Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Modern Math Teacher- Teaching Strategies for High School and Middle School Math Teachers
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 204 Math Projects Don’t Have to Replace Your Curriculum | 13 oct. 2026 | 00:10:59 | |
You don’t need to find an empty week in your pacing guide to use a math project. In this episode, we’re looking at three ways projects can fit into the mathematics you’re already teaching:
Projects don’t have to replace your instruction, practice, or curriculum. Sometimes they simply give students somewhere meaningful to use the math they’re already learning. This week’s reflection: What job does the mathematics you’re teaching right now need students to do—investigate, decide, or practice? This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 203 Real isn't Relevant: What Really Matters when Teaching Math | 06 oct. 2026 | 00:13:33 | |
We hear it all the time: Make math real-world. But real-world doesn’t automatically mean relevant. In this episode, I’m sharing how one of my favorite cell phone projects slowly lost its relevance—and what it taught me about choosing contexts that actually matter to the students sitting in front of us. We’ll talk about:
Plus, I’m sharing how election data can give students a timely reason to use statistics to analyze the information they’re already encountering outside of school. This week’s reflection: Where does the math you’re teaching exist in the real world—and why might it matter to your students? This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 202 The Math Comes First: How to Keep PBL Rigorous | 29 sept. 2026 | 00:24:41 | |
“Projects sound great…but when are students actually learning the math?” That’s a fair question—and the answer isn’t simply putting more calculations into the project. In this episode, we’re talking about how to intentionally keep deep, rigorous mathematics at the center of PBL using one of my favorite project-design tools: milestones and milestone markers. Using my Wasted Space Geometry Project as an example, we’ll explore how students can use surface area, volume, modeling, constraints, and optimization to redesign product packaging—and how intentional checkpoints make their mathematical thinking visible along the way. We’ll talk about:
Milestones organize the learning journey. Milestone markers give us evidence that the learning happened. ✨Ready to design your own meaningful math PBL experience? PBL Kickstart is my $17 on-demand workshop designed to help you get started with the mathematics you already teach. Enroll in PBL Kickstart Today Reflection: If I looked only at the milestones in your project—not the final product—could I tell what mathematics you want students to learn? This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 201 No Time for PBL? How to Make Math Projects Fit Your Curriculum | 22 sept. 2026 | 00:19:48 | |
You Don’t Need Three Weeks for PBL “I’d love to do more projects…but I just don’t have time.” If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. Because somewhere along the way, we started assuming that good project-based learning has to mean a massive, multi-week project complete with research, presentations, fancy final products, and approximately 47 things for the teacher to manage. It doesn’t. In this episode of The Modern Math Teacher, we’re talking about how to right-size PBL for the mathematics, your curriculum, and the instructional time you actually have. We’ll explore the continuum from rich tasks and performance tasks to mini-projects and full PBL experiences—and why bigger doesn’t automatically mean better. I’m also sharing four practical ways to shrink a project without shrinking the mathematics.
Ready to Get Started with PBL?
This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 200 Episodes Later: I’m Not the Same Math Teacher | 15 sept. 2026 | 00:17:19 | |
Two hundred episodes ago, I thought I had a much clearer idea of what kind of math teacher I was. I was a project-based learning teacher. Since then, I’ve taught using the Modern Classrooms framework. I’ve embraced Building Thinking Classrooms. I’ve changed the way I think about mastery and assessment. Now I’m teaching with Illustrative Mathematics and falling in love with inquiry, mathematical discourse, and giving students more opportunities to make sense of mathematics together. And somewhere along the way, I realized: I don’t actually need to choose. For Episode 200 of The Modern Math Teacher, we’re taking a break from strategies, resources, and the usual back-to-school conversations to reflect on how my teaching has evolved—and why I hope it never stops evolving. I’m sharing how my relationship with EdTech has changed, why I’m increasingly interested in AI as a tool for teachers rather than something we need to put into students’ hands simply because we can, and why I no longer think being a “modern” teacher means chasing the newest thing. We’ll also talk about what hasn’t changed. PBL still has my heart. I still want students experiencing mathematics that is real, relevant, and rigorous. I just have a much bigger instructional toolbox for getting them there.
