Making Math Moments That Matter - podcast cover

Making Math Moments That Matter

Kyle Pearce & Jon Orrmakemathmoments.com

Helping you transform your K-12 math lesson plans by building confidence in effective teaching practices, guiding you to transform your math curriculum, and inspiring classroom strategies to engage all students. 

As a teacher are you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans where students don't want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? 

As a mathematics coordinator or leader are you wondering how to support teachers when implementing engaging math lessons that fuel student sense making?

Over the last 19 years, Kyle and Jon, the founders of MakeMathMoments.com have been engaging students, teachers, and district program leaders with effective mathematics pedagogy, accessible resources, and inspiring learning environments in K-12 math classrooms. 

Now, in this podcast they coach you - K-12 classroom teachers and district leaders of mathematics  through a 6 step plan that cultivates and fosters your mathematics program like a strong, healthy and balanced tree.

If you master the 6 parts of an effective mathematics program, the impact you have on students or teachers will grow and reach far and wide.

Every week, you’ll hear insight from practicing classroom teachers and leaders in math education so you’ll get the feedback, guidance, and fresh ideas you need to stop feeling overwhelmed, gain back your confidence, and inspire the students and fellow teachers you serve to enjoy the beauty of mathematics once again. 

Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180

Episodes

Math Rules That Expire: Rethinking Math Tricks & Shortcuts for Long-Term Understanding

Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units This episode explores the...

Mar 10, 202534 minEp. 353

Why Your Math PD Isn't Sticking (And What to Do About It)

Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Many math leaders face a ...

Mar 06, 202519 minEp. 352

Building Thinking Classrooms: Finding the Right Balance

Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Building Thinking Classro...

Mar 03, 202530 minEp. 351

How To Design Large-Scale PD For Math Improvement: When is it Worth the Investment?

Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units In this episode, we dive ...

Feb 27, 202530 minEp. 350

Beyond Think-Pair-Share: Practical Teaching Moves To Enhance Meaningful Mathematical Discourse

Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Discover practical instru...

Feb 24, 202530 minEp. 349

Too Many Math Initiatives, Not Enough Impact - How One District Found Focus & Results

Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units How can you create a clea...

Feb 20, 202522 minEp. 348

How To Group Students In Math Class: Similar Abilities or Mixed Abilities in Math Classrooms?

Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Should students be groupe...

Feb 17, 202537 minEp. 347

The Five-Why Framework For Decision Making in Math Leadership & Education

Are you a math leader struggling to create meaningful math improvement plans that actually make a difference in your schools? In this episode of the Making Math Moments That Matter podcast, we sit down with Blaine McInosh, a Divisional Mathematics Support Teacher from the Winnipeg School Division who has partnered with our District Improvement Program. We unpack Blaine’s journey to uncover how to move beyond surface-level plans and create authentic, sustainable growth in math classrooms. Whether...

Feb 13, 202531 minEp. 346

Hitting Refresh In Your Math Classroom: How To Create The Right Conditions For Math Success

Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units A new trimester or semest...

Feb 10, 202533 minEp. 345

How To Create Math Impact and Avoid Teacher Burnout

Schools are caught between too much pressure (think: endless monitoring, weaponized data, and stressed-out teachers) and too much support with zero urgency (a.k.a. “We’ll get to it someday”). And let’s be real—sometimes, it feels like there’s neither pressure nor support, just a vague hope that things will magically improve. In this episode, we explore the critical balance between pressure and support when implementing sustainable math improvement plans. Achieving widespread change and full adop...

Feb 06, 202529 minEp. 344

Shifting From Textbook Teacher to Responsive Teacher Through Formative Assessment

Are you struggling to help students who seem years behind their classmates catch up in math? This episode dives into a practical, step-by-step approach for using targeted, small-group instruction to close gaps quickly guided by formative assessment—so you can ensure every student feels confident and capable in your math classroom. We speak with Jacqueline Williams-Wedner, a dedicated math educator with nearly 30 years of experience teaching 3rd through 5th grade in Brooklyn and Farmingdale and c...

Feb 03, 202545 minEp. 343

It’s Not Just About the Math Curriculum: Turning Math Routines Into Real Results

Are you a K-12 math coordinator looking for ways to spark genuine, productive discourse among students and teachers instead of just “covering” the curriculum? If you’re eager to move beyond the checklists and pacing guides and ensure your teachers truly embrace strategies like student-to-student discussions, this episode will help you strengthen your role as an instructional leader and coach. You’ll learn: Uncover how to set precise goals for classroom discourse that teachers can genuinely imple...

Jan 30, 202530 minEp. 342

How To Prepare For Parent-Teacher Interviews for Math Success

Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Parent-teacher interviews...

