It’s likely that you as a math teacher or even your K-12 district may have been focusing on the wrong things when striving for improvement in mathematics. In this episode, Jon and Kyle dive into a common challenge many educators face: the misalignment of priorities in the math classroom. They discuss how shifting the focus from specific resources to overarching student outcomes can create a more cohesive and effective teaching strategy to improve math outcomes. You’ll learn: Learn how to refocus...
Jul 08, 2024•21 min•Ep 293•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the Make Math Moments That Matter Podcast, we dive deep into the transformative journey of Seth Boschen as he embarks on a new role leading a team of teachers in his math department. Faced with the challenge of implementing standards-based grading and integrating portfolios into his classes, Seth shares his insights and experiences that will resonate with any educator looking to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. Kyle and Jon bring their wealth of knowledge to t...
Jul 01, 2024•45 min•Ep 292•Transcript available on Metacast Are you leveraging your curriculum resources for mathematics to their fullest potential in the classroom? In today's fast-paced educational environment, teachers of math often find themselves overwhelmed with a plethora of curriculum resources, each promising to enhance student learning. However, without a deep understanding of the author's intent and the underlying goals of these resources, it's easy to misuse or underutilize them. This episode tackles a common challenge faced by...
Jun 24, 2024•20 min•Ep 291•Transcript available on Metacast Dr. Jo Boaler is here to discuss her new book "Math- ish ," where she introduces findings that advocate for viewing mathematics through a real-world lens, termed “math-ish.” This approach reshapes our perceptions of math, data, and personal capabilities. Recognizing the significance of diversity in individuals and varied learning strategies allows everyone to thrive. Whether numbers instill a sense of competence or cause anxiety varies widely among individuals. Dr. Jo Boaler, a Stanfor...
Jun 17, 2024•57 min•Ep 290•Transcript available on Metacast Are you ready to transform your math classroom by shifting the focus from grades to genuine learning? In today's educational landscape, many teachers struggle with moving away from a grade-centric approach to fostering a deeper understanding and love for mathematics in their students. In this episode we speak with high school math teacher Lori Martin about her shift from traditional teacher to Building Thinking Classroom practitioner. Stick around and you’ll learn practical strategies and i...
Jun 10, 2024•44 min•Ep 289•Transcript available on Metacast Ever wondered why traditional math education might be holding back our true potential to understand and use mathematics effectively? Conrad Wolfram, strategic director of Wolfram Research and a prominent advocate for transforming math education, joins Jon and Kyle in this episode to explore revolutionary approaches to teaching math. With a fascinating journey from a math and physics enthusiast to a leader in computation software, Conrad sheds light on how our current education system may not be ...
Jun 03, 2024•58 min•Ep 288•Transcript available on Metacast As a math coach, how do you get teachers to open up to you so you can best serve them? What purposeful questions can you put in your “back pocket” to keep the coaching alive instead of just turning the session into “show and tell” ? Listen in to this episode as we chat with first year math coach Connor Wagner from Pittsburg. Connor has had great success as a classroom teacher and coach, but sometimes struggles with how to keep the teacher reflecting and holding back on advice giving. You’ll Lear...
May 27, 2024•56 min•Ep 287•Transcript available on Metacast Do we know what we are really measuring in our math assessments? What unintended thoughts are we conveying to our students when we pass the test back? How can we as parents and math professionals navigate complex relationships between teacher, parent, and student? This episode delves into the complex dynamics of math assessment, addressing a universal concern among parents and educators about how best to support and evaluate students' understanding without creating undue pressure or conflic...
May 20, 2024•35 min•Ep 286•Transcript available on Metacast Can you see the light at the end of the tunnel? Can you feel the change that is happening in your district’s math program? Are you on the right pathway to improve math instruction and ultimately student success in your school or school district? These are all questions our guests, Michael Scott and Morgan Siler have asked themselves (and us) on their journey to transforming their math district’s math program from the inside out. Michael and Morgan are two math coordinators from Ohio and their di...
May 13, 2024•40 min•Ep 285•Transcript available on Metacast Are you ready to transform your math classroom into a hub of student engagement and participation? If you're a math teacher or educator striving to maintain sustained student engagement and lead effective, captivating lessons, this episode is crafted for you. We caught up with 2-time mentoring moment guest Jeremy Sarzana, a high school teacher in Boston. Together we dive into nuanced strategies to engage the varying level of audiences we see during our day using timing, cadence, and the art...