For Episode 200, I just want to hear from you. What’s something you’ve changed your mind about as a math teacher? Reply to one of my emails, find me online, or send me a message and tell me what the teacher you are today believes that the teacher you used to be didn’t. Thank you for listening, reflecting, experimenting, and learning alongside me for 200 episodes. Here’s to whatever we learn in the next 200. Until next time, keep it real! This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 199 Math Project or More Practice? Stop Making It an Either/Or | 08 sept. 2026 | 00:17:48 | |
When Should You Use Math Projects? 4 Signs a Topic Is Ready for PBL Not every math standard needs a project. Yep. I said it. Sometimes students need an authentic problem to solve, decisions to make, and an opportunity to actually USE the mathematics they're learning. And sometimes? They need practice. In this episode of The Modern Math Teacher, we're talking about how I decide which parts of my curriculum have real project potential—and which ones I'm perfectly happy teaching, practicing, and moving on from. I'm sharing four things I look for when deciding whether a topic is a good fit for a project: - Does the math have a natural real-world application? - Does it give students something meaningful to reason about or decide? - Is the content meaty enough to justify the instructional time? - Can I connect it to something my students will actually care about? We'll also talk about why real-world doesn't automatically mean relevant, why forcing every standard into a project isn't the goal, and how some of the best math projects actually have procedural practice baked right into them. Because projects and practice aren't opposites. The goal is knowing when each one is the right tool for the learning. 🎧 In this episode: - How I identify standards with strong project potential - Why modeling, interpreting, comparing, and decision-making are project green flags - When procedural practice really IS the better instructional choice - Why a real-world context isn't enough if students don't care about it - How my Spheres of Relevance help me evaluate project ideas - Why strong projects can—and should—include opportunities for practice - How to find one realistic place to start adding projects to your curriculum 🆓 RESOURCE: Project or Practice Guide Want help figuring out where projects make sense in your math curriculum? Grab my free Project or Practice Guide. I've gone through the secondary standards to help you identify which ones lend themselves naturally to projects and which ones may be better suited for practice. 👉 moorethanjustx.com/guide Ready to Design Your First PBL Unit? Once you've found the right place in your curriculum, PBL Kickstart will help you turn that idea into an actual project-based learning experience. This $17 on-demand workshop walks you through planning your first PBL unit in three simple steps—without turning your entire curriculum upside down. 👉Join the Kickstart: PBL Kickstart Until next time, keep it real! This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 198 You’re Probably Closer Than You Think | 01 sept. 2026 | 00:14:39 | |
What if creating more meaningful learning experiences in your math classroom didn’t require completely changing the way you teach? Because when teachers hear “project-based learning,” it can feel like a complete classroom makeover. Rewrite every unit. Redesign your curriculum. Stop giving direct instruction. Turn everything into a project. Nope. In this episode of The Modern Math Teacher, we’re talking about why meaningful change happens one intentional decision at a time—and why you’re probably much closer to creating the classroom you want than you think. I’m sharing how my own classroom evolved through years of small changes in questioning, discussion, assessment, collaboration, relevance, and instructional design before project-based learning became one powerful piece of that bigger picture. And most importantly, we’re taking the pressure off becoming a “PBL teacher.” You don’t need projects everywhere. You need to find one place where students could move from knowing how to DO the mathematics to actually USING the mathematics.
If you love the idea of project-based learning but don’t want to completely overhaul your classroom, PBL Kickstart was created for you. Inside this $17 on-demand workshop, I’ll help you take mathematics you’re already teaching and begin turning it into a real, relevant, rigorous project-based learning experience. You don’t need to redesign your entire curriculum. You need one good place to start.
Where in your curriculum are students currently learning how to DO the math—but could have an opportunity to actually USE it? This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 197 Stop Planning Lessons. Start Designing Learning Experiences. | 27 août 2026 | 00:13:13 | |
What if the biggest shift you could make this school year wasn't changing your curriculum—but changing the way you think about planning? In this episode, I share the mindset shift that has transformed my classroom. Instead of asking, "What activity should I do?" I now start with a much different question: "What experience do I want my students to have?" We'll explore how this simple change impacts every instructional decision, why meaningful learning experiences don't have to be elaborate, and how intentional planning can make mathematics more memorable for your students.
🎁 Free Resource Download the Gold Standard Project Planner: 👉 https://moorethanjustx.com/projectplanner This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 196 So...What Is a Modern Math Teacher? | 25 août 2026 | 00:12:20 | |
Being a Modern Math Teacher isn't about using the newest technology or following every educational trend. It's about intentionally designing learning experiences that help every student think deeply, feel like they belong, and see themselves as capable mathematicians. In this episode, I reflect on five beliefs that have transformed my own classroom and explain why becoming a Modern Math Teacher isn't a destination—it's an ongoing journey of intentional growth.
🎁 Free Resource Download the Gold Standard Project Planner: 👉 https://moorethanjustx.com/projectplanner This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 195 Your Curriculum Isn't the Problem | 20 août 2026 | 00:13:32 | |
Have you ever felt like your curriculum was holding you back? You're not alone—but what if the curriculum isn't actually the problem? In this episode, I share how my perspective on curriculum has evolved and why I no longer believe great teaching comes from finding the "perfect" textbook. Instead, I explain how small, intentional instructional decisions can transform the learning experience for your students. Whether you teach Illustrative Mathematics, CPM, Reveal, Carnegie, Big Ideas, Eureka, or another curriculum entirely, this episode will help you see your role as more than someone who delivers lessons—you are the designer of your students' mathematical experience.
🎁 Free Resource Download the Gold Standard Project Planner: 👉 https://moorethanjustx.com/projectplanner This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 194 Stop Trying to Be the Pinterest Teacher | 18 août 2026 | 00:13:14 | |
Have you ever felt like every lesson has to be bigger, better, and more engaging than the last? I know I have. In this episode, I share how I fell into the trap of trying to create extraordinary lessons every day—and why shifting my focus to sustainable teaching practices completely changed my classroom. We'll talk about routines, instructional systems, decision fatigue, and why consistency often has a greater impact on student learning than constant novelty.
🎁 Free Resource Download the Project or Practice Guide: 👉 https://moorethanjustx.com/guide This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 193 The Biggest Lie We've Been Told About Rigor | 13 août 2026 | 00:14:36 | |
For years, I believed rigorous math instruction meant harder problems, longer assignments, and more work. I don't believe that anymore. In this episode, I share how my definition of rigor has changed, why cognitive demand isn't the same thing as difficulty, and how I intentionally design lessons that promote deeper mathematical thinking without overwhelming students. We'll also explore how routines like Math Wars can move beyond procedural practice by creating opportunities for students to justify, critique, compare, and defend mathematical reasoning.
