Professional Learning Frequently Asked Questions
Professional Learning Structure and Recommendation
How are IM’s professional learning sessions structured?
Our professional learning is structured much like learning in an IM classroom—social, collaborative, and cyclical. With the guidance of an expert facilitator, participants experience the learning through individual reflection, conversations with a partner or small group, and syntheses in whole-group discussion. Sessions move through this cycle as participants and facilitators collaborate to do math, reflect on our practice, and cultivate a positive and inclusive learning community.
What are some highlights about IM Certified® Professional Learning for educators who are new to IM’s problem-based approach?
IM Certified® blog posts are an excellent resource to learn more about IM Professional Learning.
To learn more about IM problem-based classrooms, check out Elements of Problem-Based Teaching and Learning, featuring visuals used during PL sessions and exciting 360º classroom footage.
To discover more about the four pillars of the IM Classroom (curriculum, professional learning, leaders, and community) and learn how the classroom creates conditions for every student to experience a sense of belonging and empowerment in mathematics, read Beyond Curriculum Adoption: A Vision of the IM Classroom.
What PL session do you recommend if I am just getting started with IM?
If you are new to the IM curriculum, we recommend the IM Teach & Learn sessions. This series provides first-hand experience with the curriculum and prepares educators to competently navigate problem-based curriculum and put student thinking front and center.
Our offerings support educators at every level and include comprehensive learning packages through IM Certified® partners and directly from IM via the newly added IM Academy.
How do I register to participate in a Teach & Learn Professional Learning Event?
There are multiple ways to register for Teach & Learn PL events:
- IM Academy PL Events are processed via Eventbrite.
- Other upcoming dates and times are offered through IM Certified Professional Learning at Partner Academies.
- PL for your school or district can also be purchased and scheduled through an IM Certified curriculum partner.
What support is available for math leaders and coaches?
In addition to the Teach & Learn sessions, IM’s suite of PL offers math leaders workshops focused on observing and supporting teachers who are at a variety of stages in their experience and careers, from the preparation phase to years 1, 2, and beyond.
Pathways include professional learning community (PLC) options and focus on common implementation challenges such as leading implementation, facilitating teacher collaboration, teaching for access and equity, support for unfinished teaching and learning, vertical alignment, formative assessment, and more. Schedule a call with our team or contact your IM Certified partner for more information.
IM Partners and Professional Learning Offerings
Why does IM have multiple partners for curriculum and Professional Learning?
Illustrative Mathematics is a nonprofit organization, and our curriculum is an open educational resource (OER), which means it’s free and available for anyone to use under a Creative Commons (CC BY) license. IM Certified® partners offer the IM curriculum with enhanced teacher and student experiences in digital and print formats, and guarantee all enhancements are thoroughly vetted by the IM authors. The IM Certified® designation ensures that schools and districts are accessing curricular materials that are always up-to-date, high-quality, and aligned to IM’s vision.
IM Certified partners offer a variety of resources to match schools and districts’ unique needs. Having multiple partners ensures that districts and schools are given a choice in the ways they access IM’s curriculum, with the tools and resources that best align to their teaching and learning preferences.
In addition to authoring the curriculum, Illustrative Mathematics authors all of the professional learning, and trains the IM Certified® facilitators (IMCFs) who deliver it. IM Certified distribution partners offer both IM Certified curricula and professional learning. IM Certified Professional Learning service partners provide professional learning exclusively. All IM Certified curriculum distribution and professional learning partners offer the same IM-authored PL. Once districts and schools have chosen a professional learning partner, that partner schedules the comprehensive learning packages that meet their needs during the preparation year, implementation year 1, year 2, and beyond.
Illustrative Mathematics also offers professional learning directly through the newly added IM Academy. IM Academy gives individual educators and independent consultants the opportunity to engage in our immersive professional learning sessions, so they can implement IM’s problem-based curriculum with confidence.
What are the advantages of the virtual academy Professional Learning sessions?
Virtual options offer flexibility when accommodating, booking, and attending PL sessions. If a district needs to enroll individuals or a small number of participants, they have the option to purchase individual registration “per seat.” Virtual sessions also remove the barrier of travel costs and time away from home. Despite the virtual nature, the experience is still interactive and focuses on the same learning goals as on-site sessions. (Learn more about IM Academy and Partner Academies.)
Will the Professional Learning be relevant to the IM curriculum materials I’m using in my classroom? What if I am (or am not) switching over to the new version? What if I use a digital platform other than the free digital materials?
IM Professional Learning is accessible for educators no matter which IM Certified partner their school has chosen or which version—IM K–12 Math or IM v.360. For example, during the summer 2024 IM Academy sessions, facilitators will use IM’s free digital curriculum platforms. Participants can use their platform of choice if their school uses another digital platform for curriculum access.
How can I access the free digital curriculum by IM?
Getting access depends on which course resources you are seeking and whether you are already using our current free digital materials as an open education resource (OER) or if you are a new IM user.
- If you currently use IM K–12 Math on the IM Kendall Hunt OER site, you will not need to sign up to access the free digital materials for IM v.360. Instead, navigate to the bottom of the new AccessIM website to sign in.
- If you are new to IM curricula, sign up on either site: the IM Kendall Hunt OER site or the new AccessIM v.360 website. Teacher accounts created on either site will work for both sites.
- Some IM v.360 courses will be available for the 2024–25 school year, while other curricula course resources will be available for the 2025–26 school year. Learn more about IM v.360 here and from our webinar and FAQ.
Have more questions about IM Certified Professional Learning?
For questions about professional learning offerings, how we work with partners for professional learning and curriculum, or to learn more about IM curricula, connect with Patti, Ray, or Timesha of the IM Client Support team to schedule a personalized question-and-answer session.
