They Didn't Fail Math--Math Failed Them: Designing a Math Class for All Learners

Students don’t fail math—math instruction fails them when it isn’t intentionally designed with access in mind. Drawing on years of supporting students with disabilities and personal experiences that reveal what happens when learners are overlooked, this session invites educators to rethink who their instruction is built for. Together, we’ll explore the instructional barriers—both visible and hidden—that prevent students from meaningfully engaging with grade-level mathematics. We’ll examine how designing with students with disabilities in mind removes those barriers and strengthens learning opportunities for every student in the room. Participants will reflect on their own practices and leave with high-impact, immediately usable strategies to increase access, inclusion, and mathematical success for all learners.