Given the minimal impact in the classroom from the implementation of reform movements internationally, the question remains how researchers and teacher educators can address the learning needs of secondary mathematics teachers. The goal was to implement research that was focused on providing an empowering space for the advancement of teachers' beliefs and practices. This study showed that it was possible to impact the beliefs and practices of a group of teachers who had varying levels of loyalty to more traditional practices. This was accomplished by considering practitioner-derived knowledge to be trustworthy and relevant. By employing a critical and participatory research methodology informed by Kemmis and McTaggart, and by designing a study that was framed by Fay's three stages of empowerment, I was able to provide a space where teachers became aware of their beliefs and practices, negotiated barriers, became more grounded in their personal philosophical perspectives, took action to implement novel pedagogies, and knew finally "who they are" as professionals.

Assessment tools–a rubric, exit slips–inform instruction, clarify expectations, and support learning.

In this article, the author explores the link between citizens' quantitative literacy abilities and their financial prosperity. The author applies a robust social justice research vision and a Freirean approach to describe personal flourishing within the context of numerical, mathematical, and financial literacy (NMFL) education. Four families participated in a weekly evening community program that was designed to inform them about NMFLs. Analysis of the interview data showed that participants described a sense of personal flourishing, gained confidence and skills, and felt financially empowered enough to teach and transfer that knowledge to their children. The author proposes a conceptual framework linking personal flourishing with NMFLs, and suggests the framework be used to investigate and describe quantitative literacy and financial literacy in future empowering pedagogies research.

Selling muffins introduced students to quadratic functions. Communicating with tables, graphs, and formulas helped solidify their understanding.

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