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About Dave Mitchell

30 years of making math matter

Dave Mitchell

Meet Dave

Dave Mitchell taught mathematics for 30 years in the public school system at the high school level, including at Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute in Kitchener, Ontario. Over three decades in the classroom, he saw firsthand what works and what doesn't when it comes to helping students genuinely connect with math.

After retiring 22 years ago, Dave didn't slow down. He dedicated himself to developing engaging educational materials and presenting workshops at teachers' conventions across Canada and the United States. What started as a passion project grew into a comprehensive library of resources that thousands of educators have used to transform their classrooms.

His mission has always been simple but powerful: to transform how students experience mathematics—from something to endure into something to enjoy, talk about, and explore. Every puzzle book, every song, every paper-folding activity was designed with one goal in mind—making students want to do math.

Dave believes math should spark conversation—between students, between students and teachers, and around the dinner table at home. When a child comes home singing the times tables or showing off a geometric construction they folded from a single sheet of paper, math stops being homework and starts being something the whole family can share.

Dave Mitchell with his students in the classroom

A Career in Numbers

30 Years in the Classroom

Taught high school mathematics in the Ontario public school system for three decades, developing and refining hands-on teaching methods that reached students of every ability level.

Complete Puzzle Book Library

Developed a complete library of puzzle books covering basic arithmetic through advanced operations—each one designed to make practice feel like play.

Multiplication Songs CD

Created the Multiplication Songs CD—learn every times table through music. Students who know the songs know their tables, period.

Math, Music, and Mayhem

Produced Math, Music, and Mayhem and its sequel—math-music connections designed for older students, making abstract concepts stick through rhythm and melody.

"Can You Fold Under Pressure?" Parts 1 & 2

Created two DVDs of paper-folding constructions that reveal the mathematics hidden in a single sheet of paper. Geometry, symmetry, and spatial reasoning—all through hands-on folding.

"What Would Picasso Say?"

Created a DVD teaching ruler and compass math art—where geometry meets creativity. Students learn mathematical precision while producing artwork they're proud of.

0 YouTube Views

Published a YouTube song about radius, diameter, area, and circumference that resonated with teachers and students around the world—now at over three million views and counting.

Workshops Across North America

Presented workshops at teachers' conventions across Canada and the United States, sharing practical, classroom-ready strategies with educators at every level.

0 Excellent Ratings

More than ninety percent of attending teachers rated Dave's workshop presentations as "Excellent"—a level of approval that is virtually unheard of in professional development.

Featured on CBC Radio's Morningside

In 1996, Dave appeared on CBC Radio's Morningside with Peter Gzowski—a national broadcast that was selected for "Best of Morningside" that evening and replayed during summer programming.

Teaching Awards

The Stewart Award for Teacher Excellence

1994

The Roy C. Hill Award for Innovation in Teaching

1997

The OSSTF Award of Excellence

1994

“In 30 years of teaching, I learned one thing above all else: when you make math fun—when you connect it to music, to art, to puzzles that feel like games—students don't just learn it. They talk about it. They share it. And that conversation is where real understanding begins.”

— Dave Mitchell

Kickstarting a Speaking Career

In 1995, Dave received a phone call from a reporter for the University of Waterloo's Alumni magazine, asking to interview him about the math songs he was using in his classes at Cameron Heights C.I. in Kitchener. The article appeared in the next issue—and on a nearby page, there happened to be a piece about Peter Gzowski of CBC Radio fame. What Dave didn't realize was that the magazine's staff had sent a copy to Gzowski's team in Toronto. The producer of Morningside noticed Dave's article and was intrigued.

The next day, Dave drove to Toronto with his portable piano keyboard, checked into the CBC building, and was told the interview would be a 5-minute slot. But the chemistry was immediate. Dave performed his Fraction Rap and sang Zero, That Funny Number. Peter remarked that Dave was getting a standing ovation in the control room. The interview ran for 15 minutes, blowing past the time limit. Peter announced it would air on The Best of Morningside that evening—and it was replayed again the following summer.

When Dave walked back into his classroom that afternoon, his grade 13 students—who had tuned in live—gave him a standing ovation.

The calls started pouring in from teachers across Canada. Judy Honikman from Calgary invited him to speak at the Calgary City Teachers' Convention. About 300 teachers attended, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. A representative from the Greater Edmonton Teachers' Convention was in the audience and booked Dave on the spot. Over the years that followed, Dave spoke dozens of times at teachers' conventions across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.

After retiring from the classroom in June 2004, Dave continued speaking in Canada and connected with Staff Development for Educators in Peterborough, New Hampshire. His audition at a large convention in Columbus, Ohio was so well received that he joined their roster. This led to speaking engagements in New York, Indiana, Illinois, Arkansas, Utah, Arizona, Mississippi, Maryland, Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and three appearances in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Dave Mitchell's interview with Peter Gzowski on CBC Radio's Morningside, 1996

It all started with a phone call from a reporter at the University of Waterloo Alumni Magazine. To this day, Dave remains very thankful for that call.

