My Work
I’m a telecommunications engineer turned mathematics educator. Over the past decade, I’ve taught mathematics at many levels—from early childhood to high school and university—in Spain and the United States. Currently, I lead the Innovamat Learning team in the US, focusing on research, curriculum development, and professional learning. Originally from Barcelona and now based in the US, I bring a multicultural perspective to all my work. This diverse classroom experience, combined with my academic research, fuels my commitment to bridging theory and practice in math education.
My work explores what makes math teaching rich—starting with the tasks we offer students, but quickly zooming out to include the tools, the environment, and above all, the teachers themselves. I’m especially interested in how instructional materials, professional learning, and systemic conditions can empower math teachers to create classrooms where curiosity thrives and understanding deepens.
Below you’ll find a selection of my speaking experiences and research publications. Together, they reflect my ongoing effort to connect rigorous ideas with the lived realities of teachers and students, always through the lens of thoughtful questioning.
🎤 Talks
A sample of my talks, sessions, and workshops in regional, national, and international events.
– Upcoming! –
– 2026 –
Keynote at the Enjoy Thinking Bogotá - En Voz Alta: la Conversación como Motor de Aprendizaje
Vilalta, A. (2026). En Voz Alta: la Conversación como Motor de Aprendizaje [Keynote]. Enjoy Thinking Bogotá 2026, Bogotá, Colombia.
Keynote at the Enjoy Thinking Quito - En Voz Alta: la Conversación como Motor de Aprendizaje
Vilalta, A. (2026). En Voz Alta: la Conversación como Motor de Aprendizaje [Keynote]. Enjoy Thinking Quito 2026, Quito, Ecuador.
Keynote with Peter Liljedahl at the CMC-Central Symposium - New Light Through an Old Window: The Deconstruction and Reconstruction of Teaching Math
Liljedahl, P. & Vilalta, A. (2026). New Light Through an Old Window: The Deconstruction and Reconstruction of Teaching Math [Keynote]. CMC-Central Symposium 2026, Bakersfield (CA), USA.
Session with Peter Liljedahl at the CMC-Central Symposium - Estimation as a Robust Thinking Activity
Liljedahl, P. & Vilalta, A. (2026). Estimation as a Robust Thinking Activity [Session]. CMC-Central Symposium 2026, Bakersfield (CA), USA.
Session with Judith Fábrega at the CMC-Central Symposium - Belonging and Brilliance: Centering Students in Early Math Classrooms
Fábrega, J. & Vilalta, A. (2026). Belonging and Brilliance: Centering Students in Early Math Classroom [Session]. CMC-Central Symposium 2026, Bakersfield (CA), USA.
Session at the UCTM Annual Conference - A Learning Trajectory for Triangles
Weltman, A. & Vilalta, A. (2026). A Learning Trajectory for Triangles [Session]. UCTM Annual Conference 2026, Provo (UT), USA.
– 2025 –
Sessions with Judith Fábrega at the CMC-North & CMC-South Annual Conference - Exploring Shapes, Sparking Wonder: A Geometry Thinking Classroom Journey
Fábrega, J. & Vilalta, A. (2026). Exploring Shapes, Sparking Wonder: A Geometry Thinking Classroom Journey [Session]. CMC-North Annual Conference, Pacific Grove (CA), USA.
Fábrega, J. & Vilalta, A. (2026). 5 Little Ducks: Discovering Number through Story, Play, and Representation in Transitional Kindergarten [Session]. CMC-North Annual Conference, Pacific Grove (CA), USA.
Fábrega, J. & Vilalta, A. (2026). Exploring Shapes, Sparking Wonder: A Geometry Thinking Classroom Journey [Session]. CMC-South Annual Conference, Palm Springs (CA), USA.
Session at the AMTNJ Fall Conference - The Courage of Guessing: Three Leaps to Courageous Math
Vilalta, A. (2025). The Courage of Guessing: Three Leaps to Courageous Math [Session]. AMTNJ Fall Conference 2026, Lincroft (NJ), USA.
Workshop with Peter Liljedahl at the Enjoy Thinking Sacramento 2025 - BTC-ing a Lesson
Liljedahl, P. & Vilalta, A. (2025). BTC-ing a Lesson [Workshop]. Enjoy Thinking Sacramento 2025, Sacramento (CA), USA.
Workshop with Cathy Williams at the Enjoy Thinking Sacramento 2025 - Number Flexibility in Action
Williams, C. & Vilalta, A. (2025). Number Flexibility in Action [Workshop]. Enjoy Thinking Sacramento 2025, Sacramento (CA), USA.