🎁 Free Resource Download the Project or Practice Guide: 👉 https://moorethanjustx.com/guide This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 192 Your First Five Days Matter More Than Your Next Five Months | 11 août 2026 | 00:13:10 | |
The first week of school isn't just about procedures, seating charts, and syllabus review. It's when students begin forming beliefs about what mathematics feels like—and who they believe they are as mathematicians. In this episode, I share how my thinking about the first week has changed over the years, why students walk into our classrooms carrying mathematical identities, and how we can intentionally design experiences that foster confidence, curiosity, and belonging from day one.
🎁 Free Resource Download the Gold Standard Project Planner and start designing intentional learning experiences: 👉 https://moorethanjustx.com/projectplanner This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 191 When My Favorite Math Project Stopped Working | 06 août 2026 | 00:14:57 | |
One of my favorite classroom projects completely stopped working—and it ended up becoming one of the most important lessons of my teaching career. In this episode, I share the story of a once-successful cell phone plan project that unexpectedly fell flat and how it completely changed the way I think about designing meaningful mathematics. We'll explore why real and relevant aren't always the same thing, how I adapt lessons from Illustrative Math without reinventing the curriculum, and why sometimes the most meaningful part of a lesson isn't the context at all—it's the mathematical thinking.
Wondering whether a lesson should become a project or stay focused practice? Download my free Project or Practice Guide: 👉 https://moorethanjustx.com/guide If you enjoyed today's episode, I'd love for you to subscribe and share it with another math teacher who's passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| Just-in-Time Math Intervention with Juliana Tapper | 04 août 2026 | 00:52:24 | |
What if math intervention didn’t mean going back three grade levels and trying to fill every gap a student has before they’re allowed to move forward? In this episode of The Modern Math Teacher, I’m joined by my friend and math intervention expert Juliana Tapper, author of Teaching 6–12 Math Intervention: A Practical Framework to Engage Students Who Struggle, to talk about a different approach: just-in-time intervention. And selfishly? I had questions. This year I’m teaching an Algebra 1 Pro Lab designed to help students succeed in their grade-level Algebra 1 class, so I asked Juliana to help me think through what that class could actually look like. One of my biggest takeaways was Juliana’s staircase approach to intervention. Start with the grade-level skill students need—that’s the top of the staircase. Then ask: What do they need to know immediately before they can do that? And what do they need before that? Keep stepping backward until you’ve identified the essential prerequisite skills students actually need. Instead of trying to fix every gap from the past, we can strategically build the staircase students need to reach the mathematics in front of them. We also talk about:
If you teach students who have unfinished learning, this conversation is packed with practical ways to support what they need without lowering the expectations for where they're going.
Learn more about Juliana, her intervention resources, and her work with secondary math teachers at CollaboratEd with Juliana. Pick up a copy of Teaching 6–12 Math Intervention: A Practical Framework to Engage Students Who Struggle and check out the free companion resources for the book. You can also find Juliana on Instagram at @collaborated.with.juliana. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| What Happens When the Math Teacher Needs Math Therapy? with Vanessa Vakharia | 30 juil. 2026 | 00:32:43 | |
We spent the summer reading Math Therapy together—and now we’re sitting down with the author herself, Vanessa Vakharia, to talk about what happens when we take these ideas off the page and into our classrooms. And, apparently, what happens when the math teacher needs a little Math Therapy of her own. In this conversation, Vanessa and I start by talking about how Math Therapy has almost become a co-creation. The book may be published, but the work keeps evolving as teachers take these ideas, adapt them, and make them their own. It's one of the reasons we both love podcasting: our thinking doesn't have to stop just because the book—or an episode—is finished. Then Vanessa turns the tables on me as I outed myself as someone who didn’t think she had trauma but most definitely did. We unpack one of the experiences I've shared throughout this series: my infamous Honors Geometry polyhedron project and the impact that one experience had on my own mathematical identity. That leads us into a fascinating conversation about what it means to be "honors," why those labels carry so much weight, and why even experienced math teachers can feel anxious about teaching certain courses. (Hello, Honors Algebra 2.) But we don't stop with what happens inside school. We also dig into some of the cultural messages our students are receiving right now—from TikTok trends that make crying in math class part of the joke to shirts with messages like "I'm too pretty to do math." So what the heck are we supposed to do when our students walk into class carrying all of that with them? Vanessa shares practical ways we can provide the just-in-time Math Therapy our students need and gives us questions we can start asking immediately.
Math Therapy isn't something we "do" to students. It's an ongoing conversation. It's something students and teachers create together—and it will look different in every classroom because our students, experiences, and teaching styles are different. The goal isn't to perfectly implement someone else's version of Math Therapy. It's to notice the messages students are receiving about who gets to be good at math and intentionally create experiences that help them write a different story.
What message about math do you think your students most need help unlearning this year? Come share your biggest takeaway from my conversation with Vanessa inside The Modern Math Teacher community.
📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6 And remember: you don't need to implement everything. ✨LEAVE A REVIEW FOR VANESSA IF YOU HAVE GRABBED YOUR BOOK ALREADY!✨ Take what resonates. Make it yours. Start somewhere. Because math is Moore than just solving for X. Keep it real.
Catch Vanessa’s weekly podcast: Math Therapy on your favorite podcast player and connect with her on instagram @themathguru. Looking to connect with other teachers doing math therapy? Join her facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1FPDrA2KeN/ This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 188 You Don't Have to Become a Different Teacher | 28 juil. 2026 | 00:07:12 | |
After four weeks of reading Math Therapy together, we've reached the final chapter—and it ends with a powerful reminder. You don't have to become a different teacher. You simply have to become a more intentional version of the teacher you already are. In this episode, I reflect on the biggest lessons from the book, how my own classroom plans have evolved, and why helping students build healthier relationships with mathematics is a journey we'll continue taking alongside them.
