Sara VanDerWerf Professional Development

Sara VanDerWerf is a former K–12 Math Lead with Minneapolis Public Schools, current President of the Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and an independent mathematics consultant whose resources and professional development sessions inspire teachers to make student thinking visible in every classroom. A veteran teacher of grades 7–12, Sara is known for practical, high-energy strategies that get students talking, moving, and reasoning — including her widely adopted 'Stand and Talks' routine, which promotes mathematical discourse through structured peer conversation. Through her website SaraVanDerWerf.com, she shares free resources, lesson ideas, and teaching strategies grounded in her classroom experience and commitment to equitable mathematics instruction. Her PD sessions are ideal for teachers who want to move beyond worksheet-based instruction toward rich, student-centred mathematical thinking.

Key Takeaways

✓The 'Stand and Talks' routine for promoting mathematical discourse; strategies for making student thinking visible in every lesson; practical, high-energy approaches to student-centred mathematics instruction; free resources and lesson ideas via SaraVanDerWerf.com.

Evidence base: Based on Sara VanDerWerf's extensive classroom teaching experience and leadership of the Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Presenter

Sara VanDerWerf

Sara VanDerWerf is a former K-12 Math Lead with Minneapolis Public Schools, President of the Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and an independent mathematics consultant. She taught grades 7-12 and is known for practical strategies that make student thinking visible.

Mathematics

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