One of the highlights of the AIM Summit 2025, held at Concordia University in Montreal this past May, was a dynamic panel discussion bringing together researchers and educators to reflect on meaningful research–practice partnerships in early mathematics. As we bring the year to a close, we’re excited to revisit this conversation in our latest podcast episode, highlighting how collaborative work in early math assessment and instruction is shaping classroom practice across Canada.

In celebration of Pi Day, this episode of Collective Voices explores how connecting research with real-world classroom experience can transform early math education. Special guests Dr. Sandy Youmans and Steph Gunning share their insights on supporting teachers, building confidence in math instruction, and developing professional development models that bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Dr. Sandy Youmans: Sandy is an adjunct assistant professor at the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University. She is a former elementary teacher, who is passionate about equipping educational professionals with the skills, knowledge, attitudes, and resources needed to support learner success. Dr. Youmans is a co-investigator of the AIM Collective and is co-editor of the book, Beyond 1, 2, 3: Early Mathematics Education in Canada. She firmly believes that mathematics education in Canada can be strengthened through collaboration.  

Steph Gunning: Steph began her teaching career as a high school mathematics teacher and is now a dedicated vice-principal with the Ottawa Catholic School Board bringing a wealth of experience from Kindergarten through grade 12. Steph is committed to improving early math instruction, empowering teacher voice in professional development, and sharing her passion for the vital role early math plays in a child’s life. Recognizing the impact of trauma, she believes in a relationship-based approach to learning and ensuring equitable access to quality early math experiences to build strong foundations for life success. As a lifelong learner, she is currently pursuing a second Master's degree in Cognitive Science at Carleton University and is a member of the AIM Collective.

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Sarah Powell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research interests include developing and testing interventions for students with mathematics difficulties, with a special emphasis on peer tutoring, word-problem solving, mathematics writing, and the symbols and vocabulary within mathematics.

Alison Hardy is a third-year PhD student at The University of Texas at Austin and was a former second-grade teacher. She is in the Learning Disabilities and Behavioral Disorders program, with an emphasis on students with mathematics difficulties. Her research interests include schema instruction and problem posing.

Listen to the AIM 2024 Summit panel featuring Carolyn Mussio, Ashley Kozak, and Gilbert Morris. Moderated by Jo-Anne LeFevre!

Interested in learning about AIM resources? Listen from our ToyBox Manitoba Team, Sheri-Lynn Skwarchuck, Madison Young, and Mikaila Collins
 
Dr. Sheri-Lynn Skwarchuck: Sheri is an Education Professor and the Developmental Studies Director at the University of Winnipeg. She has worked as a school psychologist and has taught courses in child development, assessment, and inclusion. She is a Co-Applicant on the AIM Project and the Director of the TOYBOX project.
 
Madison Young: Madison is a recent graduate of the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology)program at Yorkville University. Since 2021, she has been an active contributor to Toybox and is currently working as a Senior Research Assistant. 
 
Mikaila Collins: Mikaila is finishing her 4th-year practicum block and is headed into her 5th and final year of education at the University of Winnipeg! She is also a senior research assistant at ToyBox and has been part of the team since 2019.

Interested in learning about AIM resources? Check out Heather Douglas and Ashley Kozak share their thoughts on the Early Math Assessment @ School (EMA@School)

Dr. Heather Douglas: Heather Douglas is an adjunct research professor and post-doc in the Department of Cognitive Science at Carleton University.  After 10 years of teaching elementary school, she returned to university to find out more about how children learn math. In 2020, Heather received her PhD in Cognitive Science and has continued working to foster connections between research and the classroom.  She is a proud part of the AIM Collective, a community of educators and researchers working together to share evidence-informed, teacher-approved math education tools and resources. 

