16 May $2.5m boost to help teachers crack the maths code in school classrooms
Teaching maths in school isn’t easy — especially when one classroom can include children working at very different levels. A new $2.5 million investment aims to give teachers clearer, more practical tools to help every student keep up.
Helping teachers teach maths — step by step
La Trobe University has received a $2.5 million gift from the Bertalli Family Foundation to strengthen how maths is taught in schools — starting with teacher support.
The funding will expand La Trobe’s Science of Mathematics Education (SOME) Lab, which focuses on helping teachers break maths concepts into simple, structured steps.
For many teachers, that’s exactly what’s needed. In a typical classroom, students can range from those still mastering basics to those ready for more advanced work. Explaining concepts in a way that reaches everyone — without leaving some behind — is a daily challenge.
The SOME Lab aims to tackle this head-on by training teachers in “explicit teaching” — a method that focuses on clearly modelling steps, guiding practice and checking understanding along the way.
Professor Joanna Barbousas says the goal is to give teachers more confidence and clarity in the classroom.
“This gift is a game-changer. It allows us to rapidly equip teachers with the tools they need to teach maths with confidence, clarity and impact,” she said.
Why this matters for kids
The push comes at a critical time.
Recent data shows one in three Australian students is not meeting expected maths standards, while more than a quarter of teachers report feeling underprepared to teach upper primary maths.
Experts say structured, evidence-based teaching can make a real difference — particularly for students who struggle without clear foundations.
Rather than asking children to “figure it out” on their own, explicit teaching builds skills step by step, helping students gain confidence as they go.
The SOME Lab will offer short, practical online courses so teachers can apply these strategies immediately in the classroom.
A long-term commitment to better learning
The Bertalli Family Foundation has supported education projects for more than 40 years, with a strong focus on improving outcomes for children in regional and disadvantaged communities.
Founder Neville Bertalli says the goal is simple: make sure teachers have access to the best evidence about how children learn — and the tools to turn that into real classroom results.
By investing in teacher training, the Foundation hopes to create lasting change — helping more children build strong maths skills early, and carry that confidence through school and beyond.
