Using DreamBox Math Purposefully to Maximize Student Support

San José Unified School District Uses DreamBox Math to Adapt Instruction and Support Every Learner

Meet Taylor Swenson, San José Unified School District (SJUSD)’s district instructional coach for elementary math. Dedicated to the district’s mission and student success, Swenson believes that the best education happens when teachers are prepared, supported, and eager to help their students. She has built that environment within her own network of educators. Deeply involved with all elementary teachers, she ensures they receive comprehensive training and professional development for every new curriculum product introduced.

As the largest school district in Santa Clara County, SJUSD serves a diverse population with varied needs. Any educational product it adopts must adapt to many different classroom situations while consistently producing positive results. DreamBox offered a promising solution.

Why DreamBox Math?

Searching for a supplemental math program that could deliver deeper insight into student comprehension—and help educators track student progress—San José Unified chose DreamBox Math. Its Intelligent Adaptive Learning technology engages students and strengthens understanding.

Although teachers were enthusiastic, many were initially unsure how to use the program most effectively. To smooth the learning curve, SJUSD provides ongoing professional development. Today, DreamBox Math is used district-wide in a variety of ways, complementing core instruction and illustrating the need for tools as adaptable as SJUSD’s educators.

DreamBox Math helps students understand the background information; making them stronger mathematically, conceptually, and helping them fully understand the material. That’s what I like. They’re walking away with a deeper understanding of math.

Amber Stagi

Grade 4-5 Teacher

Classroom Snapshots

Amber Stagi: Mixed Grade Classroom Model

Amber Stagi teaches a mixed-grade math class of fourth- and fifth-grade students, spanning a wide range of abilities. To use class time effectively while still giving each student attention, she and Taylor Swenson implemented a Collaborative Learning Experiences workshop model. Students rotate through activities, including DreamBox Math, while Stagi works with small groups.

Most importantly, DreamBox Math’s detailed reporting lets Stagi identify each student’s strengths and skill gaps, guiding targeted one-on-one or small-group instruction. She shares each student’s report, letting them choose focus areas. Involving students in the process increases engagement and ownership of learning.

What I’ve really tried to do is engage students in multiple ways every day—mathematically—by using DreamBox Math, by collaborating with them as partners in decision-making, and by creating collaborative learning experiences. The goal is to give every student more opportunities for success, rather than letting anyone feel like they’re just the kid in the back row who’s not good at math.

Amber Stagi

Grade 4-5 Teacher

Katy Bailey: Special Education Classroom

Special-education teacher Katy Bailey leads a class of 12 students whose math skills span kindergarten through fifth-grade levels. Previous apps lacked the rigor or growth-tracking her students needed, causing repetition and frustration.

DreamBox Math changed that. After training, Bailey grouped students by level and rotated them through four learning stations—including DreamBox Math. Students quickly embraced the program and now look forward to station rotations. Bailey credits DreamBox’s adaptive lessons and clear progress data with boosting enthusiasm and willingness to try new challenges.

The longer I use DreamBox Math, the more helpful it is. After the first year of using DreamBox Math, the district started offering training and I went to every training offered to learn about every feature. Once I had that under my belt, I was able to start using it with more purpose and knowledge and began to notice how useful the tool is in the classroom.

Katy Bailey

Special Education Teacher

Elizabeth Nevarez: Bilingual Instruction

Elizabeth Nevarez, a third-grade bilingual teacher, teaches math and social studies in Spanish and other subjects in English. Her tight-knit class often helps and encourages one another.

Years ago, Nevarez added DreamBox Math as a flexible independent activity. Her students use the Spanish version, mastering math concepts with language-agnostic virtual manipulatives while building vocabulary for next year’s English-language math course.

Using DreamBox Math reports and dashboards, Nevarez assigns lessons that align with core curriculum and individual needs. Students aim for five lessons weekly, track progress, celebrate milestones, and involve their parents through online reports. This year has yielded her students’ greatest growth yet.

I really do appreciate the fact that our district has this program implemented because I really have seen a great change in my students’ math abilities and skills. So, it’s been a great asset to our classroom.

Elizabeth Nevarez

3rd Grade Teacher

At The Point of Purposefulness

Innovative districts need innovative tools that match their educators’ talents and the high standards they set. SJUSD found an ideal math partner in DreamBox. By coupling robust professional development with DreamBox’s adaptive technology, the district delivers exactly the support its educators and students need. When innovative educators have innovative tools, opportunity grows exponentially. SJUSD’s story shows the powerful outcomes possible when teachers receive the right support, tools, and encouragement. The mission of the educator is never finished, but SJUSD’s ongoing efforts prove that new benefits and positive results are always within reach.