Episodes

Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you! 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…

Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you! 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 o…

Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you! 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. I could explain the steps. But true sense-making? That took time. In this episod…

Ever had one class LOVE a lesson… and another class completely flop with the exact same activity? Same teacher. Same lesson. Same day. This year completely changed the way I think about differentiation, responsiveness, and what intentional teaching actually looks like in a real math classroom. In t…

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 exp…

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 sc…

Think you don’t have time for projects? Feel stuck with your curriculum? Worried your students can’t handle it? Let’s talk about it. In this episode, we’re breaking down the 3 biggest myths about real-world math and project-b...

Think you need a full project-based learning unit to bring real-world math into your classroom? You don’t. In this episode, we’re breaking down how to start with smaller, meaningful project experiences—without overhauling your entire curriculum or spending hours planning. 💡 In This Episode: Why ful…

Ever tried a math project that should have worked… but didn’t? Maybe students were off task, confused, or the math just didn’t stick. 👉 You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re breaking down why many math projects fall flat—and what actually makes them work in a real classroom. 💡 In This Episode: W…

Most “real-world math” problems don’t actually feel real to students. In this episode, we break down what real-world math really means—and how to make small shifts that help students actually connect to what they’re learning. In This Episode: Why most real-world math falls flatThe difference betwee…

Not all engagement leads to learning. In this episode, we break down the difference between fun math and meaningful math—and how to start designing lessons that actually stick. In This Episode: Why “fun” doesn’t always equal learningThe 3-part framework: real, relevant, rigorousHow to improve your …

When students ask this question, it’s not about attitude. 👉 It’s about relevance. In this episode, we break down what students are really asking—and how to start making math feel more meaningful without redesigning your entire curriculum. In This Episode: Why students struggle to see the value in m…

If your students feel disengaged during math class… it’s probably not you. 👉 It’s the lesson design. In this episode, we break down why students check out—and why trying to be more “fun” isn’t the fix. Instead, we’re shifting toward what actually works: real, relevant, meaningful math. In This Epis…

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 thei...

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 come...

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 mo…

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 t…

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 ...

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 s...

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 classr...

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…

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-lev…

Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 4: Plan a Lesson with Productive Struggle In Part 4 of our Productive Math Struggle series, we dig into the HEART of rigorous math instruction: lesson planning that intentionally creates space for student thinking, sense-making, and meaningful struggle. If y…

Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 3: Build Community for Productive Struggle In Part 3 of our Productive Math Struggle series, we’re diving into what may be the single most important ingredient of productive struggle: Community is not a “nice-to-have.” 👉 It’s the foundation that makes produc…