Houston-area math educators, instructional leaders and university scholars gathered at Rice University on Saturday, Oct. 24, for the 2026 Rice University Mathematics Educator Summit. Hosted by the Rice University School Mathematics Project (RUSMP) — part of the Rice Center for Education within the Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies — the event brought together educators from across the region for a day focused on innovation, research-driven instruction and collaborative leadership.

The summit marked the 80th Mathematics Teacher Networking Conference organized by RUSMP. Guided by this year’s theme, “Mathematics for Life in a Changing World,” the event addressed the evolving landscape of PreK–12 STEM education, equipping teachers with actionable strategies to foster mathematical reasoning and student success for all.

“For nearly four decades, RUSMP has served as a vital bridge between the research community at Rice and PreK–12 classrooms across Texas,” said Adem Ekmekci, Ph.D., director of RUSMP. “The 2026 Summit provided a unique platform where teachers could tackle the real-world complexities of modern education, from integrating artificial intelligence to serving multilingual learners, while strengthening their own professional networks.”

Morning Networking & Professional Community

The event opened with an intentional focus on community-building and peer exchange. Teachers and administrators connected over morning refreshments, sharing insights from their respective campuses, discussing common challenges in today’s classrooms and participating in networking ice-breakers and math games.

For many attendees, the structured networking time provided a valuable opportunity to form cross-district partnerships and collaborate on common instructional goals.

“Teaching math in today’s rapidly evolving environment can sometimes feel isolating, but gathering with hundreds of passionate colleagues changes that dynamic entirely,” Ekmekci said. “When we give educators the time and space to connect, share experiences and inspire one another, we elevate the quality of instruction across entire school systems.”

Keynote Address: Inspiring Mathematical Leadership

Following the morning networking period, attendees gathered for the summit’s keynote address, delivered by Claudia Aguirre, Ed.D., president and CEO of BakerRipley.

A former teacher, charter school founder and school district superintendent, Aguirre brings nearly three decades of leadership in education, public service and community development. As leader of one of the nation's largest community development nonprofits — serving more than half a million residents annually — she offered a compelling perspective on how to address the difficult landscape in education today. Drawing comparisons between the communities BakerRiply serves and today’s students, Aguirre challenged the audience to not “fix what is broken” but to empower what is possible.

Participants appreciated the personal message delivered by Aguirre, with one saying, “I appreciated the keynote speaker. That was an inspirational and impactful message. Through Dr. Aguirre's talk, I've shifted my mindset on how to help the students on my campus. Thank you!”

Breakout Sessions: Translating Research into Practice

Following the keynote, participants attended a series of interactive breakout sessions designed to translate high-level research into immediate classroom application. Led by master teachers and education specialists, the tracks explored six primary themes: Mathematics Excellence for Every Learner, Curriculum into Practice, Mathematics in the Age of AI, Mathematics Beyond the Classroom, Emergent Multilingual Learners and Leadership Pathways.

These themes were woven into the seven breakout sessions throughout the day with different grade-level groupings, allowing participants to gain valuable insights tailored to their unique student populations. Sessions included:

• Personalizing Math Mastery Access for Diverse Learners and Diagnostic Precision
  Smita Shrivastava, KoolSchool

• Think, Talk, Solve: Unlocking Math for Multilingual Learners Through Language Routines and Problem-Based Design
  Oscar Perales, Amplify

• Stories That Count: Cultivating Math Identities Through Culturally Relevant Books
  Dr. Carrie Cutler, University of Houston

• Let’s Talk Math: Helping Multilingual Learners Show What They Know
  Viana Elliyoun, Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions

• Multisensory Math for Elementary Grades
  Amy Williams, Annunciation Orthodox School

• When Calling Parents Isn’t Your Calling: Math Edition
  Crystal Frommert, French American School of New York

• Introduction to National Board Certification
  Fernanda Razo, Texas National Board Coalition for Teaching

Participants noted the value of both the variety of topics covered, the practical guidance and the variety of grade-level options.

Participant Perspective

• "I left the session learning new strategies that I will be bringing back to my campus."
• "Unlocking math for multilingual learners was AMAZING!"
• "The speakers are very engaging and passionate."
• "I love the hand-on collaborative practice provided in the sessions."
• "Great breakout session options. I will definitely share this experience with colleagues."
  

Expanding Educational Access

As school districts across Texas navigate tightening budgets and reduced professional development funding, community sponsorships play an increasingly crucial role in ensuring teachers retain access to high-caliber training.

The 2026 Rice University Mathematics Educator Summit was sponsored by Amplify, whose support allowed RUSMP to offer event programming at an accessible cost to schools and teachers.

“The Glasscock School is deeply committed to making Rice-quality experiences and professional development accessible to every educator in our region,” said Brenda Rangel, Ed.D., Assistant Dean for the Rice Center for Education. “In times of tight school budgets, teachers are often forced to do more with fewer resources. Committed corporate partners like Amplify make it possible for us to remove financial barriers so educators can access the professional learning and support they deserve.”

Overcoming Budget Constraints Through Community Sponsorship

In an era of increasingly tight school budgets, professional development for educators and administrators is often among the first line items to face reductions. Recognizing this challenge, the Glasscock School worked to ensure that top-tier training remained accessible to local educators despite growing fiscal constraints.

Through a generous sponsorship from CenterPoint Energy, the Glasscock School offered reduced tuition for attending educators and school district representatives, significantly lowering financial barriers and enabling broader regional participation.

“At the Glasscock School, we are deeply committed to making Rice’s educational resources accessible across our region, especially to the dedicated leaders shaping our youngest learners,” said Robert Bruce, dean of the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies. “When school budgets are squeezed, professional development opportunities are frequently cut short. Committed sponsors like CenterPoint Energy make it possible for us to bridge that gap, opening Rice’s doors to educators who bring these vital insights directly back to their classrooms and communities.”

Continuing Impact

The summit represents one component of RUSMP’s year-round commitment to STEM education. Since its founding in 1987, RUSMP has impacted over 14,000 teachers and 20,000 K–12 students across more than 150 school districts, private schools, and charter networks. Now housed within the Center for Education at the Glasscock School, RUSMP continues to expand its reach through teacher courses, Math Circles and summer learning programs for elementary, middle and high school students.

To learn more about the Rice University School Mathematics Project, visit rusmp.rice.edu.