 Read the Full Speaking Career Story (PDF)

Conferences & Conventions

Dave has presented at teachers' conventions across Canada and the United States

 Canada

  • GETCA — Greater Edmonton Teachers' Convention (Edmonton)
  • CCTCA — Calgary City Teachers' Convention (Calgary)
  • MCATA — Mathematics Council of the Alberta Teachers' Association (Edmonton)
  • Central East Alberta Teachers' Convention
  • Ten of Eleven Teachers' Professional Development Districts in Alberta
  • OAME — Ontario Association for Mathematics Education (Toronto)
  • Agency Chiefs Tribal Council Convention (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)
  • Conferences across Saskatchewan and Ontario

 United States

  • New York
  • Indiana
  • Illinois
  • Arkansas
  • Utah
  • Arizona
  • Mississippi
  • Maryland
  • Ohio
  • Florida
  • Pennsylvania
  • Tennessee
  • Las Vegas, Nevada (three appearances)

What Students Said

Handwritten letters from former students — in their own words

Handwritten student testimonial letter to Mr. Mitchell, June 1999 — thanking him for restoring her confidence in math after bad experiences in grade 9

“You helped me to remember that the only thing possible is to try your best.” — Student, June 1999

Handwritten student testimonial letter to Mr. Mitchell — praising his qualities as a teacher and encouraging approach to math

“I truly admire your qualities — you always went out of your way to complement people.” — Steph

Typed student testimonial letter to Mr. Mitchell — thanking him for years of inspiring math classes and musical math lessons

“I will always remember those musical math classes — Hockey Night in Russia, Zero That Funny Number, and the numerous other verses you sang.”

Endorsements

“Mr. Mitchell was the keynote speaker and sessional presenter at a recent Teachers' Convention held on October 6th & 7th, 2011 at the Travelodge Hotel in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Mr. Mitchell is a math teacher and effectively demonstrated that Math can be anything but boring if you follow his personal strategies and techniques to motivate and excite your students.

Mr. Mitchell was an absolutely outstanding keynote speaker and presenter. He not only did a 2 hour keynote address but participated in 6 different session presentations over the 2 day convention. Mr. Mitchell is a multi-talented presenter who held the audience on the edge of their seats, and/or rolling in the aisles, for the entire 2 days.

Mr. Mitchell's presentations were stimulating, energetic, humorous, inspiring, and memorable. He very effectively used music, puppetry, technology, and a natural gift of effective speaking to keep the teachers absolutely spellbound for the entire 2 days. At the conclusion of the Convention the 150 teachers in attendance rated Mr. Mitchell with a 5 out of 5 overall for his presentations.

Over my 35 year tenure as a teacher/principal Mr. Mitchell is without a doubt the best speaker I have ever heard. I will remember his individual presentations, as well as his keynote address, as the highlights of my career.”

Garry Viczko Chairman, ACTC Convention — Agency Chiefs Tribal Council of Northwest Saskatchewan
Letters of support and appreciation from teachers and administrators

In the Press

Newspaper coverage of Dave's innovative approach to teaching math

Movin' to the Math Beat — newspaper article about Dave Mitchell
“Movin' to the Math Beat” — Teacher Churns Out Jingles to Make the Basics Memorable
A Magical Approach to Teaching — newspaper article about Dave Mitchell
“A Magical Approach to Teaching” — Math teacher resorts to unorthodox methods to get students' attention
Teachers get a math lesson worth the paper it's folded on — newspaper article
“Teachers Get a Math Lesson Worth the Paper It's Folded On” — Edmonton Journal, GETCA 2006
University of Waterloo Alumni Magazine article about Dave Mitchell
University of Waterloo Alumni Magazine — the article that caught Peter Gzowski's attention

Workshop Reviews

0

of attending teachers rated Dave's presentations as "Excellent"

Workshops delivered at teachers' conventions across Canada and the United States

GETCA Speaker Evaluation forms — all rated Excellent Calgary Teachers' Convention evaluation forms — all rated Excellent Central East Alberta Teachers' Convention evaluation forms — Excellent ratings GETCA Speaker Evaluation — Outstanding and Excellent ratings

“Outstanding! Dave, you are an engaging and informative speaker. Love your musical ideas, truly memorable!”

— Workshop Attendee, Speaker Evaluation

“REALLY Excellent! The best I've seen for math! Thank you! You are inspiring!”

— Workshop Attendee, Speaker Evaluation

“Dave has given me at least a dozen ideas for hands-on math manipulatives. I cannot wait to incorporate his ideas into my geometry units. Come back again!”

— Workshop Attendee, Speaker Evaluation

“Very interesting, knowledgeable and dynamic presenter. I appreciate that he has more resources online. Very original and creative ideas to challenge and motivate our students.”

— Teacher, Calgary Teachers' Convention

“Very interesting way to present any math concepts to students. Please come back next year with more ideas to share! What a fun way to learn math!”

— Teacher, Calgary Teachers' Convention

“Amazing geometry in a word! Great ideas for fun math lessons!”

— Teacher, Central East Alberta Teachers' Convention

“A whole combination of good strategies, good humor, and energy. Super! Fantastic to have a positive role model for good teaching.”

— Teacher, Greater Edmonton Teachers' Convention

“Dave Mitchell is an excellent presenter. This session or any other that he presents should be offered every year. I left with a stack of ideas that I can use on Monday. What a marvelous speaker. Amazing guy!”

— Teacher, Greater Edmonton Teachers' Convention

Want to Bring Dave's Materials to Your School?

Dave has spent decades creating, testing, and refining materials that make math the subject students actually talk about. Whether you're an administrator exploring a district-wide solution or a teacher looking for something that genuinely works, there's a path forward.

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