Innovating Mathematics Learning: Our Story

Three founders sit together. Two women and a man with a window and classroom features behind them.

A Partnership Built Over 20 Years

The Number Lab began with a team of educators—Cathy Lewis, Kevin Moore, and Lisa Zapalac— who had worked together for more than two decades. Their collaboration started in an Austin private school, where they worked together for a decade and shared a belief that math education for elementary and middle school students could be more meaningful, more rigorous, and more connected to the true discipline of mathematics.

The Need for Change in Teaching Mathematics

The founders saw firsthand that many students were learning math through procedures—not through thinking. They also observed the anxiety and negative self-identity from students towards traditional mathematics curriculum. They wanted to design a learning experience where students:

  • build deep conceptual understanding,

  • develop flexible problem-solving strategies, and

  • use reasoning, proof, and justification as everyday tools

Creating a New, Innovative Framework for Learning Mathematics

To support this vision, the team developed the Generative Framework—a structure that helps students connect concepts, analyze problems, and communicate mathematically sound justifications for their thinking. This framework became the backbone of their classroom practice and eventually the foundation of everything The Number Lab teaches. Eventually, this evolved into The Number Lab Math Block, which is used at Long-View Micro School each day.

A group of children sit in a circle on the floor. There is a whiteboard and turquoise wall behind them. The floor is concrete. They are all looking towards the teacher, also sitting on the floor.

Understanding the Role of Culture in Mathematics Learning

Through their work, the founders recognized a fundamental truth: classroom culture cannot be separated from school culture. The way students interact, collaborate, question, and persist is shaped by the norms and values around them. To fully realize the kind of math learning they believed in, the team knew they needed an environment intentionally built for it.

Children line an outdoor porch, standing against a rail. They are all smiling. Sun is shining and green bushes are below them.

Building a School to Model the Vision

This led to the creation of Long-View Micro School, located in Austin, Texas—a 2-8 school designed to bring the three founders’ assumptions about children, learning, and mathematics to life. The school became a living example of the culture, pedagogy, and instructional approaches they wanted students and teachers to experience.

A large group of math teachers gathers in a room of whiteboards. A consultant speaks about math.

Expanding the Work Beyond One School

From this foundation, Long-View Micro School emerged as a conduit for The Number Lab’s evolving learnings. Today, The Number Lab + Long-View Micro School work in tandem to share the research-backed approach with educators across the country through:

  • professional development,

  • curriculum and classroom materials, and

  • a flagship summer math conference, the [Co]lab, designed for K–8 teachers.

Cathy, Kevin, and Lisa’s mission remains constant: to make rigorous, joyful mathematics possible for every learner—by supporting the educators who make it happen.