Education Begins with Teachers: The DataMathLab Festival Returns with Ideas, Inspiration and Innovative Practices in Mathematics Teaching

Quality education starts with teachers who are committed to continuous learning. In a system where transforming schools is a necessity, the professional development of educators becomes a top priority. Teachers who constantly develop their skills, critically reflect on their practice, and seek inspiration through dialogue with other professionals are the ones who can truly shape students’ educational journeys.

In this context, the DataMathLab Festival is more than an event dedicated to mathematics teaching—it is a platform for learning, idea exchange, and building an authentic professional community. For the second year in a row, Avenor is supporting the organisation of this festival, which will bring together over 200 mathematics teachers from across Romania on 28–29 June in Brașov, along with internationally renowned guests such as Dr James Tanton and Dr Alf Coles.

We are excited that two Avenor teachers will deliver a workshop during the festival, continuing the collaboration with Aspire Teachers and actively contributing to the development of the DataMathLab community of practice.

What does this festival mean for participating teachers? What can they discover and how does it impact their professional path? Find out from Mihaela Ancuța, Mathematics Curriculum Leader at Avenor, in the interview below.

The DataMathLab Festival is an event that brings together teachers passionate about mathematics teaching. What drew you to participate and what are your expectations for this edition?

I took part in last year’s edition as a participant, eager to get to know the team I was going to collaborate with in the following school year, as a trainer. I wanted to understand what lies behind the programme, what its vision and objectives are, and what the community surrounding it really looks like.

I was impressed by the impeccable organisation, the attention to detail, and the positive energy of the people running the programme. The festival agenda was intense and diverse: workshops in classrooms and in the schoolyard, alongside student volunteers, and discussions on various topics. I was truly moved by the testimonies of last year’s participants. They spoke sincerely, with joy and gratitude, about their experience.

AN EVENT THAT BRINGS TOGETHER TEACHERS AND IDEAS

My participation this year is a natural continuation of a school year spent alongside the participants of the DataMathLab course in Bucharest. I don’t want to miss such an important moment—one that not only marks the end of a chapter but also opens a new one for future participants and possibly new trainers.

I’m especially excited about this year’s guests and happy that, together with my colleague Dr Daniela Vasile, we’ll be leading a workshop for teachers. I look forward to reconnecting with colleagues from all over the country, and I hope that many students—future teachers—will join us, so we can get to know each other and work together during these two days.

The presence of international guests like James Tanton and Alf Coles adds value to the event. What are you hoping to learn from them?

This question reminds me of a special moment from my first year of university. It was the first day of lectures, and a man entered the amphitheatre and wrote on the board: C. Niță. I froze—he was the author of several workbooks from which I had solved hundreds of problems in high school. The joy and emotion of seeing him in real life, knowing I would learn directly from him, was unforgettable. And he wasn’t the only professor I met this way.

MEETING INSPIRING ROLE MODELS IN EDUCATION

Now I feel like I’m living a similar moment. I’m about to meet James Tanton and Alf Coles, two prominent names in contemporary mathematics and mathematics education. This time, though, I’m not just admiring their names—I’ll be paying close attention to how they teach, how they communicate, how they structure a message and capture the audience’s attention. These are teachers who not only know mathematics but know how to convey it with passion, clarity, and joy.

A MESSAGE FOR FIRST-TIME PARTICIPANTS

What message would you send to teachers who have never attended an event like this but might be curious about the DataMathLab Festival?

I’d tell those teachers to grab a colleague they enjoy working with, block off the two days in their calendar, and come with an open heart. The DataMathLab Festival is a wonderful opportunity to connect with passionate teachers from across the country, exchange ideas, learn from others’ experiences, and return home inspired.

I’m confident that every participant will leave with at least a few concrete ideas to apply in the classroom and topics for reflection or discussion with colleagues in the staffroom. Plus, the festival takes place in Brașov, a charming, historic city—Saturday afternoon is perfect for a stroll through the old town and for continuing the conversations sparked during the workshops.

