Bridging the Gap: Innovative Strategies for Adult Math Literacy

Friday, September 25, 2026
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (online via Zoom)

This workshop is designed to equip Adult Basic Education (ABE) educators with practical, learner-centered methods to transform math instruction. Moving beyond traditional rote memorization, the session focuses on fostering a "math-positive" classroom environment where students are encouraged to explore mathematical concepts through inquiry and active participation.

Participants will gain hands-on experience with strategies such as Number Talks and inquiry-based problem-solving, while learning to differentiate instruction to meet the diverse needs of adult learners. By addressing the psychological barriers and math anxiety often present in ABE settings, the workshop provides tools to connect abstract mathematical concepts to real-world applications, such as personal finance, workplace readiness, and health literacy. Educators will leave empowered to help their students build the mathematical confidence and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of daily life.

Workshop Learning Objectives:

• Identify and Mitigate Math Anxiety: Recognize the psychological barriers adult learners face with mathematics and implement strategies to create a low-stress, "math-positive" learning environment.

• Facilitate Active Learning: Demonstrate the ability to lead "Number Talks" and inquiry-based problem-solving activities that encourage students to think critically rather than relying on rote memorization.

• Differentiate Instruction: Apply scaffolding techniques and "parallel tasks" to effectively teach classrooms with diverse skill levels and educational backgrounds.

• Contextualize Mathematics: Adapt abstract mathematical concepts into real-world scenarios relevant to adult learners, such as financial literacy, workplace measurements, and healthcare data.

Presenter:

Emmanuel “Manny” Knaggs is an X-Cel Education college prep graduate and a current X-Cel employee. Manny came to X-Cel from Suffolk County House of Corrections in April 2011. He finished his time at the Brooke House pre-release program, where he started college prep and began to prepare for his Accuplacer test to enter college.  Manny graduated from the X-Cel college prep class later that year, and has been teaching math at X-Cel since September 2011. Manny went on to graduate at Bunker Hill with his Associates Degree in Mathematics. In addition to teaching ABE math at X-Cel, he has also taught math boot camps at Bunker Hill Community College with much success. He then returned back to school to pursue his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics. He has been teaching math at X-Cel for 15 years helping students successfully pass their HiSET/GED exams and prepare for the college placement which is the called the Accuplacer. 

Micocredential Categories:

• Fundamental Skills (F)

This workshop is free to staff of all Massachusetts non-profit ABE and ESOL Programs.

First Literacy does not receive any state or federal funding and we work very hard to raise 100% of our budget from private sources. Please consider making a donation to First Literacy so we can continue to offer FREE high quality professional development workshops.