Maui students showcased their skills last week at the annual conference for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics in Atlanta.

The students’ work was featured in a presentation titled “Empowering Math Learners Through Counting Collections and Place-Based Practices.”

According to a news release, the session was presented by Kacie Seitz, curriculum coordinator at Kamaliʻi Elementary; Erin Nuese, RTI coordinator and teacher; and Judy Keeney, math consultant, as they highlighted how Maui students and staff are helping to shape the national conversation around mathematics through their joyful, story-rich and culturally grounded approaches to learning.

At Kamaliʻi Elementary, students explore math through many ways throughout the school day including Counting Collections and Mathematizing Children’s Literature — two approaches that merge storytelling, inquiry and hands-on exploration.

Students collect and count meaningful items from their lives — such as shells, seeds and sea glass — then record, organize and explain their thinking. Through these experiences, they are building deep mathematical understanding while strengthening cultural identity, belonging and connection to place.

The team’s presentation shared classroom videos, student-created representations, and reflections that demonstrated how Maui’s children are redefining what it means to do and see mathematics.

“Students’ voices, drawings, and ideas are being seen and heard by educators around the country,” said Seitz. “Their work shows that mathematics is alive, human, and connected to their experiences and environment.”

This work grows from an ongoing research partnership with Allison Hintz, Ph.D., co-author of “Mathematizing Children’s Literature,” who visits Kamaliʻi annually to lead community math nights and professional learning with staff.