Episodes

This year changed the way I think about teaching math. Between piloting a new curriculum, beginning National Board Certification, and teaching students with very different needs, I realized something important: 👉 Knowing math content is not the same thing as intentionally designing mathematical experiences. In this episode, I’m reflecting on the instructional shifts that made the biggest difference in my classroom this year—and why becoming more intentional transformed the way I teach. 💡 In ...

Ever feel like your math lessons are… fine, but not really connecting? You’re covering the content, following the curriculum—but students aren’t fully engaged. In this episode, we walk through a simple, repeatable process to turn any math lesson into a real-world experience—without starting from scratch or spending hours planning. 💡 In This Episode: Why some math lessons feel flat (even when they’re “good”)A simple 4-step process to redesign your lessonsHow to make math more real, relevant, ...

Think you don’t have time for projects? Feel stuck with your curriculum? Worried your students can’t handle it? Let’s talk about it. In this episode, we’re breaking down the 3 biggest myths about real-world math and project-based learning—and why they might be the exact things holding you back. 💡 In This Episode: Why “I don’t have time” isn’t actually the real problem How to use your curriculum as a backbone—not a limitation Why your students can handle meaningful math tasks Simple ways to s...

Think you need a full project-based learning unit to bring real-world math into your classroom? You don’t. In this episode, we’re breaking down how to start with smaller, meaningful project experiences—without overhauling your entire curriculum or spending hours planning. 💡 In This Episode: Why full PBL units can feel overwhelming (and what to do instead)What a “mini project” or performance task actually looks likeA simple process to redesign your lessons in less timeReal classroom example...

Ever tried a math project that should have worked… but didn’t? Maybe students were off task, confused, or the math just didn’t stick. 👉 You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re breaking down why many math projects fall flat—and what actually makes them work in a real classroom. 💡 In This Episode: Why “fun” projects don’t always lead to learningThe biggest mistakes in project-based learning for mathWhat students actually need to stay engagedA simple way to redesign projects without starting f...

Most “real-world math” problems don’t actually feel real to students. In this episode, we break down what real-world math really means—and how to make small shifts that help students actually connect to what they’re learning. In This Episode: Why most real-world math falls flatThe difference between context and connectionWhat makes math feel meaningful to studentsA simple way to improve your lessons ✨ Key Takeaway: Real-world math isn’t about the story—it’s about the connection. 💌 Free Guid...

Not all engagement leads to learning. In this episode, we break down the difference between fun math and meaningful math—and how to start designing lessons that actually stick. In This Episode: Why “fun” doesn’t always equal learningThe 3-part framework: real, relevant, rigorousHow to improve your lessons without starting overA simple shift you can try right away Key Takeaway: Meaningful math = real + relevant + rigorous. Free Guide: Project or Practice? Download here: https://moorethanjust...

When students ask this question, it’s not about attitude. 👉 It’s about relevance. In this episode, we break down what students are really asking—and how to start making math feel more meaningful without redesigning your entire curriculum. In This Episode: Why students struggle to see the value in mathWhy common teacher responses don’t workWhat students actually need to stay engagedA simple shift to make your lessons more relevant Key Takeaway: Students engage when math feels useful—not just ...

If your students feel disengaged during math class… it’s probably not you. 👉 It’s the lesson design. In this episode, we break down why students check out—and why trying to be more “fun” isn’t the fix. Instead, we’re shifting toward what actually works: real, relevant, meaningful math. In This Episode: ✨ Why engagement ≠ entertainment ✨ The real reason students lose interest in math ✨ The difference between fun vs. meaningful lessons ✨ One simple shift to try right away Engagement comes from...

Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of everyday classroom life—but the real conversation may be bigger than whether students should be using it. Students using AI isn’t the real story. The real story is what their use of AI is revealing about how school currently works. In this episode, I’m joined by Aron Boxer, CEO and Founder of Diversified Education Services and a former special education teacher and executive functioning specialist. Aron has more than 15 years of experience work...

You spend the time grading. You write the comments. And then students look at the grade and move on. Sound familiar? In this episode, Kristen tackles two of the biggest feedback problems math teachers face: feedback that comes too late to matter, and feedback that isn't personalized enough to actually help. She walks through the real tools she's using in her classroom to solve both — so your judgment as a teacher can reach every student, faster. Tools mentioned: ChatGPT / Claude (feedback promp...

Lesson plan AI is everywhere — but is it actually helping teachers? In this episode, we explore what teachers truly need from AI lesson plan generators and why many educational technology trends miss the mark. You’ll learn how AI can support planning, differentiation, and feedback without adding more overwhelm. In this episode, we cover: Why many AI lesson plan generators fall shortWhat teachers actually need from lesson plan AIHow teaching with technology can protect teacher energyPractical ...

