186 Rewrite the Story. Rewire the Brain.

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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.

In This Episode

✨ 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

Key Takeaway

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.

This Week's Reflection

Ask yourself:

• What's your own math story?
• Which teachers shaped your mathematical identity?
• What experiences made you the teacher you are today?
• If your students rewrote their math autobiography in May, what would you hope had changed?

Community Challenge

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.

Read Along With Us

📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6

🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D

There's still plenty of time to join our summer book study!

Coming Next

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:

• Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
• Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

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!

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