Company
About Us
Thinking Maps, Inc., is a group of lifelong educators in both sales and consulting committed to one simple idea:
When students know how to think critically, they are equipped to engage in meaningful learning at all levels.
How Do We Grow These Thinking Skills?
It all starts with the teacher. That’s why we focus on building the capacity of teachers to meet the cognitive needs of their students. Our training, teacher materials and online resources are designed to transform teaching and learning so that every student can reach their full potential.
OUR MISSION
"To equip learning communities with the tools they need to nurture successful thinkers, problem solvers, decision makers, and lifelong learners."
Our History
Thinking Maps, Inc. was established in 1990, building on the legacy of Innovative Sciences, Inc. (ISI).
Our story began in the 1940s with Dr. Albert Upton’s seminal work Design for Thinking. Over the past 30+ years, our authors and researchers have adapted Dr. Upton’s theories for the K–12 classroom, aligning his cognitive models with real-world teaching. In 1990, under the name Innovative Sciences, Inc., we began bringing Thinking Maps to whole-school learning communities—a model still central to our work today. In 2004, we became Thinking Maps, Inc., a name that reflects our mission and commitment to student-centered, school-wide impact.
Since then, our tools have supported tens of thousands of schools, and our professional development is widely recognized for driving meaningful instructional change. A 2019 study conducted by a major research institution found that schools implementing Thinking Maps were nearly twice as likely to exceed their district’s average growth in reading and math compared to non-implementing schools.
We launched our digital journey in 2014 with the Thinking Maps Learning Community (TMLC) and are now expanding our reach with AI-powered tools. Our latest innovation integrates our proven visual learning strategies with advanced language modeling, allowing teachers to generate standards-aligned lesson plans, writing prompts, and targeted interventions in seconds—supporting both brain-based instruction and critical thinking.
As part of our continued commitment to elevating teaching and learning, we’ve also developed specialized programs like Write from the Beginning... and Beyond, Path to Proficiency for English Language Learners, and A Language for Leadership—all created in response to the evolving needs of our educators and school leaders.
With cutting-edge technology, impactful professional development, and high-quality instructional materials, Thinking Maps remains dedicated to enhancing teacher effectiveness and improving student outcomes.