Professional Learning on Productive Struggle: Effective Math instruction for Elementary Teachers and Students
Location
Boston 1
Session Format
Presentation
Abstract
Productive struggle is an instructional approach to mathematics that focuses on the strength in the struggle. When students spend time struggling through a mathematics task they build determination, problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, creativity, and independence. Professional learning is how education evolves and becomes more effective. With the world changing and growing at lighting speed, professional learning keeps educators sharp and up to date with the most effective teaching strategies and trends. This presentation will detail the researcher’s current dissertation project on increasing knowledge of and likelihood of implementation of productive struggle in elementary math instruction following a professional learning implementation.
Keywords
professional learning, productive struggle, elementary education, math education
Professional Bio
Emilee Coody is currently Assistant Principal of Instruction at Bonaire Elementary School in Bonaire, GA. Prior to becoming the Assistant Principal of Instruction, she taught for six years at Bonaire Elementary. She graduated from Georgia College and State University with a Bachelors and Masters degree in Early Childhood Education. She is currently working on her Doctorate of Curriculum and Instruction at Columbus State University.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Coody, Emilee and Neal, Lauren B., "Professional Learning on Productive Struggle: Effective Math instruction for Elementary Teachers and Students" (2026). Georgia Educational Research Association Conference. 38.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gera/2026/2026/38
Professional Learning on Productive Struggle: Effective Math instruction for Elementary Teachers and Students
Boston 1
Productive struggle is an instructional approach to mathematics that focuses on the strength in the struggle. When students spend time struggling through a mathematics task they build determination, problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, creativity, and independence. Professional learning is how education evolves and becomes more effective. With the world changing and growing at lighting speed, professional learning keeps educators sharp and up to date with the most effective teaching strategies and trends. This presentation will detail the researcher’s current dissertation project on increasing knowledge of and likelihood of implementation of productive struggle in elementary math instruction following a professional learning implementation.