Session at the NCSM Annual Conference - Unlocking the Power of the Standards for Mathematical Practice to Accelerate Learning
Morera, L., Fabrega, J. & Vilalta, A. (2025). Unlocking the Power of the Standards for Mathematical Practice to Accelerate Learning [Session]. NCSM Annual Conference, Atlanta (GE), USA.
Session at the ICTM Annual Conference - Sparking Joy! Problem-Solving in Thinking Classrooms
Waring, M., Vilalta, A. (2025). Sparking Joy! Problem Solving in Thinking Classrooms [Session]. ICTM Annual Conference, Bloomington-Normal (IL), USA.
Session at the ICTM Annual Conference - Math Intervention: Finding the Fun in Fluency
Waring, M., Vilalta, A. (2025). Math Intervention: Finding the Fun in Fluency [Session]. ICTM Annual Conference, Bloomington-Normal (IL), USA.
Workshop at the Annual Educators Conference by the Tri-Association - Rewriting Math Stories: Identity, Belonging, and Empowerment for a Future-Ready World
Vilalta, A. (2025). Rewriting Math Stories: Identity, Belonging, and Empowerment for a Future-Ready World [Workshop]. Annual Educators Conference by the Tri-Association, San José, Costa Rica.
Keynote at XII Cumbre Líderes por la Educación - Ni aburridas, ni imposibles: cómo enseñar matemáticas sin fracasar
Vilalta, A. (2025). Ni aburridas, ni imposibles: cómo enseñar matemáticas sin fracasar [Keynote]. XII Cumbre Líderes por la Educación, Bogotá, Colombia.
BTC’25 with Peter Liljedahl – Estimation as a Robust Thinking Activity
Liljedahl, P. & Vilalta, A. (2025). Estimation as a Robust Thinking Activity [Workshop]. Bulding Thinking Classrooms (BTC) Annual Conference, Seattle (WA), USA.
NCTE-NCTM’25 – Geometric Dictations and Fluency
Waring, M. & Vilalta, A. (2025). Geometric Dictations: Building Math Understanding through Communication and Language [Workshop]. NCTE-NCTM Joint Conference, Chicago (IL), USA.
Baier, R. & Vilalta, A. (2025). Mathematical Fluency through a Literacy Lens [Workshop]. NCTE-NCTM Joint Conference, Chicago (IL), USA.
Webinar with Cecilio Dimas – Assessment of Learning & Assessment for Learning
Dimas, C. & Vilalta, A. (2025). Session 5: Assessment of Learning & Assessment for Learning [Virtual Workshop Series on the CA Framework].
Webinar with Ma Bernadette Andres-Salgarino – Teaching Toward Social Justice
Andres-Salgarino, M. & Vilalta, A. (2025). Session 4: Teaching Toward Social Justice [Virtual Workshop Series on the CA Framework].
Webinar with Harold Asturias – Multilingual Learners: Design and Strategy
Asturias, H. & Vilalta, A. (2025). Session 3: Multilingual Learners: Design and Strategy [Virtual Workshop Series on the CA Framework].
Webinar with Peter Liljedahl – Using Open and Engaging Tasks
Liljedahl, P. & Vilalta, A. (2025). Session 2: Using Open and Engaging Tasks [Virtual Workshop Series on the CA Framework].
Podcast with Peter Liljedahl – Join the Collaboration! BTC x Innovamat
Liljedahl, P. & Vilalta, A. (2025). Join the Collaboration! BTC x Innovamat [Podcast].
Webinar with Peter Liljedahl – Making Thinking Central in your Math Classroom: BTC x Innovamat
Liljedahl, P., Baier, R. & Vilalta, A. (2025). Making Thinking Central in your Math Classroom: BTC x Innovamat [Virtual Workshop].
CMC-Central’25 – Hands-On & Minds-On: Designing Math Learning that Sparks Curiosity and Deep Thinking
Peacock, L. & Vilalta, A. (2025). Hands-On & Minds-On: Designing Math Learning that Sparks Curiosity and Deep Thinking [Workshop]. Annual Meeting of the California Math Council - Central (CMC-Central), Bakersfield (CA), USA.
ETNJ’25 – Overcoming Obstacles in Math: What is Getting in the Way of Student Thinking?
Vilalta, A. (2025). Overcoming Obstacles in Math: What is Getting in the Way of Student Thinking? [Keynote]. Enjoy Thinking New Jersey ‘25. Rutgers University, New Brunswick (NJ), USA.
– 2024 –
NCTM’24 – Beyond the Answer: Analyzing Representations to Understand Students' Thinking
Morera, L. & Vilalta, A. (2024). Beyond the Answer: Analyzing Representations to Understand Students' Thinking [Workshop]. Annual Meeting of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), Chicago (IL), USA.
