What if your students begged to keep doing math?

In this Level 2 session of the Mastery Math Method, Cheri Dotterer and Jonily Zupancic show you how to break free from the textbook and make math feel like a game again.

You’ll see how:

• A simple Locker Problem can teach double-digit multiplication
• Reference tasks connect creativity to fourth-grade standards
• Interleaving and spaced practice help every student retain what they learn
• And why giving yourself permission to ditch the worksheet changes everything

🎓 Join the next Mastery Math Method Masterclass → disabilitylabs.com/calendar

✨ Takeaway: Learning isn’t about control — it’s about connection, curiosity, and courage to make a mess before mastery.

💬 Drop your thoughts and experiences in the comments—start the conversation and build the movement because every student deserves to feel like a mathematician.

🔔 Subscribe for more Tier 1 math interventions, strategies, and training.
📅 Join the next Masterclass → https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

💬 COMMENT BELOW: What’s YOUR take on starting with division?

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Welcome – Level 2 Mastery Math Method

00:40 From Locker Problem to Double-Digit Multiplication

01:35 Why Reference Tasks Change Everything

03:10 Skip-Counting → Multiplying → Connecting Standards

04:20 Interleaving and Spaced Practice in Real Classrooms

06:05 Teacher Reactions – Level Up Mindset

07:10 Students Love Thinking Math

08:15 From Overwhelmed to Empowered

09:00 How to Join the Mastery Math Masterclass

11:00 Closing – For Such a Time as This

🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?

👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs:
https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon/Audible

🔗 Stay Connected

🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1

🎙️ Credits:
Host: Cheri Dotterer
Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic
Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network

🧠 Resources Mentioned:

Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
Mastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching

⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.

🏷️ Hashtags

#MathIsMessy #Tier1Interventions #MasteryMathMethod #BrainBasedLearning #REWIREMethod #OTinSchools #TeacherMindset

Math is messy — and that’s precisely how mastery begins.

In this Tier 1 Interventions episode, Cheri Dotterer and Jonily Zupancic challenge the myth that math (and writing) should be neat, orderly, and always “on the line.” From the Locker Problem to real-world classroom stories, they model how productive chaos and productive struggle help students think critically, notice patterns, and build an accurate understanding of numbers.

🧠 Inside this episode:
• Why “messy math” is essential for deep learning
• How to turn student drafts into tools for reflection
• The OT perspective on movement and memory
• The three types of bilateral integration and how they re-engage the brain
• What “You can’t rush math art” really means for teachers

✨ Takeaway: Learning isn’t about control — it’s about connection, curiosity, and courage to make a mess before mastery.

💬 Drop your thoughts and experiences in the comments—start the conversation and build the movement because every student deserves to feel like a mathematician.

🔔 Subscribe for more Tier 1 math interventions, strategies, and training.
📅 Join the next Masterclass → https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

💬 COMMENT BELOW: What’s YOUR take on starting with division?

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to Tier 1 Interventions

00:40 – What Makes Mastery Math Different

01:15 – Why Math Must Be Messy

02:30 – The Type-A Teacher Trap

03:45 – Draft-1 Thinking: Messy Before Mastery

05:20 – Framing the Chaos: Learning From Mistakes

07:00 – What Do You Notice? Pattern Spotting in Action

09:30 – The OT’s Secret: Move to Remember

11:50 – Three Types of Bilateral Integration Explained

13:40 – When Planning Gets in the Way of Learning

15:10 – The Locker 11 Revelation

17:15 – “If I Say It, They Hear It — If They Say It, They Learn It”

19:20 – Turning Observation Into Ownership

21:00 – The 12 Song: Rhythm Meets Math Fluency

23:40 – “You Can’t Rush Math Art” — Lessons From Toy Story

25:30 – When Students Finally See the Pattern

26:30 – Wrap-Up: Messy Learning Creates Mastery

🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?

👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs:
https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon/Audible

🔗 Stay Connected

🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1

🎙️ Credits:
Host: Cheri Dotterer
Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic
Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network

🧠 Resources Mentioned:

Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
Mastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching

⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.

🏷️ Hashtags

#MathIsMessy #Tier1Interventions #MasteryMathMethod #BrainBasedLearning #REWIREMethod #OTinSchools #TeacherMindset

In this live Tier 1 Interventions session, Cheri Dotterer and Jonily Zupancic take you inside a Level 2 Mastery Math Method class as they explore the classic Locker Problem — one of the “Dirty Dozen” reference tasks students revisit year after year.

Jonily demonstrates how these timeless math tasks deepen logic, number sense, and symbolic understanding, while Cheri highlights how process time and conceptual exposure create space for authentic learning.

Discover why exposure before mastery can transform math instruction, how to nurture student vulnerability, and what happens when teachers stop rushing to confirm or deny answers.

🎧 Perfect for math educators, OTs, and interventionists ready to “uplevel” their practice and create classrooms where curiosity thrives.

💬 Drop your thoughts and experiences in the comments—start the conversation and build the movement because every student deserves to feel like a mathematician.

🔔 Subscribe for more Tier 1 math interventions, strategies, and training.
📅 Join the next Masterclass → https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

💬 COMMENT BELOW: What’s YOUR take on starting with division?

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Welcome with Cheri & Jonily

01:00 – Level 2: Connecting the Dirty Dozen math tasks

03:00 – The Locker Problem explained

04:30 – Exposure vs. Mastery in learning

06:00 – Four categories of mathematical thinking (Number • Symbol • Shape • Logic)

07:30 – Moving from acting out to symbolic notation

11:00 – “What do you see? What do you notice?” discussion prompts

14:00 – Teaching through the crickets: embracing silence and vulnerability

16:00 – Building soft skills through math experiences

17:30 – Why students need more process time

18:30 – The sitcom trap of math instruction

19:30 – Letting the brain linger: the power of unconfirmed questions

20:30 – Reclaiming curiosity and authentic learning

21:00 – Next episode teaser: Pixar and the Power of Story in Math

🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?

👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs:
https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon/Audible

🔗 Stay Connected

🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1

🎙️ Credits:
Host: Cheri Dotterer
Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic
Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network

🧠 Resources Mentioned:

Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
Mastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching

⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.

🏷️ Hashtags

#Tier1Interventions #MathIntervention #MasteryMathMethod #TeachingStrategies #SpecialEducation #MTSS #NeurodiverseLearning #Jonily #Cheri

#MathEducation #TeacherLife #MasteryMath #Dysgraphia #Tier1Interventions #MathCoaching

In this powerful Level 2 episode of the Mastery Math Method series, math specialist Jonily Zupancic takes us deeper into the strategy of reordering math instruction for maximum impact. She challenges conventional wisdom by declaring that division is not just a late skill, but essential, even for little ones and strugglers.

You’ll learn how division-based instruction—centered on sharing, questioning, and visual grouping—can accelerate mastery of all operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication), reduce instructional time, and increase student memory through her CES framework: Culture, Essentials, and Seasons.

🎯 Whether you're an OT, a special ed teacher, or a curriculum leader—this paradigm shift will change how you see math forever.

🔔 Subscribe for more Tier 1 math interventions, strategies, and training.
📅 Join the next Masterclass → https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

💬 COMMENT BELOW: What’s YOUR take on starting with division?