May 06, 2024•50 min•Ep 284•Transcript available on Metacast Are you struggling to find the perfect balance between knowing what is enough guidance and structure you need to effectively teach your grade level or course? If you’re a district leader of math programming and struggling to figure out this same balance? How much is too much hand-holding? For math educators, coaches, and administrators, the challenge often lies in equipping teachers with the right tools without overshadowing their unique teaching styles while at the same time trying to create “b...
Apr 29, 2024•34 min•Ep 283•Transcript available on Metacast How can we engage our students for the entire class with grade level content? Puzzles aligned to grade level standards is one answer. In this episode we speak with Gordon Hamilton from Mathpickle.com who designs mathematical puzzles for K-12 classrooms. Stick with us and you’ll learn How to use puzzles to teach grade level standards, how to challenge students who tend to move through problems faster than others, and why games are important for mathematical thinking. You’ll Learn: How to challeng...
Apr 22, 2024•49 min•Ep 282•Transcript available on Metacast It can feel frustrating and overwhelming and you’ll feel like you’re forced to “go back to the drawing board” when your curriculum resource is pulled away from you. What do we consider when trying to select a new curriculum resource? Are we supposed to create our own resources from scratch? As educators, we are constantly facing the challenge of adapting our teaching methods to improve student understanding and engagement. This often involves exploring new pedagogies, such as problem-based learn...
Apr 15, 2024•54 min•Ep 281•Transcript available on Metacast Each and every year, district and school mathematics leadership teams spend countless hours crafting lofty goals and monitoring plans, but struggle to state measurable improvement in effective teacher practice and student gains. If you’ve ever wondered: How can I create a pd action plan that teachers view as useful and not “just adding to their plates”? We feel like we have many of the necessary pieces, but we aren’t clear on how to put them together to form an effective math program. How can I ...
Apr 08, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep 280•Transcript available on Metacast Ever felt like you're just "sprinkling fairy dust" in your educational role without making a real impact? This Math Mentoring is for every educator leader, math coach, or math coordinator grappling with the challenge of supporting teachers making meaningful changes in their teaching methods. It delves into the real-world struggles and victories of a math consultant navigating the complexities of influencing educational practices across multiple districts. You’ll Learn: Discover pr...
Apr 01, 2024•39 min•Ep 279•Transcript available on Metacast When you shift your teaching practices from “I do, we do, you” to a problem based approach that engages students to think first you will often be led to question how you give feedback to students. In this episode we speak with Diane Hamilton, an elementary classroom teacher from Toronto Ontario. Diane has been implementing the 14 strategies from Peter Liljedahl’s book Building Thinking Classrooms and is here to dig into how to give effective feedback to her students instead of grades. Stick arou...
Mar 25, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ever wondered how to transform math class into every student's favorite subject? Join us in this episode as we dive into the world of #MathPlay with Libo Valencia, a passionate high school math teacher from New York and author who believes in shaping the future of mathematics through engaging and playful teaching strategies. Explore the transformative power of Math Play with Libo Valencia, where we unravel how this approach can instill a lasting love for mathematics in every student. Discov...
Mar 18, 2024•49 min•Ep 277•Transcript available on Metacast How can you transform your middle school classroom with problem-based lessons while overcoming personal insecurities and teaching doubts? In this mentoring moment episode we speak with Joanne Ward, a middle school teacher from Taipei Taiwan who is tackling a common challenge faced by educators: the uncertainty and lack of confidence in implementing problem-based lessons. Stick around and you’ll learn practical strategies to boost confidence in teaching with problem-based lessons. You’ll also lea...
Mar 11, 2024•43 min•Ep 276•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever wondered how to ensure your teaching actions align seamlessly with your educational philosophies? How close is your practice with your preach? In this episode we speak with Felicia Favela, a veteran 8th grade pre-algebra teacher from Phoenix Arizona who knows that in the realm of education, consistency between what we say and what we do is pivotal but still wonders how closely she’s aligned. Stick around and you’ll hear us uncover the root cause of why Felicia feels that she’s not ...
Mar 04, 2024•43 min•Ep 275•Transcript available on Metacast Are you struggling to turn your ambitious math educational goals into tangible results in your classroom or district? Have you been asking: Where should I focus the efforts of my district math pd plan for the remainder of this year and following years? This episode of "Making Math Moments That Matter" is crucial for educators and district leaders of mathematics who are seeking practical strategies to elevate the impact of their teaching and planning. By focusing on goal setting and pla...
