Windsor Unified board adopts ‘Thinking Math’ after two‑year pilot, cites bilingual and special‑ed supports
June 09, 2026 | Windsor Unified, School Districts, California
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Windsor Unified School District trustees voted to adopt a new elementary mathematics curriculum, Thinking Math, following a two‑year review and spring pilot at three sites.
The board’s recommendation, introduced by Annette Zakonei, the district’s curriculum lead, followed an evaluation that compared Amplify Desmos Math and Thinking Math (Innovat). Zakonei said the selection aligned with the 2023 California Math Framework’s emphasis on conceptual understanding and access for multilingual learners.
Teachers who piloted Thinking Math described classroom gains. Jen Williams, a fourth‑grade teacher at Brooks Elementary, said the program’s use of concrete manipulatives, number‑line strategies and scheduled review days helped students who had not engaged under prior materials. “Students who were off the rails this year told me on day one, ‘Now I like math,’” Williams said. Karen Winters, a special‑day‑class teacher at Mattie Washburn, said the curriculum’s built‑in repetition, manipulatives and digital practice supported differentiated instruction and raised engagement among students with individualized education plans.
Board discussion emphasized two implementation needs: substantial, scheduled professional development for teachers and attention to bilingual materials. Zakonei said the district chose Thinking Math in part because the materials originated in Spanish and were developed into English, which district staff and teachers said improved usability for dual‑language classrooms. The adoption plan includes a phased rollout, paid teacher participation on a district “traveling team” and targeted August and October professional development sessions.
A motion to adopt was made and seconded; the board voted in favor and the motion carried. Trustees signaled support for staged implementation, additional coaching and revisiting site‑level needs during the first year of implementation.
The district will pay participating teachers for pilot‑team time and provide ongoing webinars and grade‑level supports. The first major in‑district professional development session is scheduled for August 7, with additional follow‑ups planned through the fall.
The board’s action follows the district’s multi‑year effort with California Ed Partners’ P3C (prek–3 coherence) initiative and consultation with Sonoma County Office of Education offerings and vendor demonstrations.
The board’s recommendation, introduced by Annette Zakonei, the district’s curriculum lead, followed an evaluation that compared Amplify Desmos Math and Thinking Math (Innovat). Zakonei said the selection aligned with the 2023 California Math Framework’s emphasis on conceptual understanding and access for multilingual learners.
Teachers who piloted Thinking Math described classroom gains. Jen Williams, a fourth‑grade teacher at Brooks Elementary, said the program’s use of concrete manipulatives, number‑line strategies and scheduled review days helped students who had not engaged under prior materials. “Students who were off the rails this year told me on day one, ‘Now I like math,’” Williams said. Karen Winters, a special‑day‑class teacher at Mattie Washburn, said the curriculum’s built‑in repetition, manipulatives and digital practice supported differentiated instruction and raised engagement among students with individualized education plans.
Board discussion emphasized two implementation needs: substantial, scheduled professional development for teachers and attention to bilingual materials. Zakonei said the district chose Thinking Math in part because the materials originated in Spanish and were developed into English, which district staff and teachers said improved usability for dual‑language classrooms. The adoption plan includes a phased rollout, paid teacher participation on a district “traveling team” and targeted August and October professional development sessions.
A motion to adopt was made and seconded; the board voted in favor and the motion carried. Trustees signaled support for staged implementation, additional coaching and revisiting site‑level needs during the first year of implementation.
The district will pay participating teachers for pilot‑team time and provide ongoing webinars and grade‑level supports. The first major in‑district professional development session is scheduled for August 7, with additional follow‑ups planned through the fall.
The board’s action follows the district’s multi‑year effort with California Ed Partners’ P3C (prek–3 coherence) initiative and consultation with Sonoma County Office of Education offerings and vendor demonstrations.
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