Ten math teachers from junior and senior academies across the Lake Union gathered on Oct. 14 at the Lake Union Conference in Berrien Springs, Michigan, for a day of professional growth focused on artificial intelligence and math instruction. Photo credit: Darren Heslop
Debbie Michel
October 30, 2025Ruth Horton, EdD, Lake Union education director, said the math training was designed to strengthen instruction in a subject that continues to require deeper diver-ins for students and educators alike. “Math has always been the class many people say they struggled with,” she said. “Since fewer teachers specialize in mathematics instruction, we find many students moving through elementary, middle and into high school without as strong a math foundation as we would like to see.”
The theme of the day-long training, “AI and Math Instruction,” began with a devotional by Anthony Bosman, PhD, exploring what the Bible has to say about AI followed by an exploration into The Mathematics of Thinking Machines. Another presenter explored how artificial intelligence can support teachers and students by “harnessing the potential of AI to make math instruction more manageable while fostering meaning that builds on mathematical concepts for increased learning,” Horton said. “Teachers are constantly scaffolding for students at multiple levels. Technology can certainly assist, once you’ve laid a solid foundation.”
Deeper dive into content areas of geometry, specifically Isosceles, as well, and single area statistics added some more mathematics content learning to the day.
Presenters included Anthony Bosman, PhD, chair of the Andrews University math department; Aaron Long, a NAD Education technology representative from Burton Academy in the Southwestern Union, and Chantel Blackburn, PhD, teacher at the Berrien RESA Math and Science Center.
Attendees represented Andrews Academy, Battle Creek Academy, Greater Lansing Junior Academy, Hinsdale Adventist Academy, Holland Adventist Academy, Indiana Academy, Ruth Murdoch Elementary School, Thompsonville Junior Academy, Village Adventist Elementary School and Wisconsin Academy.
Horton said participants had some healthy interactions, and noted the need for more time for teachers to connect with each other in future Math PLC’s. “Overall, it was a good day” and teachers also “now are more aware of the other math teachers [throughout the union], and can begin to network and support each other.”
Debbie Michel is editor of the Lake Union Herald.
