About Us
Welcome to Math Success by DMTI, a program born from the Developing Mathematical Thinking Institute. We’re not your average math education initiative—we’re here to rethink how elementary students learn math, how teachers teach it, and how classrooms come alive with curiosity. With over 40 years of research behind us, we’ve built a proven approach that’s transforming math from a struggle into a strength.
What Makes Us Different
Traditional math education often leans on memorization—times tables, formulas, and step-by-step drills. It works for some, but it leaves too many kids bored, confused, or convinced they “just don’t get it.” At DMTI, we flip that script. Our Developing Mathematical Thinking (DMT) framework isn’t about rushing to answers; it’s about building understanding that lasts. Here’s what sets us apart:
We Start with Kids Ideas: We take students’ ideas seriously, building on what they already know.
We Speak Structure: Using structural language, words unit, compose, decompose, iterate, partition, and equal are helpful for students to communicate about math from kinder through high school
We Prioritize Why Over How: Conceptual understanding comes first, so procedures make sense, not just work. This is the biggest difference most new users see.
We Get Hands-On, Effective Models and Strategies: From blocks to drawings to symbols, our models and strategies turn abstract ideas into tangible discoveries.
Unleashing Misconceptions & Mistakes: Misconceptions aren’t roadblocks—they’re stepping stones to deeper learning.
This isn’t the math of endless worksheets. It’s active, engaging, and designed to spark “aha!” moments. Teachers using Math Success by DMTI see an average 35% boost in student achievement—and even better, they see kids who love math and can’t wait for the next lesson.
Our Mission
We believe every child can succeed in math—and enjoy it—when it’s taught the right way. Our goal? To empower teachers with tools, training, and a fresh perspective, so they can foster not just learning but a genuine passion for mathematics. We’re here to make math a gateway to problem-solving, confidence, and opportunity, one classroom at a time.
How We Do It
Math Success by DMTI offers free courses rooted in our DMT framework, giving educators practical, research-based strategies to transform their teaching. Backed by decades of evidence and real-world results, we’re not just talking about change—we’re making it happen.
What Teachers Say
“Before, math was my least favorite subject to teach. Now, it is most definitely my favorite!”
"I had kids that were absolutely loving math and wanting to do more or wanting to create their own problems for their friends to solve."
“I have taught math in several states now, and I found this to be one of the most innovative in terms of stretching our mathematical thinking in specific, strategic ways to get the most gains from students.”
“I have never loved teaching math as much as I have this year. Learning all of these teaching strategies from (DMTI) has made math come alive in my classroom. My students are further along now than any class I’ve ever taught before.”
“If I had been taught math this way I think I would have loved it and actually been a math teacher. I never thought I would say this, but I actually look forward to math.”
Join Us
We’re a community of educators, learners, and dreamers who want math to add up to more than test scores. Whether you’re a teacher ready to rethink your classroom or a supporter cheering us on, we’d love to have you along. Explore our free resources, subscribe to our Substack, and let’s build a future where math means success—for everyone.
To learn more about us, visit our website at https://mathsuccess.io
