Welcoming our 9th cohort ABP!
Salt Lake City, Utah | July 20–24, 2026
Event Details
About the Academy
The Academy of Best Practices is a gathering of engaging, diverse, and passionate math educators united by one goal: bringing mathematics to more people.
Teaching math is one of the most challenging and rewarding things a person can do. The Academy exists for educators who feel that deeply — who show up every day committed to their students and are ready to grow. Over the course of the week, you will be surrounded by teachers who share your passion and push your thinking in ways a typical professional development day cannot.
Apply Now
The Experience
The Academy runs daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the University of Utah. Evenings are yours to read, solve interesting math problems, and explore Salt Lake City.
Throughout the week, you will dig into the questions that matter most in a math classroom.
The Setting
The Academy takes place in Salt Lake City, Utah, nestled against the dramatic backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains. Known for its outdoor beauty, vibrant food scene, and easy accessibility from across the country, Salt Lake City is a fitting home for a week of growth, connection, and inspiration.
In your free time, Salt Lake City has plenty to explore — from world-class restaurants and local shopping to parks and mountain trails just minutes from the city center.
🏠 On-Campus Housing
Participants stay in on-campus apartments at the University of Utah with a private sleeping space and shared common areas. Housing details will be shared with accepted attendees.
Our History
Who Should Apply
The Academy of Best Practices offers two distinct programs held the same week at the same location — each designed for a different stage of a teacher's journey.
Built for educators who are just getting started and ready to grow
A 5-day institute designed to transform early-career math educators into future leaders. Whether you are new to CPM or teaching a different curriculum entirely, if you have five years or less in the classroom, this academy is for you.
For educators who are deeply experienced and ready to go even deeper
A 5-day institute designed to inspire and re-energize educators who have been teaching CPM for six or more years. A chance to step back from the day-to-day and reconsider your practice from a higher vantage point.
Important Dates
Ready to apply? Seats are limited and applications close April 30. This is your week to apply!
Apply NowGot Questions?
It depends on which program you are applying for. New Teachers — No CPM experience required. All math educators are welcome. Veteran Teachers — Yes, you must currently be teaching CPM curriculum to apply.
Yes — for all accepted participants. CPM covers travel, lodging, and meals for everyone, regardless of which cohort you are accepted into. Details on the reimbursement process will be shared upon acceptance.
Stipends are available for accepted New Teacher participants. Specific amounts will be communicated during the acceptance process.*New Teacher program only
Participants stay in on-campus apartments at the University of Utah with a private sleeping space and shared common areas. Details will be shared with accepted attendees.
Sessions run daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Evenings are free for participants to explore Salt Lake City, read, or solve interesting math problems. Attendance is required for all five full days.
Graduate credit opportunities may be available. Details will be provided to accepted participants.
Participants are selected based on their applications. CPM is committed to building a diverse and representative cohort that reflects the students and communities they serve.
Notifications are sent on May 15, 2026. All applicants will be contacted regardless of the outcome.
Hear From Participants
Before attending this program, I thought I may not last long-term as a teacher, but this experience inspired me so much, and I no longer have intentions of leaving the classroom.
ABP New Teacher
I also formed several relationships with teachers from across the U.S. who I still collaborate with even five years after attending ABP. The entire experience is one I will never forget.
ABP Veteran
As our district is in a financial crunch, ABP allowed me to receive significant PD without having to fund it myself on my stagnant salary. My professionalism, pedagogy, and passion for education were reinvigorated.
ABP Veteran
2.3.4
Defining Concavity
4.4.1
Characteristics of Polynomial Functions
5.2.6
Semi-Log Plots
5 Closure
Closure How Can I Apply It? Activity 3
9.3.1
Transition States
9.3.2
Future and Past States
10.3.1
The Parametrization of Functions, Conics, and Their Inverses
10.3.2
Vector-Valued Functions
11.1.5
Rate of Change of Polar Functions
This professional learning is designed for teachers as they begin their implementation of CPM. This series contains multiple components and is grounded in multiple active experiences delivered over the first year. This learning experience will encourage teachers to adjust their instructional practices, expand their content knowledge, and challenge their beliefs about teaching and learning. Teachers and leaders will gain first-hand experience with CPM with emphasis on what they will be teaching. Throughout this series educators will experience the mathematics, consider instructional practices, and learn about the classroom environment necessary for a successful implementation of CPM curriculum resources.
Page 2 of the Professional Learning Progression (PDF) describes all of the components of this learning event and the additional support available. Teachers new to a course, but have previously attended Foundations for Implementation, can choose to engage in the course Content Modules in the Professional Learning Portal rather than attending the entire series of learning events again.
The Building on Instructional Practice Series consists of three different events – Building on Discourse, Building on Assessment, Building on Equity – that are designed for teachers with a minimum of one year of experience teaching with CPM instructional materials and who have completed the Foundations for Implementation Series.
In Building on Equity, participants will learn how to include equitable practices in their classroom and support traditionally underserved students in becoming leaders of their own learning. Essential questions include: How do I shift dependent learners into independent learners? How does my own math identity and cultural background impact my classroom? The focus of day one is equitable classroom culture. Participants will reflect on how their math identity and mindsets impact student learning. They will begin working on a plan for Chapter 1 that creates an equitable classroom culture. The focus of day two and three is implementing equitable tasks. Participants will develop their use of the 5 Practices for Orchestrating Meaningful Mathematical Discussions and curate strategies for supporting all students in becoming leaders of their own learning. Participants will use an equity lens to reflect on and revise their Chapter 1 lesson plans.
In Building on Assessment, participants will apply assessment research and develop methods to provide feedback to students and inform equitable assessment decisions. On day one, participants will align assessment practices with learning progressions and the principle of mastery over time as well as write assessment items. During day two, participants will develop rubrics, explore alternate types of assessment, and plan for implementation that supports student ownership. On the third day, participants will develop strategies to monitor progress and provide evidence of proficiency with identified mathematics content and practices. Participants will develop assessment action plans that will encourage continued collaboration within their learning community.
In Building on Discourse, participants will improve their ability to facilitate meaningful mathematical discourse. This learning experience will encourage participants to adjust their instructional practices in the areas of sharing math authority, developing independent learners, and the creation of equitable classroom environments. Participants will plan for student learning by using teaching practices such as posing purposeful questioning, supporting productive struggle, and facilitating meaningful mathematical discourse. In doing so, participants learn to support students collaboratively engaged with rich tasks with all elements of the Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices incorporated through intentional and reflective planning.