Jan 27, 202522 minEp. 341

When to Say Goodbye: Navigating Challenging Math Coaching Relationships

As a math coach, building relationships with teachers is critical to fostering meaningful growth and collaboration. But what happens when a math coaching partnership becomes stagnant or even toxic? In this episode, we tackle the delicate topic of ending a math coaching relationship when it’s no longer productive. We'll explore signs that it’s time to move on, strategies for reflecting on what went wrong, and ways to maintain professionalism and integrity during the process. Whether you’re n...

Jan 23, 202534 min

Harnessing Feedback in Math Class: How to Make Assessment Work for You and Your Students

Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Are you looking for a mor...

Jan 20, 202550 minEp. 339

Beyond the Helper Zone: Strategies for Sustainable Math Coaching Impact

Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Its time to break free fr...

Jan 16, 202524 minEp. 338

They’re Not Engaged! What Should I Do? - A Math Mentoring Moment

Struggling to get your math students genuinely engaged and confident—without relying on the same old worksheets? In this mentoring moment episode, you’ll discover how a fellow high school teacher will restructure her lessons and rethink classroom culture to help students conquer math anxiety and develop true problem-solving skills—so you can do the same in your own classroom. Discover specific math lesson strategies to make every student feel both supported and challenged. Learn how to flip your...

Jan 13, 202536 minEp. 337

From Busywork to Results: How to Monitor What Matters in Math Improvement | Math Coaching & Support

Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Are your district improve...

Jan 09, 202533 minEp. 336

Storytelling with Data: Making Data and Numbers Come Alive in Math Class

What if we could transform how students—and even adults—view mathematics, turning graphs and data into a thrilling, creative superpower? For many educators, engaging students in math feels like a struggle, especially when it comes to making abstract concepts like data and graphs relatable. In this episode, author Cole Nussbaumer-Knaflic shares how her passion for storytelling with data bridges the gap between abstract math and real-world understanding, inspiring both kids and educators to see ma...

Jan 06, 202532 minEp. 335

How You Can Model Math Lessons Effectively for Lasting Impact

Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units As a math coach, coordina...

Jan 02, 202516 minEp. 334

How Do I Engage My Students When Teaching a Split-Level Math Class - A Math Mentoring Moment

Are you struggling to manage a math classroom with students learning at different paces while still creating engaging, equitable experiences for everyone? In this episode, we tackle the challenge of teaching split classes with staggered student groups—something many educators face in today's flexible and evolving classroom models. Whether you teach mixed-ability classes, blended learning environments, or block schedules, the strategies shared here can help you ensure no student gets left be...

Dec 30, 202435 minEp. 333

Breaking Down Barriers That Prevent Progress in Mathematics Achievement

Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Are roadblocks in your ma...

Dec 26, 202416 minEp. 332

How To Develop A Robust Math Teaching Style

Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Are you maximizing the st...

Dec 23, 202439 minEp. 331

The Math "Money Bomb" Curse – And What It’s Costing Your Schools | Math Resources Decision Making

Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Are you tired of investin...

Dec 19, 202418 minEp. 330

How To Use Tool Talks To Boost Student Agency And Sense Making in Math Class | Math Manipulatives

Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units How to help students see ...

Dec 16, 202444 minEp. 329

Is Your PD Structure Sabotaging Your Mathematics Goals? | Math Coaching & Training

Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Are your mathematics coaching strategies aligned with you...

Dec 12, 202416 minEp. 328

High School Mathematics Reimagined, Revitalized, and Relevant: An Interview with Two NCTM presidents

How can we reimagine high school math to truly prepare students for the real world? Hear from Kevin Dykema and Latrenda Knighten, two NCTM presidents, one past and one current, who are leading the charge to make math relevant, revitalized, and engaging. High school math often feels disconnected from students' futures, leaving many wondering, "Why do we need this?" This episode dives into the practical steps educators and leaders can take to transform math classrooms into spaces wh...

Dec 09, 202443 minEp. 327

Why “Doing It All” Is Hurting Your Progress For Sustainable Math Achievement

As a math coordinator or coach do you ever feel like your math improvement to-do list could double as a novel? Same here. Turns out, the secret to increased math achievement isn’t in doing more—it’s in doing less (but better). Discover why going narrow might be the key to transforming math instruction in your school(s). Many math leaders and educators struggle with setting actionable goals that truly move the needle to gain traction and achieve improved math results. This episode dives into an a...

Dec 05, 202423 minEp. 326

Why Shifting K-12 Math Instruction Feels So Hard (And What We’re Missing)

Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Do you ever feel like your school’s math improvement goal...

Dec 02, 202456 minEp. 325

How to Re-frame Support To Increase Strategy Adoption in Math | Math Coaching & Training

Why do so many professional development plans flop? Because they’re trying to fix the wrong problem. Are you struggling to get teachers on board with new strategies in their classrooms when teaching mathematics? In this episode, we tackle the disconnect between professional development initiatives in the area of math and the real challenges teachers face, breaking down why adoption often falls short and how to bridge that gap effectively. Discover the "Five Stages of Awareness" framewo...

Nov 28, 202415 minEp. 324