PowerMyLearning

Earlier this week, PowerMyLearning’s Director of Math Jillian Mendoza and Product Research & Insights Specialist Brian Baker, Ed.M. joined educators, district leaders, and AI practitioners at the 2026 AI Empowered EDU Conference in Portland, Oregon.

Their session, “Designing with AI to Amplify Teacher’s Math Instruction,” explored how MathVoice uses purpose-built AI to help educators better understand student mathematical thinking, moving beyond right-or-wrong answers to reveal how students reason through math concepts.

Key themes and takeaways included:
✨ Educators are eager for AI tools that strengthen instruction while keeping teachers firmly at the center of decision-making.
✨ District leaders are looking for practical, scalable ways to better understand student thinking and support stronger math outcomes across classrooms.
✨ Session attendees responded strongly to MathVoice’s play-based approach and classroom examples, sparking conversations about how mathematical discourse can deepen engagement, surface misconceptions, and make student thinking more visible.

PowerMyLearning’s 2026 Innovative Learning Awards celebrated what’s possible when students are empowered to explain their thinking, build confidence in math, and see themselves as mathematicians.

Check out our event recap for:
✨ Highlights and photos from the evening
✨ Reflections from honorees
✨ Our new video showing MathVoice in action

Thank you to everyone who joined us! There’s still time to complete your pledge and support our work as we continue expanding MathVoice to more classrooms nationwide.
https://blog.powermylearning.org/a-look-inside-the-2026-innovative-learning-awards

We’re excited to see educators and system leaders using the Foundations of Numeracy as a practical tool for stronger math decision-making.

Our Director of Math Jillian Mendoza highlights how the framework can help schools and districts move beyond surface-level alignment toward deeper coherence.

What does it actually mean to make research-backed math decisions at the school or district level?

That's the question Jillian Mendoza of PowerMyLearning tackles in this guest post — and the answer is more actionable than you might expect. She walks through the Foundations of Numeracy framework and how leaders can use it to evaluate curriculum, build coherence across programs, and ensure students are getting the full picture of what it takes to develop lasting mathematical proficiency.

Whether you're a principal, instructional coach, or district leader, this one is worth bookmarking.
Link in the comments!

In a new piece for EdSource, PowerMyLearning CEO Arun Ramanathan and Kiddom’s Abbas Manjee explore how AI can deepen student thinking instead of replacing teaching.

Check out their Star Trek-inspired ideas for designing learning environments that truly support teachers and students. 👇

COMMENTARY: ‘Star Trek’ didn’t replace teachers or ban screens; nor should we Just like in “Star Trek,” technology should function as infrastructure rather than instructor, part of the environment, not the focus of attention.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the 2026 Innovative Learning Awards last night. The evening was a powerful reminder of what happens when students are empowered to explain their thinking, build confidence, and see themselves as mathematicians.

CEO Arun Ramanathan shared how MathVoice is helping teachers go beyond right answers to truly understand student reasoning and unlock deeper learning.

We were honored to recognize Robert Hughes for his leadership advancing math education and for reminding us that even in the age of AI, human relationships must remain at the center of learning.

Our PS70Q honorees brought that impact to life:
- Vicky, a second grade student, captured it best: “MathVoice activities allow me to express my thinking and understand problems better.”
- Parent of the Year, Christiana, shared how these conversations are building confidence and persistence at home.
- Teacher of the Year, Joanna Demetropoulos-Filippidis, reflected: “When a student explains their ‘how’ and ‘why,’ I become a better teacher, and they become better problem solvers.”

We’re deeply grateful to our honorees, sponsors, supporters, and community for making this moment possible. Now, we invite you to help continue the momentum and bring MathVoice to even more students nationwide. https://powermylearning.harnessgiving.org/donate/?checkout=13877&selected-method=one-time&amount=250&campaign_id=17679

More to come soon. 💜

We’re looking forward to welcoming our community in NYC for the 2026 Innovative Learning Awards tonight!

During Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re especially excited to honor the educators and partners who bring this work to life in classrooms every day. Your impact on students is what makes this moment possible. 💐

We’re also deeply grateful to our sponsors for supporting this work and helping expand opportunities for more students nationwide.

See you soon. 🎉

Tomorrow’s the day! On May 5 in NYC, we’re bringing together educators, leaders, and partners for the 2026 Innovative Learning Awards, an evening celebrating real progress in how students learn math.

There’s still time to join us. Be part of the conversation, hear powerful stories from classrooms, and connect with a community working to ensure every student builds the math skills they need for lifelong success.

🎟️ Reserve your tickets: https://powermylearning.harnessgiving.org/events/3583

Can’t make it? You can still be part of the impact. ❤️ Support our work to reach more students and classrooms nationwide: https://powermylearning.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/20318

We’re just a few days away from the 2026 Innovative Learning Awards in NYC on May 5!

A big thank you to our Champion Sponsor, Mainline RTP, LLC, for supporting our work to help every student build strong math foundations and bringing that opportunity to more classrooms nationwide.

We’re looking forward to gathering with leaders across education to celebrate real progress in math learning and the partnerships making it possible.

If you’re in NYC, we’d love to have you join us.

🎟️ Reserve your tickets: https://hubs.la/Q04f8mg80

What can Star Trek teach us about AI in education?

In a new piece for EdSource, PowerMyLearning CEO Arun Ramanathan and Kiddom’s Abbas Manjee explore how AI can deepen student thinking instead of replacing teaching.

Check out their three Star Trek-inspired ideas for designing learning environments that truly support teachers and students.

Where do you see AI adding value to student learning and where should it step back?

COMMENTARY: ‘Star Trek’ didn’t replace teachers or ban screens; nor should we Just like in “Star Trek,” technology should function as infrastructure rather than instructor, part of the environment, not the focus of attention.

We had a wonderful time learning from these first-grade mathematicians at Reynolds Elementary (Spring ISD) in Houston.

In Ms. Landry’s classroom, students are explaining their thinking, building on each other’s ideas, and making sense of math together. During a MathVoice lesson on counting coins, the level of math discourse, engagement, and confidence was incredible to see. Students were so energized and Ms. Landry says they regularly ask for “more math!”

That energy is felt across the school. Principal Livingston has built a strong foundation for math learning, with a clear focus on helping students develop deep understanding from the earliest grades. You can see it in how students talk about math, take risks, and demonstrate their thinking with pride.

We can’t wait to show you a snippet of the magic we experienced at the 2026 Innovative Learning Awards on May 5. Learn more and secure your tickets: https://powermylearning.org/2026-innovative-learning-awards/

Heading to the 2026 ASU GSV Summit in San Diego next week?

Don’t miss the chance to join Dr. Arun Ramanathan and Emily Amick as they take the stage alongside incredible partners to tackle some of the biggest questions in education right now.

Catch PowerMyLearning at these sessions on Monday, April 13:

1️⃣ "A Vision for How Supplementals Can Build Strong Coherence Through AI" → How AI-enabled tools can strengthen instruction, not fragment it.

2️⃣ "Building Math Minds: Counting, Curiosity & How Early Numeracy Really Develops" → What it takes to build strong early math foundations.

3️⃣ "Balancing Innovation, Invention, and Student Outcomes" → How to push the boundaries of innovation while staying grounded in what drives real, measurable impact for students.

We’re excited to be part of these conversations and can’t wait to connect with you there.

🔗 Check out the full schedule: https://asugsvsummit.com/agenda/schedule