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Welcome from Cheri & Introduction to Level 2

00:20 – Jonily's Disclaimer: This is a Level 2 Episode

01:30 – Who Should Care About Tier 1 Instruction

02:50 – The Mindset Shift: Teach for Behavior Change

03:15 – CES Framework: Culture, Essentials, Seasons

03:45 – Can We Start with Division? (Answer: Yes)

04:50 – Why Division Is More Essential Than Addition

05:50 – Mastery Math Method Masterclass Invitation

06:20 – Using Division to Teach All Operations

06:50 – You Don’t Pick the Essentials—Here’s Why

07:30 – Toddlers Understand Division (Sharing & Questions)

08:10 – How Traditional Schooling Kills Questioning

08:40 – Seasons Framework: Spaced Repetition for Retention

09:20 – Season 1: First 15 Days = Full Curriculum Exposure

09:50 – Seasons 2 and 3: Uplevel & January “Math in a Month”

10:40 – Why Most Students Can Master by January

11:15 – Littles? Adapt the Instruction, Don’t Replicate

11:45 – Sneak Peek: The Locker Problem is Coming Next

🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?

👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs:
https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon/Audible

🔗 Stay Connected

🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1

🎙️ Credits:
Host: Cheri Dotterer
Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic
Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network

🧠 Resources Mentioned:

Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
Mastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching

⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.

🏷️ Hashtags

#Tier1Interventions #MathIntervention #MasteryMathMethod #TeachingStrategies #SpecialEducation #MTSS #NeurodiverseLearning #Jonily #Cheri

Why do we start math with addition when kids naturally understand sharing first?

In this Level 2 Mastery Math Method training, Jonily Zupancic and Cheri Dotterer challenge the traditional math sequence by flipping the script: Start with Division.

This episode dives into:

• Why equal sharing is neurologically intuitive for students—even toddlers
• How starting with division unlocks deeper understanding in addition, subtraction, and multiplication
• Why special education teachers and general ed teachers alike need to rethink Tier 1 math instruction
• What it means to “uplevel” your math teaching, even if you feel behind

  
  

This session was recorded LIVE with our Mastery Math Method teachers—so you’ll hear real-time reactions, questions, and inspiration from fellow educators walking the same journey.

🎯 Whether you're an OT, a special ed teacher, or a curriculum leader—this paradigm shift will change how you see math forever.

🔔 Subscribe for more Tier 1 math interventions, strategies, and training.
📅 Join the next Masterclass → https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

💬 COMMENT BELOW: What’s YOUR take on starting with division?

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to Level 2 Mastery Math Method

01:00 – Why This Episode is “Level 2” (and why that matters)

02:15 – Who Should Listen: Teachers, OTs, Admins, Parents

03:30 – Start with Division, Not Addition?!

05:00 – How Toddlers Understand Division Naturally

06:30 – The Math Paradigm Shift You Didn’t Expect

08:00 – Beth’s Aha Moment + The Power of Interleaving

09:30 – Why We Need to Break Out of Our Bubbles

11:00 – Emotional Blocks in Math & Using Brain Gym

12:00 – What Level 2 Is (and What It’s Not)

13:30 – Why Learning Out of Order is OK

14:30 – Thank You, Amy Garrison (The Primary Partner in Math Innovation)

15:15 – Closing Reflection: Division as a Foundation

🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?

👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs:
https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon/Audible

🔗 Stay Connected

🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1

🎙️ Credits:
Host: Cheri Dotterer
Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic
Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network

🧠 Resources Mentioned:

Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
Mastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching

⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.

🏷️ Hashtags

#Tier1Interventions #MathIntervention #MasteryMathMethod #TeachingStrategies #SpecialEducation #MTSS #NeurodiverseLearning #Jonily #Cheri

Welcome to the kickoff of our August Saturday Math! 🎉 In this episode, Jonily Zupancic and Cheri Dotterer set the stage for the 2025–2026 school year with a focus on depth in lesson planning.

You’ll learn:

• Why shallow, “grab-and-go” teaching resources aren’t enough.
• The grade levels Jonily will be partnering with this year (2, 3, 4, 8, Algebra I & II).
• How our certified coaches are modeling success in Grade 1 and Grade 6.
• Why teacher quality and intentional planning matter more than any textbook.