Ashley Kozak: Ashley Kozak is a K-12 Math Program Lead with the Upper Grand District School Board. As the Math Lead for the Board, she helped to develop the Multi-Year Math Plan, and provides instructional support and resources to administrators and teachers. As part of the math plan, Ashley developed a small-group instruction program for Math Support Teachers to implement with Grade 3 students, based on the EMA@School screener data.  Ashley has been an Elementary teacher with the Upper Grand District School Board for 17 years.

Listen to Dr. Lynda Colgan and Dr. Jo-Anne LeFevre share how early math research and education have progressed over the last 40 years

Dr. Lynda Colgan: Lynda Colgan is Professor Emerita, Faculty of Education, Queen’s University, and Executive Director (Education and Development, Science Rendezvous National). Lynda’s work reflects her career as a researcher rooted in years of experience as a classroom teacher, district-level coordinator, and pre-service and in-service instructor. Dr. Lynda Colgan has devoted her career in education to designing projects and outreach activities, changing the way people see the relevance of mathematics, and turning this once-intimidating subject into a field of wonder. Lynda is the 2023 winner of The Fields Institute Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award which recognizes innovation and excellence in Mathematics Education.

Dr. Jo-Anne LeFevre: Dr. Jo-Anne LeFevre is Chancellor’s Professor of Cognitive Science and Psychology at Carleton University. She is the primary investigator for the Aim Collective. She has conducted research on mathematical cognition for almost 40 years. Dr. LeFevre, in collaboration with Dr. Heather Douglas, created an early numeracy screener used as an assessment tool within the AIM Collective, known as early math assessment @ school or EMA@school. Not only has Dr. LeFevre been a leader within the field of numerical and mathematical cognition, but she has also been a leader in cognitive science in Canada.


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Listen to Mike McMann and Jordan Temple share their thoughts on early math education and AIM!

Mike McMann has over 27 years of experience in the Alberta education system and grew up in rural Alberta. He has a passion for research and moving the dial on every kid in their learning. Mike is a Dare to Lead facilitator and has valued spending time with Brené Brown. He believes the essential skills needed in literacy and numeracy are vital for student success. Research is the fuel that drives the bus in the Fort Vermilion School Division. For the past 8-years, Mike has ensured that selected research, with experts, develops changing pedagogy and practice to enhance student learning, impacting both literacy and numeracy.

Jordan Temple has been an educator for over two decades in Northern Ontario. For the past nine years, he has worked as a Board Level Math Lead and is currently an acting Vice Principal Kenora Catholic District School Board. He is passionate about the implementation of research-based practices to develop student thinking and increase student success. Jordan was invited to collaborate with the AIM collective last year to support the development of the Early Mathematical Assessment tool or the EMA tool.

This first episode is based on the AIM (Assessment and Instruction for Mathematics) Collective Summit 2023.

Hear reactions from attendees' experiences of the summit.

On today's panel:

Julie Houle

Julie Houle is a pedagogical consultant in elementary mathematics for the Lester B. Pearson School Board in Montreal, Canada. She worked as a classroom teacher at the elementary level for 13 years and moved into her role as consultant in 2018. Following a workshop she attended on early numeracy in 2018 led by Helena Osana, and through a funded partnership with Concordia University in Montreal, Julie designed and constructed the Numeracy Kit for Kindergarten 5-year-olds (NyKK-5).


Rebecca Merkley

Rebecca Merkley is a developmental cognitive scientist who connects developmental science and education policy and practice in collaboration with others who share that goal. She has a PhD in Experimental Psychology from the University of Oxford and an EdM in Mind, Brain, and Education from Harvard University. Her recent projects have included research practice partnerships investigating whether educators benefit from learning about findings from the science of learning and implementing them in their classrooms.

Tracie Anthony

Tracie Anthony is the Division Numeracy Coordinator for Grande Prairie Public School Division. In her years as a classroom teacher, she developed a strong commitment to the philosophy and the principles of math education. She firmly believes that we can enable all students to reach their individual goals, promoting student success through our passions and our collective vision.