You know part of the Aspire Teachers community from the DataMathLab course, where you were a trainer. What have you learned, as a teacher, from this experience?

THE POWER OF LEARNING COMMUNITIES

This year I had the joy of being a trainer in the DataMathLab programme organised by Aspire Teachers. It was an intense and valuable experience, held simultaneously in three centres across the country—I co-led the Bucharest centre with my colleague Dr Daniela Vasile. We worked with 50 mathematics teachers from public schools, through monthly in-person sessions, online workshops, and asynchronous activities.

For me, as a teacher, it was a profound learning opportunity and a chance to reflect on my own practice. I was able to view teaching from new perspectives, to strengthen my beliefs, and to ask myself essential questions about what makes a lesson relevant and effective. I discovered valuable ideas, learned from the experiences of my peers in the public system, and felt part of a community of dedicated professionals seeking to bring about change in education.

On a personal level, I discovered the value of teamwork. Collaborating with Daniela taught me the power of co-creation and the harmony of a well-bonded team, where communication and mutual support make all the difference.

What is it like to work with teachers instead of students? How has this experience changed your classroom practice?

COMMON PRINCIPLES IN WORKING WITH STUDENTS AND TEACHERS

I haven’t felt much of a difference between working with students and working with teachers. When I’m in front of a group—regardless of age—I follow the same simple, clear principles: I aim to value every person, every answer, to encourage everyone’s participation, and to make those in front of me feel seen, appreciated, important, and valued. I always want discussions and activities to be conducted with seriousness and responsibility, but also in a warm, open environment where people feel safe to contribute.

I like things to be well-organised, structured, and clear—not as a form of rigidity, but as a foundation for freedom, effective communication, and time well spent for everyone involved. This experience of working with adults confirmed for me just how universal some educational principles and needs are. Naturally, I brought all these lessons back with me to the classroom, in my work with students.

What are the biggest needs of mathematics teachers in Romania, based on your interactions with them?

TEACHERS NEED TO LISTEN TO AND SHARE REAL STORIES

I believe one of the greatest needs of mathematics teachers in Romania is genuine connection with other teachers through real, honestly shared stories. In our interactions, I’ve noticed how much they enjoy hearing concrete examples from classroom life, real situations we’ve experienced, and the challenges we’ve overcome. During the training sessions, the most vibrant and valuable moments were those when we took a detour and told stories “from the field”.

I could sense how they relaxed, gained energy and confidence when they discovered that others go through similar things and find creative solutions. Teachers want to know what their peers are doing and how—whether in different schools or different contexts. Topics like building relationships with students, planning in teams, using resources, or giving feedback—all become engaging if accompanied by real experiences. AI can answer any theoretical question about education. But lived stories, passionately told by teachers for teachers, are irreplaceable. For me, this need for authentic, human dialogue among educators is one of the most profound and valuable.

Why is it important for teachers to continually seek learning and training opportunities? What do we risk if we don’t?

FINDING OUR “PROFESSIONAL VITAMINS”

When I think about the importance of continuous training, I first think about myself. Every conference I attend, every course I take gives me much more than just information—it connects me with people, with teachers like me, and recharges me with energy and a positive emotion that’s felt clearly when I return to the classroom. It fills me with a drive to work, with inspiration, and with ideas I can’t wait to try out.

Sometimes I get confirmation that I’m on the right track; other times I discover a new tool, a great book, an interview, a study, or an interesting method for working with students.

All of these are like “professional vitamins”—they help me stay grounded in educational reality, grow, have meaningful discussions with my colleagues, and maybe even become a source of inspiration for others. If we don’t seek out these contexts, we risk stagnating, losing our enthusiasm, curiosity, and sense of professional community. And perhaps most sadly, we risk losing touch with what is vibrant and current in education. That’s why I strongly believe that continuous training isn’t a luxury or an obligation—it’s a natural necessity to remain connected, alive, and relevant in our profession.

The DataMathLab Festival takes place on 28–29 June 2025 in Brașov and is organised by the Aspire Teachers Association. Details about the event and how to register can be found on the festival’s presentation page.