The "Why does it matter? Integrating Authentic Assessment into Math Classrooms" workshop presented tools, examples, and strategies for integrating authentic assessments into curriculums. I researched, developed, and facilitated the session for the NOLA STEM Summit 2023 put on by New Schools New Orleans. Using authentic assessments helps students retain, apply, and connect to content. Through the example of an accessibility ramp project with check-point formative assessments, I lead teachers through strategies for developing community-relevant authentic assessments to integrate into math curriculums based on Guilker's 5-Dimensional Authentic Assessment Framework. The session feedback demonstrated improvements in teachers' desire and confidence in including authentic assessments in their practice and curriculums.