Teaching Mindset Mathematics: A Research-Backed Approach for Raising Mathematics Achievement
Event Series: Roslyn Z. Wolf Lecture in Urban Education
Date: Friday, September 11, 2026, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Location: Embassy Suites by Hilton Cleveland Rockside, 5800 Rockside Woods Blvd N, Independence, OH 44131
Attention Educators! Join Us for Our Fall 2026 Lecture, Teaching Mindset Mathematics: A Research-Backed Approach for Raising Mathematics Achievement with Dr. Jo Boaler, Stanford University Graduate School of Education.
About This Event
Recent years have seen an explosion of scientific evidence showing that there is a different way to teach and learn mathematics. When people take a “mindset mathematics” approach in all grades, different pathways open up, leading to higher and more equitable achievement. A mindset mathematics approach involves teaching math(s) as a conceptual subject, highlighting the connections between ideas, giving students mindset messages as they learn, sharing math as a visual subject. In this presentation, Dr. Boaler will engage attendees in looking together at different mathematical ideas and considering how they can be learned through a mindset mathematics approach.
Register today to secure your spot! The event is free and registration is required (see below). Also receive a copy of Dr. Boaler’s book “Math-ish: Finding Creativity, Diversity and Meaning in Mathematics.”
Speaker
Dr. Jo Boaler is the Nomellini Olivier Professor of Education at Stanford University. Former roles have included being the Marie Curie Professor of Mathematics Education in England, and a maths teacher in London comprehensive schools. Her PhD won the national award for educational research in the UK. She is an elected fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (Great Britain), and a former president of the International Organization for Women and Mathematics Education (IOWME). She is the recipient of a National Science Foundation ‘Early Career Award,’ the NCSM Kay Gilliland Equity Award (2014), and the CMC Walter Denham Mathematics Leadership award (2015). She is the author of 19 books and numerous research articles. She is an elected fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a White House presenter on women and girls. She co-founded youcubed.org to give teachers, parents and students the resources and ideas they need to inspire and excite students about mathematics. Her work has been published in The New York Times, TIME magazine, The Telegraph, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal and many other news outlets. She is also the co-founder of Struggly.com, an award-winning online maths learning tool. Her latest book is Math-ish: Finding Creativity, Diversity and Meaning in Mathematics, published by Harper Collins. She was one of the writing team for the 2023 California Mathematics Framework, is co-leading a K-12 Data Science Initiative, and was named as one of the eight educators “changing the face of education” by the BBC.
Agenda
9:00 a.m. Doors Open
9:30-11:30 a.m. Speaker’s Remarks and Audience Q&A
Enjoy a continental breakfast.
About the RZW Lecture
Each fall and spring semester, the Center for Educational Leadership at Cleveland State University, in partnership with the Greater Cleveland School Superintendents' Association, invites a national or international thought leader to speak to a diverse audience of civic leaders, school leaders, university faculty, and other invited guests. The endowed lecture focuses on urban issues in honor of the late Roslyn Z. Wolf, whose civic-minded work in the Greater Cleveland community is legendary.
About Roslyn Z. Wolf
The late Roslyn Z. Wolf was actively engaged in academic, fine arts, and community organizations throughout her adult life. A Cleveland native, she served on the board of trustees of Cleveland State University from 1990 until 1999. She also served on the boards of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Great Lakes Science Center, The Cleveland Orchestra, and was actively in many other organizations. Mrs. Wolf was married to The Honorable Milton A. Wolf, United States Ambassador to Austria.
In 2004, Ambassador Wolf established The Roslyn Z. Wolf Endowed Chair in Urban Educational Leadership in loving memory of his wife, to provide support to CSU’s College of Education and Public Affairs [today known as the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education] to build upon its strong reputation as a thought-leader in the field of Urban Education.