NCTM’24 – The Blank Page: Students' Representations of Mathematical Thinking
Fábrega, J., Edo, M. & Vilalta, A. (2024). The Blank Page: Students' Representations of Mathematical Thinking [Workshop]. Annual Meeting of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), Chicago (IL), USA.
NCSM’24 – Mathematical Practices through Rich Math Activities
Fábrega, J., Morera, L. & Vilalta, A. (2024). Mathematical Practices through Rich Math Activities [Workshop]. Annual Meeting of the National Council of Superintendents of Mathematics (NCSM), Chicago (IL), USA.
PME #47 – Enriching Math Teaching Guides: A Competency-Based Framework
Vilalta, A., Deulofeu, J. & Morera, L. (2024). Enriching Math Teaching Guides: a Competency-Based Framework [Oral Communication]. 47th Annual Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME47). Auckland, New Zealand.
Round table: Schools, Reflecting the Society of the Future | A chat with Andeas Schleicher (OECD)
Schleicher, A., Sánchez, V., Vilalta, A. & Borrell, J. (2024). Schools, Reflecting the Society of the Future | A chat with Andeas Schleicher (OECD) [Round Table]. Cercle d’Economia, Barcelona, Spain.
CMC-North’24 – Mastering the New CA Math Framework: Practical Tools
Vilalta, A. & Portell, B. (2024). Mastering the New CA Math Framework: Practical Tools [Workshop]. Annual Meeting of the California Math Council - North (CMC-North), Pacific Grove (CA), USA.
Lifting the Math Practices @ Math On the Rocks
Vilalta, A. (2024). Lifting the Math Practices @ Math on the Rocks with Duane Habecker and Cole Sampson [Podcast]. Annual Meeting of the California Math Council - South (CMC-South), Palm Springs (CA), USA.
Deep Conceptual Understanding of Big Ideas From the New Math Framework
Vilalta, A. (2024). Deep Conceptual Understanding of Big Ideas From the New Math Framework [Webinar Series]. Kern County Office of Education, Bakersfield (CA), USA.
PASCD’24 – Can We Reignite Math Joy Without Compromising Rigor and Critical Thinking?
Gibboney, B. & Vilalta, A. (2024). Can We Reignite Math Joy Without Compromising Rigor and Critical Thinking? [Workshop]. Annual Meeting of the Penssylvania Assoc. for Supervision and Curriculum Development (PASCD). Hershey (PA), USA.
ETMX’24 – Desmontando mitos sobre el aprendizaje de las matemáticas
Vilalta, A. (2024). Desmontando mitos sobre el aprendizaje de las matemáticas [Keynote]. Enjoy Thinking México ‘24. Mexico City, Mexico.
AMTNJ’24 – Developmentally Appropriate Pre-K Math Learning
Vilalta, A. & Pérez, A. (2024). Developmentally Appropriate Pre-K Math Learning [Workshop]. Fall Conference of the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New Jersey (AMTNJ), Lincroft (NJ), USA.
AMTNJ’24 – Is it Possible to Unlock Math Practices in Everyday Instruction?
Vilalta, A. (2024). Is it Possible to Unlock Math Practices in Everyday Instruction? [Workshop]. Fall Conference of the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New Jersey (AMTNJ), Lincroft (NJ), USA.
UCTM’24 – Fostering Math Practices through Rich Math Tasks in Elementary Education
Vilalta, A. (2024). Fostering Math Practices through Rich Math Tasks in Elementary Education. [Workshop] Utah Council of Teachers of Math (UCTM). Provo (UT), USA.
– 2023 and earlier –
NCTM’23 – “Sam’s journey”: Exploring the History of Math and Sense of Identity through Powerful Narrative
Caelles, M., Vilalta, A. & Sánchez, V. (2022). “Sam’s journey”: Exploring the History of Math and Sense of Identity through Powerful Narrative [Workshop]. Annual Meeting of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Los Angeles (CA), USA.
NCTM’23 – Making Sense of Fractions: A Journey into Deeper Understanding
Vilalta, A. (2023). Making Sense of Fractions: A Journey into Deeper Understanding [Workshop]. Annual Meeting of the National Council of Teachers of Math (NCTM), Washington, DC, USA.
AMTNJ’23: Enhancing Mathematical Processes: Rich Math Tasks in Elementary Education
Vilalta, A. (2023) Enhancing Mathematical Processes: Rich Math Tasks in Elementary Education [Workshop]. Fall Conference of the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New Jersey (AMTNJ), Lincroft (NJ), USA.
