Martin Middle makes math click with Core and Encore Math
PRESS RELEASE FROM WEAKLEY COUNTY SCHOOLS:
Martin Middle Makes Math Click with Core and Encore Math
If you think math class still involves only worksheets and quiet focus, visiting a Core and Encore math class at Martin Middle will make you think again.
Four years ago, the school decided to rethink the way math is taught. Instead of a traditional 45-minute period, students now have a 90-minute math block divided into two separate classes: Core Math and Encore Math. It looks, and sounds, different than a traditional math class setup. And that difference is exactly what’s adding up to success.
The classes are set up so that students first attend Core Math class, where new concepts are introduced. In that class, the foundation is built for each lesson and skill they will learn. Then, they move into their Encore Math class, where targeted instruction and flexible pacing will allow each student to receive the targeted support that meets them at their individual skill level.
The Core and Encore model isn’t just a shift in teaching—it’s a physical shift, too. When the first bell rings, students pack up and head to their Encore teacher’s classroom. That transition helps signal a mindset shift: Core is where they learn it, and Encore is where they strengthen it.
The setup allows teachers to tag-team instruction, bounce ideas off one another, and personalize learning in real time, a collaboration that doesn’t happen by chance. Behind every lesson is a conversation between teachers: discussing what worked, what didn’t, and how to adapt for the next class.
In Kristy Shumake’s Core Math class, students are encouraged to carry the cognitive load—the mental heavy lifting that comes from wrestling with a problem and explaining their thinking. She doesn’t just hand them the answers. Instead, she asks questions, prompting them to reason it out, preparing them not only for math class, but for real life.
“We want them to own their learning,” Shumake said. “When they realize they can figure something out themselves, that confidence carries into everything else they do.”
Once that foundation is set, students shift into their Encore Math class, where the learning becomes more targeted and personalized. This is where flexible pacing, small-group instruction, and one-on-one support truly shine.
“It takes a lot of teamwork,” shared Gracie Weiss, Encore Math teacher. “Some days we pivot mid-lesson if students need something different. Other days, we move ahead because they’ve already mastered the concept. Every class has its own rhythm.”
That rhythm is what allows Encore Math to become extremely application-based—making it clear where each student needs more support. And when the light bulb “clicks,” it creates a snowball effect. Students begin tackling more difficult problems with confidence because they’ve proven to themselves they can do hard things.
As for testing, the results speak for themselves when looking at how MMS math proficiency has climbed dramatically over the past three years:
- 6th grade: from 24.3% to 45%
- 7th grade: from 19.9% to 40.8%
- 8th grade: from 19.6% to 61.1%
- Algebra I: from 81.3% to 100%
“That growth is a reflection of how invested our teachers are in finding what works for students,” said Principal John Lifsey. “They’ve built a system that values both consistency and creativity. It’s not about teaching a one-size-fits-all lesson; it’s about meeting kids where they are and helping them move forward.”
Director of Schools Jeff Cupples echoed that praise, commending MMS for its innovative spirit and collaborative culture.
“Martin Middle’s math team didn’t wait for someone else to define what innovation should look like,” Cupples said. “They looked at their students, saw what was needed, and built something that works. Their results prove that when educators think boldly and work together, students thrive.”
Inside those classrooms, math isn’t only a tested subject: it’s real life. It’s problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking rolled into one. Through that rhythm of learning, moving, and practicing again, students don’t just remember concepts and skills, they own and embrace the confidence they gain from mastering them. And that skill will carry them far beyond middle school.
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