Readers Read. Writers Write. Mathers Math!

Deborah Peart Crayton is the founder and Queen Mather of My Mathematical Mind. She started the #MatherMovement to disrupt the idea that math is optional. Deborah is a sought-after keynote speaker and dynamic elementary education consultant. With over 30 years in the field of education, Deborah speaks on a variety of topics related to math identity, elementary math content and instructional practices, and literacy connections to mathematics. She has shared her message at the local, regional, and national levels at state, district, and community events, and educational conferences.Deborah is an expert at creating invitational and nurturing environments to cultivate positive mathematical identities, and has served in that capacity as a mentor and coach for elementary educators for over 20 years. She has had success with adapting instruction while maintaining grade-level expectations and possesses a deep knowledge of instructional practices and frameworks to engage all learners, including Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI), Math Recovery, the Orton-Gillingham Approach, and Mathematical Language Routines (MLR). Deborah holds a bachelor's degree in speech communications and early childhood education, a master's degree in educational studies with a concentration in literacy, graduate endorsements in elementary mathematics and teacher development, and is pursuing a doctorate degree in education program development and innovation. Her research interests are focused on the connections between math anxiety and math teaching efficacy and effective practices for developing high-quality professional learning. Deborah has dedicated her career and doctoral studies to supporting educators with innovative teaching strategies that allow students to see themselves as assets to the learning community and curious problem-solvers. Deborah believes that all children deserve high-quality instruction and the opportunity to become competent readers, writers, and mathers.

Foreword Preface: Mathers 4 Life Featured Mathers Introduction: Is Math Optional? Part 1: Readers Read. Writers Write. Mathers Math! Chapter 1: We are all Readers, Writers, and Mathers! Chapter 2: Redefining the Core Academic Skills Chapter 3: Let's Share Stories NOT Problems! Part 2: Mathers Gonna Math!: Taking Math Outside of the Math Block Chapter 4: Mathematizing Across Content Areas Chapter 5: Don't Skip the Fun Stuff! Part 3: Building a Community of Readers, Writers, and Mathers Chapter 6: Becoming the Mather Your Students Need You to Be Chapter 7: Creating the Conditions for Positive Math (Learning) Experiences Chapter 8: Summing it up! References

For far too long math has been thought of, and taught as, a noun-the facts to be memorized and the procedures to follow. But math is also a verb-it is reasoning, experiencing, wondering. Whereas it is difficult to inspire curiosity and creativity in math as a noun, it is easy in math as a verb. In this book, Deborah Peart Crayton shows us how to make math a verb, how to engage in the 'ings' of math, and how to turn math into something we do. In other words, she shows us all how to become mathers. -- Peter Liljedahl * Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada * This book is everything! Deborah Peart Crayton names the harm of traditional math practices and offers thoughtful, practical alternatives-with warmth, humor, and heart. We are all mathers-and this book will help you believe it too! -- Pamela Seda * Atlanta, GA * With straight talk and just enough personality, Peart Crayton suggests ways teachers can bring their expertise in teaching everything else to teaching math. Let's heed her call to help all students know they are mathers who can math! -- Pam Harris * Kyle, TX * This book reminds us that math belongs to everyone. It offers practical ways to shift math instruction so all students feel seen, capable, and confident. Whether you've always loved math or are still figuring it out, this is a thoughtful guide to building math communities where students thrive and math becomes just as natural as reading and writing. -- Graham Fletcher * Atlanta, GA * Deborah Peart Crayton has crafted a book that is as transformative as it is practical. Readers Read. Writers Write. MATHERS MATH! is an essential read for elementary educators, instructional coaches, and school leaders committed to collectively shifting the current narrative that math is optional, beginning with our youngest learners. By integrating literacy-based approaches and real-world applications, Crayton provides a path forward for making math a joyful, natural, and necessary part of learning. This book is not just about improving math instruction-it's about reshaping mathematical identities for generations to come. -- Dionne Aminata * Emeryville, CA * Many educators feel unsure about math, while others love it and want to share that joy. The Mather Movement speaks to both. Whether you're working to overcome your own math story or hoping to inspire others, Deborah Peart Crayton offers powerful tools for reshaping your relationship with math. With empathy and wisdom, she provides a path forward: one that builds confidence, breaks old cycles, and helps you grow as both a learner and a teacher. -- Robert Kaplinsky * Long Beach, CA * This book flips the script on math-it's not just numbers, it's who we are. Deborah Peart shows us that we're all mathers, and that math is literally everywhere. It's smart, empowering, and full-on magical! -- Vanessa "The Math Guru" Vakharia * Toronto, Ontario, Canada * As a professional learning provider, this book is written in ways that I think could enhance the teaching practices for elementary and middle school math teachers. As a mother to young mathers, I have learned accessible ways to continue to include math in our every day outside of formal games and counting. I can't wait to try body-gons at home with my mathers. -- Ayanna Perry * Bowie, MD * A must-have for all educators who want their students to see themselves as mathers! Deborah Peart Crayton provides us with a lovely tool that leverages her voice and experience to help us become better Mathers ourselves while helping our students come to see themselves as Mathers. -- Zak Champagne * Olympia, WA * This book invites educators to teach mathematics with care, creativity, and purpose. Through inspiring interviews with women in math and empowering 'mathfirmations,' Peart Crayton reminds us that joy, brilliance, and belonging are at the heart of learning. This book nurtures teacher agency and equity-driven practice, and after reading, you'll proudly proclaim, 'I'm a mather!' -- Desiree Y. Harrison * Farmington, MI * Deborah challenges us to connect our strengths in literacy instruction and consider how to apply that to math instruction. Grounded in real classroom practice, she demonstrates how storytelling, discussion, and language-rich routines can foster positive math identities and help every child see themself as a mather. It is a call to action to change our culture's negative attitude to mathematics. A powerful resource for everyone who strives to make math meaningful and empowering. -- Marria Carrington * South Hadley, MA * This book is a much-needed invitation to reimagine what it means to teach and learn math. Deborah writes from the heart and shares her insights and practical strategies to build math communities where all learners can thrive. If you are committed to nurturing joyful, inclusive, and empowering math experiences for all students, this book has everything you need. -- Mike Flynn * Northampton, MA *