🎯 Whether you’re a classroom teacher, intervention specialist, or administrator, this conversation will challenge how you think about planning and inspire you to bring depth into your math lessons.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Welcome + Introduction to Saturday Math
01:00 – Kickoff for the 2025–2026 school year
03:30 – Grade levels Jonily is partnering with this year
05:00 – Spotlight on certified coaches in Grades 1 and 6
06:30 – Introducing the year’s theme: Depth over shallow teaching
08:00 – Why textbooks and grab-and-go lessons fall short
09:30 – Behind-the-scenes: how lesson planning really happens
11:00 – Preview of the four categories for building depth
19:00 – Multiplication example: exposing symbols early
20:00 – Outro + CTA to join the Masterclass

🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?

👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs:
https://disabilitylabs.com/live-webinar/freemasterclass/register

🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon/Audible

🔗 Stay Connected

🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1

🎙️ Credits:
Host: Cheri Dotterer
Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic
Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network

🧠 Resources Mentioned:

Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
Mastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching

⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.

🏷️ Hashtags

#Tier1Interventions #MathIntervention #MasteryMathMethod #TeachingStrategies #SpecialEducation #MTSS #NeurodiverseLearning #Jonily #Cheri

What happens when a student knows the answer in their head but can’t get it right on paper? In this Tier 1 Interventions Masterclass clip, join Cheri Dotterer (OT, author of Handwriting Brain Body DisConnect) and Jonily Zupancic (Math Specialist, author of Making Mathineers) as they uncover the disconnect between conceptual understanding and procedural math skills—and how the Mastery Math Method bridges the gap.

In this session, you’ll learn:
✅ Why number sense isn’t “extra help” but essential Tier 1 instruction
✅ How to connect conceptual math thinking with procedural fluency
✅ The real story of Brian, a 7th grader who knew the math but couldn’t match classroom expectations
✅ Why pre-planning and sensory–motor–cognitive alignment matter for math success
✅ How teachers can strengthen their core instruction to transform Tier 2 and Tier 3 outcomes

These are neuroscience-based strategies with proven results. Entire classes moving from struggle to success and 92% of students showing measurable growth.

👉 Register for the next Masterclass: https://disabilitylabs.com/calendar

✨ Subscribe for more episodes of Tier 1 Interventions Podcast and Mastery Math Method strategies!

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to the Mastery Math Method (Level 2)
01:00 – Why Tier 1 Core Instruction is the Key to All Learning
01:45 – Meet Brian: A Student Who Knew the Math but Couldn’t Show It
03:00 – The Disconnect Between Conceptual & Procedural Math
04:00 – Why Number Sense Instruction Matters in Secondary Grades
05:00 – Teacher Takeaways: Pre-Planning & Sensory-Motor-Cognitive Links
06:30 – Closing & Call to Action: Bring the Mastery Math Method to Your School

🎯 Ready to Change Math Outcomes in 10 Days?

👉 Join our FREE Masterclass for school leaders, teachers, and OTs:
https://disabilitylabs.com/live-webinar/freemasterclass/register

🎁 Download your free Intervention Toolkit (login required):
https://disabilitylabs.com/43857/files/6887de9b124d7_1753734811_division-cycles-h-and-l-notes-extended.pdf

🎧 Prefer to Listen On the Go?

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon/Audible

🔗 Stay Connected

🌐 Website: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
📧 Disability Labs Community: https://disabilitylabs.com/community/3d-learning-lounge-1

🎙️ Credits:
Host: Cheri Dotterer
Co-Host: Jonily Zupancic
Production: Disability Labs Podcast Network

🧠 Resources Mentioned:

Mastery Math Method Level One (Lifetime Access): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-bundle
Mastery Math Method Level Two (Annual Subscription): https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/mastery-math-method-group-coaching

⚠️ Disclaimer: The content shared in this video is for educational purposes only and does not replace your district’s policies or individualized education plans. Always consult with your instructional team before implementing new strategies.

🏷️ Hashtags

#Tier1Interventions #MathIntervention #MasteryMathMethod #TeachingStrategies #SpecialEducation #MTSS #NeurodiverseLearning #Jonily #Cheri