Jean Valer and Jane Haught, authors of Thinking Strategies for Mastering Math, are experienced elementary teachers.  After watching elementary students struggle with basic math concepts and skills, Jean and Jane were inspired to develop a practical, hands-on, approach for the teaching and learning of mathematics.  In 1991, they started writing research validated materials and presenting interactive, hands-on modeling workshops.   To date, over 11,000 educators have attended Thinking Strategies for Mastering Math workshops.

        The resources of Minot State University math and math education departments played a vital role in the development of each workshop.  Along with the MSU staff, the primary math expert resource is Dr. David Harpster who is currently a mathematics professor at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point.