ETNJ’23 – Measuring Success: Indicators of Genuine Transformation in the Math Classroom
Vilalta, A. (2023). Measuring Success: Indicators of Genuine Transformation in the Math Classroom [Keynote]. Enjoy Thinking New Jersey ‘23. Hoboken (NJ), USA.
10 Math Practices to Foster Problem-Solving for Elementary Learners
Schoepp, H., Portell, B. & Vilalta, A. (2023). 10 Math Practices to Foster Problem-Solving for Elementary Learners [Webinar]. EdWeb, USA.
Actividades ricas para primaria: los procesos matemáticos en el aula
Vilalta, A., Calvo, C. & Morera, L. (2023). Actividades ricas para primaria: los procesos matemáticos en el aula [Workshop]. Conferencia Interamericana de Educación Matemática, Lima, Perú.
Vilalta, A., Torregrosa, A., Morera, L. & Real, A. (2022) Actividades ricas para primaria: los procesos matemáticos en el aula [Virtual Workshop]. IX Congreso Iberoamericano de Educación Matemática, São Paulo, Brasil.
Vilalta, A., Morera, L. (2020). Activitats riques per a l'aula de primària. [Workshop] Congrés Català d'Educació Matemàtica 2020 (C2EM). Reus-Tarragona.
CIEM’23 – Historia e identidad matemática en el aula de secundaria: una experiencia a través de la ficción
Caelles, M., Vilalta, A. & Sánchez, V. (2023). Historia e identidad matemática en el aula de secundaria: una experiencia a través de la ficción [Workshop]. Conferencia Interamericana de Educación Matemática, Lima, Perú.
ICME #14 – Rich Math Activities for a Primary School Class
Vilalta, A., Morera, L., Rojas, F. & Solar, H. (2021). Rich Math Activities for a Primary School Class [Virtual Workshop]. 14th International Congress of Mathematical Education, Shanghai, China.
📚 Research & Publications
A selection of my academic writing and ongoing research projects.
Analizando el impacto de un programa curricular basado en el desarrollo de la competencia matemática: El caso de Innovamat. [Analyzing the Impact of a Mathematical Competency-Based Curriculum: The Innovamat Case]
Torregrosa, A., Correig, E., Colomer, M., Vilalta, A. & Herranz, M. (2026). Analizando el impacto de un programa curricular basado en el desarrollo de la competencia matemática: El caso de Innovamat. Revista de Investigación Educativa, 44. https://doi.org/10.6018/rie.631081
Doctoral Dissertation: Riqueza competencial en una guía didáctica de matemáticas: el caso del proyecto Innovamat para primaria
Vilalta-Riera, A. (2025). Riqueza competencial en una guía didáctica de matemáticas: el caso del proyecto Innovamat para primaria. [Doctoral dissertation, Autonomous University of Barcelona]. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/694127
Prologue to the Spanish Edition of Building Thinking Classrooms, by Peter Liljedahl
Calvo, C., Morera, L., Vilalta, A. (2024) Prólogo a la edición en español de «Diseñando aulas para pensar en matemáticas», de Peter Liljedahl. NED Ediciones & Innovamat.
Enriching Math Teaching Guides from a Competency-Based Perspective
Vilalta Riera, A., Deulofeu Piquet, J., & Morera Úbeda, L. (2024). Enriching math teaching guides from a competency-based perspective. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 20(7), em2477. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/14761
Development and validation of a Semi-automated, Scalable Response to Intervention Framework in Mathematics
Correig-Fraga, E., Vilalta-Riera, A. & Calvo-Pesce, C. (2024). Development and validation of a semi-automated, scalable response to intervention framework in mathematics. SN Social Sciences 4, 31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-024-00835-7
White Paper of Math Education: Research Basis of Innovamat’s Core Curriculum
Vilalta, A. et al. (2024). White Paper of Math Education: Research Basis of Innovamat’s Core Curriculum. Innovamat Education. Read it here.
Automatizar las tablas de multiplicar: un propósito que va más allá de 3º de primaria
Calvo, C., Vilalta, A. & Correig, E. (2023). Automatizar las tablas de multiplicar: un propósito que vas más allá de 3º de primaria. Uno: Revista de Didáctica de las matemáticas, 99, 61-67.
Un proyecto para desarrollar la competencia matemática en el aula de primaria
Vilalta, A. (2021). Un proyecto para desarrollar la competencia matemática en el aula de primaria. Uno: Revista de Didáctica de las Matemáticas, 92, 73-79.
Actividades STEM desde una perspectiva matemática rica
Morera, L., Ríos, B. & Vilalta, A. (2020). Actividades STEM desde una perspectiva matemática rica. Aula de innovación educativa (Ed. Graó), 292, 71-72.