✨ Why professional learning begins with believing something can improve ✨ Teaching as a journey rather than a destination ✨ Why every teacher's version of Math Therapy should be unique ✨ How my Geometry Proficiency Lab has evolved because of this book ✨ Teaching authentically and in alignment with your beliefs ✨ The connection between Math Therapy and Mel Robbins' "Let Them" philosophy ✨ Why one intentional change can have a lasting impact
You don't have to implement every idea. You don't have to transform your classroom overnight. Choose one meaningful change. Implement it intentionally. Then continue growing alongside your students.
Ask yourself:
Join us inside the Facebook group and share: ✨ The one strategy you're taking into your classroom this year. ✨ One way you'll intentionally help students build a healthier relationship with mathematics. Let's celebrate the beginning of a new school year together.
📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6 🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D Even though we've reached the end of the book study, it's never too late to read Math Therapy and reflect on how these ideas can strengthen your own classroom.
I'm thrilled to welcome Vanessa Vakharia to the podcast! We'll reflect on the book together, discuss the ideas that challenged me the most, answer listener questions, and explore how teachers can continue building classrooms where students develop healthier relationships with mathematics. I can't wait for you to hear our conversation. Until then, remember that math is Moore than just solving for X. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 187 Does Your Grading System Match Your Growth Mindset? | 23 juil. 2026 | 00:12:21 | |
We often tell students: "Progress matters more than perfection." But does our assessment system communicate the same message? In this episode, we're continuing our Math Therapy summer book study with Chapter 7, where Vanessa Vakharia explores the connection between assessment, growth mindset, and mathematical identity. This chapter challenged me to reflect on my own grading practices, my experience with competency-based learning, and the conversations my department is currently having as we continue implementing our new curriculum.
✨ Why assessment communicates more than grades ✨ My journey from competency-based grading to teaching within a traditional grading system ✨ The difference between formative and summative assessment ✨ Why reassessment should reflect new learning—not simply offer another attempt ✨ Connecting "progress over perfection" to grading practices ✨ SMART goals that focus on habits, confidence, and growth ✨ Breaking learning into "dopamine bites" ✨ A student progress tracker I'm building for Geometry Proficiency Lab ✨ Helping students collect evidence of their own growth
Assessment isn't just about measuring what students know. It's about communicating what we believe learning looks like. When our grading practices align with our beliefs about growth, students receive a much more consistent message about what it means to learn mathematics.
Ask yourself:
Join us inside the Facebook group and share: ✨ One assessment practice that helps students recognize their own progress. ✨ One way you intentionally celebrate growth before the final unit assessment. Let's build a collection of ideas that help students see learning as a process rather than a single performance.
📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6 🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D There's still time to join our summer book study!
Next week we'll continue exploring Math Therapy as we move into the final chapters and begin bringing together the big ideas we've explored throughout the series. Until then, keep reflecting, keep growing, and remember that math is Moore than just solving for X. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 186 Rewrite the Story. Rewire the Brain. | 21 juil. 2026 | 00:10:00 | |
How do students begin to see themselves differently in mathematics? In this episode, we're continuing our Math Therapy summer book study with Chapter 6: Makeover. This chapter may be the most personal one yet. It challenged me to reflect on my own math story and reminded me that students don't simply need better grades—they need opportunities to build a healthier mathematical identity. I also share one of my favorite implementation ideas from the book: helping students create a Math-o-GRAPHy, where they graph the highs and lows of their mathematical journey and later use those graphs as authentic mathematical data.
✨ What math identity really means ✨ Why rewriting our math story helps rewire our brain ✨ My personal math journey—from Mathlete to math teacher ✨ How teachers shape students' mathematical identities ✨ The influence of media on students' beliefs about math ✨ Why I interpreted Mean Girls a little differently ✨ The Math Story Makeover activity ✨ Using Math-o-GRAPHy to connect SEL and authentic mathematics ✨ Why identity—not ability—is often what changes most
Students don't become different mathematicians because we tell them they're capable. They become different mathematicians because they accumulate evidence that they are capable. Every reflection. Every productive struggle. Every meaningful success. Every encouraging conversation. Those experiences help students rewrite their story—and ultimately rewire how they see themselves.
Ask yourself:
Join us inside the Facebook group and share: ✨ One moment from your own math story that shaped the teacher you've become. ✨ One classroom experience that helps students build a healthier relationship with mathematics. Let's collect ideas that help students rewrite their stories one experience at a time.
📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6 🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D There's still plenty of time to join our summer book study!
We'll continue exploring Math Therapy and discover another practical toolkit for helping students build confidence, resilience, and lasting mathematical identities. Until then, keep reflecting, keep growing, and remember that math is Moore than just solving for X. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 185 Students Aren't Asking "When Will I Use This?" They're Asking "Why Should I Care?" | 16 juil. 2026 | 00:10:23 | |
What if we've been answering one of our students' most common questions the wrong way? When students ask: "When am I ever going to use this?" they're often not asking about future careers. They're asking something much deeper: "Why should I care?" In this episode, we're continuing our summer Math Therapy book study with Chapter 5: Motivate, and exploring how relevance, purpose, and meaningful feedback can transform student motivation.
