.  She knew there were missed opportunities and the growth could be even more dramatic.     ![Screen Shot 2013 11 08 at 2.08.04 PM](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hs-fs/file-373089843-png/images/screen_shot_2013-11-08_at_2.08.04_pm.png) The problem: teachers had difficulty helping students make the connections between the conceptual, visual mathematical representations in ST Math and the abstract, symbolic ones found in the school’s textbook curriculum. This roadblock meant some teachers dismissed ST Math, choosing not to spend valuable class time “playing games,” while others who believed in the program still struggled to see how the games supported their daily lessons. So Deborah created an ST Math Educators Cohort. As a condition for using ST Math, teachers have to participate in the cohort’s monthly meetings, which have only one requirement: at each meeting, teachers come prepared to share with the group a classroom lesson built around an ST Math game.   The cohort discusses the proposed lesson, asks questions and offers suggestions for changes. Teachers work together to perfect a lesson, explore additional games that support the targeted concept and offer textbook pages that facilitate the desired connections.     ![Woodward blog copy resized 600](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hs-fs/file-377067570-jpg/images/woodward_blog_copy-resized-600.jpg?width=402&height=536&name=woodward_blog_copy-resized-600.jpg)   Teachers are invited to observe the lessons in action, and resources are shared so that others in the cohort can teach the lesson. Each time it is taught, the lesson becomes more refined and more robust as each teacher adds his or her own expertise and creativity.   The intention is that over time, the lessons are collected, so that future ST Math teachers have a dynamic and comprehensive library customized to the student population and resources of the school.   Deborah’s cohort is just starting out, but already the participants are seeing results. Bringing JiJi, the animated penguin in the ST Math games, into the classroom has energized students, and ST Math curricula are no longer taught in isolation from classroom lessons.   In the lab, students see the value of ST Math more clearly and are more engaged from day one. And teachers are benefiting too; analyzing the games to use in the classroom has brought more depth to their understanding of mathematical concepts and inspired new ways to reach the most difficult to teach students.   By encouraging teacher collaboration and providing the forum for collaboration to happen, Bailey Middle School is finding new ways to build on the success they’ve already seen.   *Tim Woodward, MFA, is an education success manager for MIND Research Institute.* ![Guest Blogger](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/Graphics/jiji_wave.png) ### About the Author MIND Research Institute welcomes guest blogs that highlight best practices in math education, blended learning and innovative learning strategies that inspire students at all ages. ### Comment #### [Removing Language Barriers from Math Education](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/removing-language-barriers-math) [JiJi’s Fall Road Trip](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/bid/351363/jiji-s-fall-road-trip) ### Search Result By: ![feature image](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/Blog/Images/Inside-our-Minds-logo-teal-800x800.png) [Featured Podcast](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/topic/featured-podcast) ### [Rethinking Attendance in Edtech](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/rethinking-attendance-in-edtech) [Listen Now](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/rethinking-attendance-in-edtech) ##### LATEST PODCAST EPISODES ###### BY MIND RESEARCH INSTITUTE - [Rethinking Attendance in Edtech](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/rethinking-attendance-in-edtech) - [People, Process, and Penguins: Designing Math Experiences](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/people-process-penguins) - [Bridging STEM Gaps with STEMconnector CEO Jo Webber](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/bridging-stem-gaps-with-stemconnector-ceo-jo-webber) - [The EdTech Genome Project: Talking Implementation with Elizabeth Birie](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/edtech-genome-project) - [From Meeting the Moment to Foundational Change](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/from-meeting-the-moment-to-foundational-change) ##### [See all podcasts](https://www.mindresearch.org/edtech-podcast) ## Interested in Contributing? 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