The vision of mathematics learning advocated by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) for twenty-five years (1989, 1991, 2000, 2014) positions students as active learners, constructing their knowledge of mathematics through exploration, discussion, and reflection. World-class standards put into place by states and provinces over the last decade support this vision by emphasizing reasoning, problem solving, and perseverance. The challenge that teachers face is how to make this vision, and the standards that embody it, a reality in their classrooms. This article provides an overview of the eight effective mathematics teaching practices first described in NCTM's "Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All."