✨ Why motivation begins with meaning ✨ The difference between real and relevant mathematics ✨ Why transferable skills matter just as much as content standards ✨ Redefining mathematics as reasoning, problem solving, communication, and critical thinking ✨ Redefining success and failure through a growth mindset lens ✨ Lessons from Meet the Robinsons and The Magic School Bus ✨ Why accountability partners aren't just for students—they're for teachers too ✨ How my National Board journey reshaped the way I think about student feedback ✨ Why specific feedback builds self-efficacy and motivation
Students don't always need another real-world application. Sometimes they simply need to understand who they're becoming because they're learning mathematics. Purpose fuels motivation. Meaning sustains perseverance.
Ask yourself:
Join us inside the Facebook group and share: ✨ One way you help students discover the purpose behind mathematics. ✨ One strategy you use to build intrinsic motivation without relying on rewards, points, or grades. Let's continue learning from one another as we prepare for a new school year.
📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6 🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D It's not too late to join our summer book study!
We'll continue working through the Math Therapy framework and explore another practical toolkit for helping students build healthier, more confident relationships with mathematics. Until then, keep reflecting, keep learning, and remember that math is Moore than just solving for X. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 184 We Don't Need to Lower Expectations. We Need to Lower the Threat. | 14 juil. 2026 | 00:13:29 | |
How do we create a classroom where students feel safe enough to struggle? In this episode, we're continuing our summer Math Therapy book study with Chapter 4: Moderate. This chapter challenged me to rethink the difference between mathematical challenge and emotional threat. Productive struggle is an essential part of learning mathematics—but unnecessary fear, embarrassment, and fixed labels can prevent students from ever engaging in that struggle. I also share some of my own math stories and how they're influencing the way I'm designing my Geometry Proficiency Lab this year.
✨ The three meanings of "moderate" in the Math Therapy framework ✨ Why moderating math anxiety is both proactive and reactive ✨ My own experiences with math trauma in Honors Geometry and Linear Algebra ✨ Why students should revisit and rewrite their math stories ✨ Wrestling with the balance between cold calling and psychological safety ✨ The impact of labels like "honors" and "intervention" ✨ The Believe → Behave → Become framework for changing mathematical identity ✨ Why teacher language matters ✨ Choosing math therapy practices that fit your authentic teaching style ✨ My favorite implementation idea: a Math Therapy Classroom Agreement
We don't help students by lowering expectations. We help students by intentionally creating classrooms where they feel safe enough to meet high expectations. Psychological safety isn't the opposite of rigor. It's often what makes rigor possible.
Ask yourself:
Head over to the Facebook group and share: ✨ One classroom routine you already use that helps students feel psychologically safe. ✨ One idea from Chapter 4 that you're planning to implement this school year. Let's build a collection of strategies that help students experience productive struggle without unnecessary fear.
📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6 🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D It's never too late to jump into our summer book study!
Next we'll continue exploring the Math Therapy framework and unpack the next step in helping students build healthier relationships with mathematics. Until then, keep reflecting, keep learning, and remember that math is Moore than just solving for X. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 183 Mythbusting the Biggest Lies Students Believe About Math | 09 juil. 2026 | 00:11:38 | |
What does it actually mean to be good at math? If you asked your students that question, what would they say? In this episode, we're continuing our summer book study of Math Therapy by Vanessa Vakharia and diving into Chapter 3: Mythbust. While growth mindset may not be the educational buzzword it once was, the ideas behind it remain incredibly important. Students cannot build a healthier relationship with mathematics if they continue believing unhealthy myths about themselves. This episode explores how teachers can help students challenge limiting beliefs, collect evidence of growth, and begin rewriting their mathematical identities.
✨ Why growth mindset still matters ✨ The difference between telling students they can grow and helping them experience growth ✨ What it really means to be good at math ✨ Why productive struggle is essential for building confidence ✨ How the Reticular Activating System (RAS) influences what students notice ✨ The role of relevance in learning mathematics ✨ Reflection, journaling, and Favorite Mistakes as tools for growth ✨ Why evidence—not encouragement alone—changes beliefs
Students don't develop a growth mindset because we tell them to. Students develop a growth mindset because they experience growth. Productive struggle leads to success. Success creates evidence. Evidence shapes beliefs. Beliefs influence identity. And identity drives behavior.
Consider these questions:
This week, intentionally notice something. It could be:
Then head into our Facebook group and share what you discovered. I'd also love to hear your answer to this question: What does it mean to be good at math?
📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6 🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D It's not too late to join the book study!
Next week we'll explore the second of the Five Ms: Moderate and discuss how we can intentionally create classrooms that help reduce math anxiety while increasing belonging, confidence, and trust. Until then, keep reflecting, keep learning, and remember that math is Moore than just solving for X. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 182 What Is Math Therapy? (And Why You're Probably Already Doing It) | 07 juil. 2026 | 00:12:35 | |
Welcome back to our summer Math Therapy book study series! This week we're discussing Chapter 2 and exploring a question many teachers may be asking: What exactly is math therapy? One of the biggest takeaways from this chapter is that math therapy isn't about becoming a licensed therapist. Instead, it's about becoming more intentional about the human side of mathematics. As teachers, we already help students:
Math therapy simply gives us a framework for doing that work more intentionally.
What if the first two weeks of school weren't just about procedures and review? What if they were also about helping students build a healthier relationship with mathematics? This question is shaping much of my planning for Geometry Proficiency Lab and may be one of the most impactful ideas from the chapter.
Consider these questions:
Join us inside the Facebook group and share:
Let's learn from each other as we prepare for a new school year.
📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6 🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D
We'll begin exploring the first of the Five Ms:
We'll discuss growth mindset, identity, math autobiographies, journaling, and how students can begin rewriting the stories they've been telling themselves about mathematics. Until then, keep reflecting, keep learning, and remember that math is Moore than just solving for X. 🎙️📐 This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 181 Math Trauma, Teen Talk Barbie, and the Myth of the "Math Person" | 02 juil. 2026 | 00:09:55 | |
This week, we're kicking off our summer book study of Math Therapy by Vanessa Vakharia. Rather than providing a chapter-by-chapter summary, this series is designed as a conversation around the ideas that resonate most, the questions they raise, and how they might influence our classroom practices. In Chapter 1, one idea kept surfacing again and again: The stories we tell ourselves about mathematics matter. From cultural stereotypes and family messaging to our own classroom experiences, students often arrive carrying beliefs about who they are as math learners long before we ever meet them.
Consider these questions:
This week, start noticing how mathematics is portrayed in everyday life. Look for examples in:
Then share your observations inside our Facebook group. Let's see what patterns emerge when we start paying attention to the messages surrounding mathematics.
📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6 🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D
We'll dive into Chapter 2 and begin exploring what math therapy actually looks like in practice—and why it might matter more than we realize. Until next time, keep reflecting, keep learning, and remember that math is Moore than just solving for X. 🎙️📐 This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 180 Listener Q&A: PBL, Building Thinking Classrooms, Real-World Data & More! | 30 juin 2026 | 00:15:16 | |
You asked, I answered! In this special Listener Q&A episode of The Modern Math Teacher, I'm tackling some of your biggest questions about project-based learning, Building Thinking Classrooms, real-world math connections, and professional learning. Whether you're just getting started with PBL or looking for new ways to make your math classroom more engaging, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can use right away.
Join us for our July Math Therapy Book Study! 📖 Physical Book 🎧 Audiobook
What's one question about your teaching you've been avoiding because you thought you "should already know the answer?" Sometimes the best professional growth starts with asking better questions. Until next time, keep it real. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 179 Why Support Doesn't Lower Rigor in Math Class | 25 juin 2026 | 00:07:25 | |
Struggle Is Learning. Drowning Is Not. One of the biggest lessons I've learned this year is that not all struggle is productive. As math teachers, we want students to wrestle with ideas, persevere through challenges, and make sense of mathematics. But there's a fine line between productive struggle and overwhelming frustration. In this episode, we're exploring what productive struggle actually looks like, why support and rigor aren't opposites, and how to challenge students without leaving them stranded. Because struggle is learning. Drowning is not.
✨ Productive struggle is essential for deep learning ✨ Support and rigor work together—not against each other ✨ Good teaching requires knowing when to step in and when to step back ✨ The same task can feel very different to different students ✨ Student confidence and math identity influence how struggle is experienced
Want help creating meaningful learning experiences that balance rigor, engagement, and student thinking? 👉 Grab the free guide:
Next week, we're kicking off our July Math Therapy book study! We'll be exploring:
Grab your copy and read along with us: 📖 Physical Book: 🎧 Audiobook:
Think about a student who struggled this year. Did they need more challenge? Or did they need more support? And how do you know the difference?
Next week, we begin our Math Therapy summer book study by exploring why so many students believe they're "bad at math"—and what we can do about it. Until next time, keep it real. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 178 Should Honors Math Be Different? Here's What I'm Wrestling With | 23 juin 2026 | 00:08:54 | |
After more than 15 years in the classroom, I'm about to do something new: Teach Honors Algebra 2 and Grade-Level Algebra 2 at the same time. And honestly? I'm still figuring out what that should look like. In this episode, I'm sharing the questions I've been wrestling with as I prepare for next year—from rigor and procedural fluency to pacing, grading, and what should actually be different in an honors classroom. Because I don't think honors students need more work. I think they need meaningful opportunities to think more deeply.
✨ Honors students deserve deeper thinking—not just more assignments ✨ High expectations and strong support should exist in every math classroom ✨ Procedural fluency may matter differently for students on advanced math pathways ✨ Some of the best professional growth comes from asking better questions ✨ Being an experienced teacher doesn't mean you stop learning
Want help deciding when to use projects, performance tasks, or practice in your math classroom? 👉 Grab the free guide:
This July, we'll be reading Math Therapy together and discussing:
Grab your copy and read along with us: 📖 Physical Book: 🎧 Audiobook:
If you teach honors students, what should be different—and what should stay exactly the same? And if you don't teach honors? How do you challenge students without simply giving them more work?
Next up, we're wrapping up our June Poolside PD series by talking about productive struggle, rigor, and how to support students without rescuing them. Until next time, keep it real. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 177 The Best Technology in Math Class Isn't Always New Technology | 18 juin 2026 | 00:12:31 | |
Are we using technology because it improves learning—or because it's available? After reflecting on student engagement, Chromebook fatigue, and intentional lesson design, I've been rethinking how technology fits into my math classroom. And the more I think about it, the more I realize: 👉 The goal isn't more technology. 👉 The goal is better technology. In this episode, I'm sharing how my thinking has evolved, the tools I'm keeping, the tools I'm rethinking, and how frameworks like TPACK and SAMR are helping me make more intentional instructional decisions.