Feb 26, 2024•46 min•Ep 274•Transcript available on Metacast Explore the often unspoken struggles that even seasoned math teachers encounter when grappling with concepts in middle and high school grades. Gain insights into the power of anecdotal assessments for both understanding students and refining your own assessment practices. Discover practical approaches to implementing standards-based grading without getting lost in individual grades, and unravel the true purpose behind assigning grades. In this Mentoring Moment episode we bring back Nicholas Rhod...
Feb 19, 2024•45 min•Ep 273•Transcript available on Metacast As educators of mathematics around the world embrace the ideas shared in Building Thinking Classrooms, more and more students are being positioned to think collaboratively during math class instead of simply mimicking steps, rules, and procedures. While this shift in mathematics teaching practice is a massive leap in the right direction, our work does not stop once students solve the thinking task at hand. Rather, the real work for the facilitator now begins. Join Peter Liljedahl, Jon Orr, and K...
Feb 12, 2024•34 min•Ep 272•Transcript available on Metacast Curious about the transformative power of leadership in mathematics education? Ever felt the challenge of aligning your strategic plan when it seems like you're constantly putting out fires? Join us in this episode where we unravel the critical importance of seeking support in leadership roles and dive into a conversation with Rob Baier, Executive Director of Mathematics and STEM at Pittsburgh Public Schools. If you're an educator navigating the complexities of coaching, consulting, or...
Feb 05, 2024•54 min•Ep 271•Transcript available on Metacast As educators of mathematics around the world embrace the ideas shared in Building Thinking Classrooms, more and more students are being positioned to think collaboratively during math class instead of simply mimicking steps, rules, and procedures. While this shift in mathematics teaching practice is a massive leap in the right direction, our work does not stop once students solve the thinking task at hand. Rather, the real work for the facilitator now begins. Join Peter Liljedahl, Jon Orr, and K...
Jan 29, 2024•38 min•Ep 270•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever wondered why creating a safe space for students in mathematics class is crucial? This episode of The Making Math Moments That Matter Podcast explores this question and unveils insights that will reshape the way you think about math education. In a world where educational equity is a pressing concern, ensuring that schools are safe places for students becomes paramount. This episode delves into the critical role of a safe environment, especially in mathematics classes. Discover how ...
Jan 22, 2024•52 min•Ep 269•Transcript available on Metacast Today we speak with Michael Finley, the academic dean for math and science at a K-12 independent school. Michael's staff is questioning their work in building thinking classrooms and how it serves high achieving students. Listen in as we brainstorm strategies to uncover micro moves and macro plans to build a classroom culture that allows a thinking classroom to emerge. This is another Math Mentoring Moment episode where we chat with a teacher like you who is working through some problems of...
Jan 15, 2024•57 min•Ep 268•Transcript available on Metacast Today we speak with Diana Worthen, a 10th grade math teacher from Denver Colorado. In our discussion we help to shake out a common pebble in an educator's shoes: How to keep students engaged during practice time. Stick around and you’ll hear why students tend to “shut down” after a teacher led lesson; how to be more targeted with your 1 on 1 support with your students; and how to structure your lessons to maximize engagement during your entire math block. This is another Math Mentoring Mome...
Jan 08, 2024•43 min•Ep 267•Transcript available on Metacast Join us for an uplifting conversation with Mike Lipnos, a middle school teacher and math coach from Ohio. In this episode Mike shares his experience and insights on helping teachers build ownership and agency for students in their mathematics classrooms. We discuss how some teacher moves ultimately shut the door on students seeking higher levels of mathematics, and how young people are thinking beings and are capable of doing high level thinking, even if a data point may say they are "low&q...
Jan 01, 2024•47 min•Ep 266•Transcript available on Metacast Join us in the latest episode as we dive into the world of mathematics education with Shayla Heavner, the visionary founder of MathBait™. With over a decade of experience and a prestigious Sarah D. Barder Fellowship Award for teaching excellence under her belt, Shayla has been on a mission to revolutionize math education. As a certified online teacher and master reviewer for Quality Matters, Shayla shares insights on the significance of quality, highly engaging material that is accessible to all...
Dec 25, 2023•41 min•Ep 265•Transcript available on Metacast In this where are they now mentoring moment episode we speak again with Adam Love; Adam joined us back on episode 120 when he was as first year teacher from Myrtle Beach South Carolina. 3 years later and a wealth of ideas, teaching strategies, and many lessons learned Adam is here to discuss how to help students show their thinking in multiple ways. This is another Math Mentoring Moment episode where we chat with a teacher like you who is working through some problems of practice and together we...
Dec 18, 2023•51 min•Ep 264•Transcript available on Metacast 