How can AI be used in education without killing thinking? In this episode, we explore how teachers can use AI education tools responsibly — without replacing productive struggle or meaningful learning. You’ll learn how AI can support lesson planning, reflection, and feedback while keeping student thinking at the center. You’ll hear about: Why AI itself isn’t the problem — design isHow AI literacy helps teachers use tools responsiblyPractical ways AI can support teacher planningWhat resp...

What if 10 million students could tell us what keeps them engaged in math — and what pushes them away? In this episode, I sit down with veteran educator Sheila Robitaille (30 years in classrooms and administration across the U.S. and Canada, now with 3P Learning) to unpack what nearly two decades of World Maths Day participation reveals about math engagement, productive struggle, and that critical middle school-to-Algebra transition. This conversation isn’t just about a contest. It’s about what ...

Productive struggle is an essential part of effective math teaching strategies, but it only works when teachers plan intentionally for what comes next. In this episode, we explore instructional teaching strategies that help students reflect, receive feedback, and formalize learning after challenging math tasks. You’ll hear examples of teaching strategies mathematics teachers use to turn struggle into lasting understanding. Topics include: Teaching strategies that support reflection after strugg...

In this special capstone episode of The Modern Math Teacher Podcast, I’m joined by John SanGiovanni, co-author of Productive Math Struggle, for a reflective conversation on what productive struggle looks like in real classrooms—and how educators can support it intentionally. This episode wraps up our six-part Productive Math Struggle mini-series and is guided by questions shared directly from teachers I’ve been working with across my district and county. Together, we reflect on the impact of th...

Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 6: Reflecting on Productive Struggle In the final episode of our Productive Math Struggle series, we explore the power of reflection — the often-missing piece that transforms struggle into lasting learning. Grounded in research from Phillips (1987) and Sousa (2008), this episode focuses on how intentional reflection helps students make meaning of both what they learned and how they learned it. We share simple, flexible reflection routines that reinforc...

Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 5 In Part 5 of our Productive Math Struggle Series, we shift from planning to real-time classroom action: What do you actually do when students struggle? Instead of panicking, rescuing, or over-explaining (we’ve ALL been there), we walk through five high-leverage, easy-to-implement teacher moves that keep struggle productive — not painful. Using insights from Warschauer (2014), Smith & Stein’s 5 Practices, Mona Iehl, and practical classroom experie...

Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 4: Plan a Lesson with Productive Struggle In Part 4 of our Productive Math Struggle series, we dig into the HEART of rigorous math instruction: lesson planning that intentionally creates space for student thinking, sense-making, and meaningful struggle. If you’ve been craving practical, teacher-ready strategies for selecting or modifying tasks, anticipating student thinking, and balancing conceptual understanding, fluency, and application — this is you...

Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 3: Build Community for Productive Struggle In Part 3 of our Productive Math Struggle series, we’re diving into what may be the single most important ingredient of productive struggle: Community is not a “nice-to-have.” 👉 It’s the foundation that makes productive struggle possible. A math classroom community is a living, breathing ecosystem where students feel safe, valued, and supported enough to take academic risks. And when students are asked to thin...

Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 2: Foster an Identity for Productive Struggle In Part 2 of our Productive Math Struggle series, we dive into one of the most powerful — and overlooked — components of rigorous math learning: math identity. This episode explores the roots of math identity, how trauma and early experiences shape student beliefs, and the practical tools teachers can use to help every student believe, “I am a math person.” 🔑 Key Takeaways Math identity = beliefs + emotion...

Part 1 of 6 in the Productive Math Struggle Series Today we kick off our 6-part series inspired by Productive Math Struggle by John SanGiovanni, Susie Katt, and Kevin Dykema. In this episode, we unpack Action 1: VALUE the Productive Struggle — and explore why getting stuck is one of the most powerful things that can happen in your math classroom. If you’re ready to shift from “right answer math” to “thinking-first math,” this is your episode. 🧠✨ 🔑 Key Takeaways Productive struggle is on...

Ready to jump start classroom discourse in your math class in 2026? Get your students eagerly discussing math with these active teaching strategies! Enjoy this replay of: Episode #133 Active Teaching Strategies That Actually Spark Student Discussion to find out the best teaching strategies to engage your students in mathematical discourse! Inside you'll learn: ✅ Why passive instruction is killing engagement ✅ 3 go-to talk strategies you can use tomorrow ✅ Cooperative teaching strategies that b...

Middle and high school math classes benefit from classroom routines and procedures just as much as our elementary counterparts! Do your classroom routines need a reset as we head into the second half of the school year? Enjoy Episode #130- 3 Must-Have Classroom Routines That Actually Work in Secondary Math. ✅ In this episode: Why routines work better than rules 3 plug-and-play routines for entry, discourse, and group work Tips for launching these routines in the first weeks of school How to...