✨ Learning goals should drive technology decisions ✨ Not every lesson needs a screen ✨ TPACK and SAMR help us ask better questions about technology use ✨ The best technology isn't always the newest technology
👉 Grab the free guide:
This July, we'll be reading Math Therapy together on the podcast. We'll explore:
Grab your copy and read along with us: 📖 Physical Book: 🎧 Audiobook:
If you removed every piece of technology from tomorrow's lesson, what learning would be lost? And what learning might actually improve?
Next up, I'm sharing what I'm still figuring out about teaching Honors Math—including rigor, procedural fluency, pacing, and how to challenge students without overwhelming them. Until next time, keep it real. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 176 The Digital Delusion: Why I'm Rethinking Technology in Math Class | 16 juin 2026 | 00:11:26 | |
Technology isn't going away. But that doesn't mean we should use it for everything. After years of integrating digital tools into my math classroom, I've found myself asking a different question: 👉 Not "Should we use technology?" 👉 But "When should we use technology?" In this episode, I'm reflecting on student device use, Chromebook fatigue, productive struggle, and why I'm becoming more intentional about when—and how—technology shows up in my classroom.
✨ More technology does not automatically create better learning ✨ Productive struggle is harder when students have constant escape routes ✨ The best tech decisions start with learning goals, not the tool ✨ Intentional technology use is different from technology dependence
👉 Grab the free guide:
We'll explore:
Grab your copy and read along with us: 📖 Physical Book: 🎧 Audiobook:
Next up, we're talking about the role of calculators, AI, feedback tools, and why the best technology in math class isn't always the newest technology. Until next time, keep it real. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 175 Why Every Math Teacher Should Study Above and Below Their Grade Level | 11 juin 2026 | 00:09:41 | |
One of the best things that ever happened to me as a math teacher was teaching multiple grade levels. Because the more I taught Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, and intervention classes together… the more I realized: 👉 Math is one connected story. In this episode, we’re talking about:
✨ Understanding future concepts changes what we emphasize now ✨ Strong instruction connects prior knowledge to future learning ✨ Deep content understanding leads to more intentional teaching
Want help creating more meaningful and intentional math experiences? 👉 Grab the free guide:
Grab the book here: 📖 Physical book: 🎧 Audiobook:
Next up, we’re diving into technology in the math classroom, Chromebook fatigue, and why I’m rethinking what intentional tech integration actually looks like This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 174 The Math Concepts I Finally Understand More Deeply as a Teacher | 09 juin 2026 | 00:11:16 | |
Can I admit something? There are math concepts I taught for years that I didn’t fully understand conceptually myself. I could teach the procedure. In this episode, I’m reflecting on the math ideas I’ve come to understand more deeply as a teacher—and how that deeper understanding has completely changed my instruction.
✨ Memorizing procedures is not the same as making sense of mathematics ✨ Deep conceptual understanding changes the way we teach ✨ Students struggle with abstract concepts because they are abstract ✨ Seeing the “big picture” of mathematics makes instruction more intentional
Want help creating more meaningful math experiences in your classroom? 👉 Grab the free guide:
We’ll be reading Math Therapy together this July and discussing:
Grab the book here: 📖 Physical book: 🎧 Audiobook: This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 173 Why Teaching the Same Lesson Five Times Never Actually Works | 04 juin 2026 | 00:09:06 | |
Ever had one class LOVE a lesson… and another class completely flop with the exact same activity? Same teacher. This year completely changed the way I think about differentiation, responsiveness, and what intentional teaching actually looks like in a real math classroom. In this episode, we’re talking about:
✨ Responsive teaching is not lowering expectations ✨ Different classes need different supports, pacing, and structures ✨ Student engagement is deeply connected to confidence and belonging
Want help deciding when to use projects, performance tasks, or practice in your math classroom? 👉 Grab the free guide:
We’ll be reading Math Therapy together in July and discussing how math identity, confidence, and emotional experiences shape learning. Grab the book here: 📖 Physical book: 🎧 Audiobook:
Next up, we’re talking about the math concepts I finally understand more deeply as a teacher—and how deepening my own conceptual understanding changed my instruction. Until next time, keep it real. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 172 Why I Stopped Winging It as a Math Teacher This Year | 02 juin 2026 | 00:14:47 | |
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.
✨ Differentiation can happen class-to-class, not just student-to-student ✨ Strong math instruction balances rigor with support ✨ Deepening your own conceptual understanding changes how you teach
Trying to think more intentionally about when to use projects, performance tasks, or practice in your math classroom? 👉 Grab the free guide:
Next up, we’re diving into why teaching the same lesson five times never actually works—and what responsive teaching can look like in a real math classroom. Until next time, keep it real. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 171 Turn Any Math Lesson Into a Real-World Experience (In About 15 Minutes) | 26 mai 2026 | 00:08:18 | |
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.
✨ Strong lessons are real, relevant, and rigorous ✨ Small design shifts can dramatically improve engagement ✨ You can redesign a lesson in about 15 minutes with a clear process
Not sure when to use projects vs. practice in your math classroom? 👉 Grab the free guide: A simple way to make confident instructional decisions—without adding more to your plate. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 170 You Don’t Have Time for This… Or Do You? (3 Biggest Myths About Real-World Math) | 19 mai 2026 | 00:10:15 | |
Think you don’t have time for projects? 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.
✨ You don’t need more time—you need a more intentional approach ✨ Your curriculum can support real-world math (you don’t have to replace it) ✨ Students rise to the level of the opportunities you give them ✨ Start small—15–20 minutes at a time is enough to begin
Not sure when to use projects vs. practice in your math classroom? 👉 Grab the free guide: A simple way to make confident instructional decisions—without adding more to your plate. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 169 You Don’t Need a Full PBL Unit—Start With This Instead | 12 mai 2026 | 00:09:23 | |
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.
✨ You don’t need a full PBL unit to create meaningful math experiences ✨ Small, well-designed project pieces can be just as powerful ✨ Strong tasks are real, relevant, and rigorous ✨ Start with the math, then build the experience around it
Not sure when to use a project vs. when to stick with practice? 👉 Grab the free guide: This will help you make intentional decisions without adding more to your plate. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 168 Why Most Math Projects Don’t Work (And How to Fix Them | 05 mai 2026 | 00:12:08 | |
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.
✨ Key Takeaways
👉 Grab the free guide: This will help you make intentional decisions without adding more to your already full plate This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| What Actually Makes a Math Lesson “Real-World”? (It’s Not What You Think) | 28 avr. 2026 | 00:08:07 | |
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.
This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| The Difference Between Fun Math and Meaningful Math | 22 avr. 2026 | 00:09:43 | |
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.
Download here: This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 165 Why Students Keep Asking “When Will I Ever Use This?” (And What That’s Really Telling You) | 14 avr. 2026 | 00:10:19 | |
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.
Download here: https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 164 You’re Not Boring—Your Math Lessons Might Be | 07 avr. 2026 | 00:06:29 | |
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.
✨ Why engagement ≠ entertainment Engagement comes from meaning, not energy. Start by asking:
Not sure when to use real-world projects vs. skill-based practice? 👉 Grab the free guide: https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice A simple way to start making your math lessons more engaging—without adding more to your plate. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| #163 What AI Is Revealing About Our Classrooms (And Why Students Are Using It) | 31 mars 2026 | 00:36:49 | |
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 working with students and families and brings a relationship-based perspective to how students learn and develop. Together, we explore what the rise of AI in education may actually be revealing about our current system. Instead of focusing only on the technology itself, we dig into deeper questions:
For math teachers and classroom educators, this conversation also raises an important challenge: if technology can generate answers instantly, how do we design learning experiences that still prioritize reasoning, problem solving, and human connection? This episode offers a thoughtful perspective on the future of learning and the skills students need most in an AI-driven world.
Connect with Aron: https://www.instagram.com/aron_boxer_official_des/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/aronboxer/ This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 162 AI Feedback That Actually Reaches Students (Before It's Too Late) | 24 mars 2026 | 00:15:32 | |
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:
This week's challenge: Pick one tool and try it on your next assignment. 📲 Share what you tried: @moorethanjustx on Instagram 🌐 moorethanjustx.com Sign up for Kristen's LAST AI in Math Education session with the Bureau of Educational Research: APRIL 1st! https://www.ber.org/seminars/course/MAD/Using-AI-to-Increase-MATH-Learning-and-Increase-Teacher-Productivity-Grades-6-12 The Modern Math Teacher Podcast is part of the Teach Better Podcast Network. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 161 Lesson Plan AI: What Teachers need and What We Don't | 17 mars 2026 | 00:10:40 | |
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:
🎟️ Join me for a hands-on AI training with BER (March or April) where teachers actively create lessons and materials. https://www.ber.org/seminars/course/MAD/Using-AI-to-Increase-MATH-Learning-and-Increase-Teacher-Productivity-Grades-6-12
This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 160 How Can AI Be Used in Education Without Killing Thinking? | 10 mars 2026 | 00:10:04 | |
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:
🎟️ Join me for a hands-on AI training with BER (March or April) where teachers actively create lessons and materials. https://www.ber.org/seminars/course/MAD/Using-AI-to-Increase-MATH-Learning-and-Increase-Teacher-Productivity-Grades-6-12
This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| #159 What 10 Million Students + 30 Years Taught us About Math Engagement | 03 mars 2026 | 00:33:23 | |
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 happens to students’ confidence when abstraction increases — and how we can protect curiosity while raising rigor.
🔄 The Middle School Shift
➗ Why We Lose Students in Algebra
🌍 A Global Perspective on Productive Struggle + Engagement
🌍World Maths Day with Mathletics Through global participation in World Maths Day, educators have observed:
Connect with Sheila: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-robitaille-8823864b 🌍Sign Up for World Maths Day: https://www.3plearning.com/world-maths-day/ This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 158 Effective Math Teaching Strategies: What Comes After Productive Struggle? | 24 févr. 2026 | 00:14:30 | |
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:
If you want your math lessons to lead to deeper understanding—not just effort—this episode will help you close the gap. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 157 Productive Math Struggle in Practice: A Conversation with John SanGiovanni | 17 févr. 2026 | 00:36:53 | |
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 this work, common challenges teachers face, and practical ways to support student thinking, perseverance, and confidence in math.
📘 About the Guest
This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 156 Student Reflection Activities That Makes Struggle Stick | 10 févr. 2026 | 00:11:51 | |
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 reinforce productive struggle, strengthen math identity, and build habits of perseverance.
📝Mini Move of the Week 👉 Add ONE reflection prompt focused on struggle to lesson closure.
🎧 Listen here: https://modernmathteacher.buzzsprout.com/share 👩🏻🏫Become a Modern Math Teacher Member This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||
| 155 Teaching Strategies to Support Productive Struggle in Real Time | 03 févr. 2026 | 00:12:35 | |
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 experience, this episode gives you the exact moves to support student thinking without stealing the learning.
🎧 Listen here: https://modernmathteacher.buzzsprout.com/share 👩🏻🏫Become a Modern Math Teacher Member This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen:
More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! | |||