Episodes

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: Teaching strategies that support reflection after strugg...

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 th...

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 reinforc...

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 experie...

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 you’ve been craving practical, teacher-ready strategies for selecting or modifying tasks, anticipating student thinking, and balancing conceptual understanding, fluency, and application — this is you...

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 productive struggle possible. A math classroom community is a living, breathing ecosystem where students feel safe, valued, and supported enough to take academic risks. And when students are asked to thin...

Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 2: Foster an Identity for Productive Struggle In Part 2 of our Productive Math Struggle series, we dive into one of the most powerful — and overlooked — components of rigorous math learning: math identity. This episode explores the roots of math identity, how trauma and early experiences shape student beliefs, and the practical tools teachers can use to help every student believe, “I am a math person.” 🔑 Key Takeaways Math identity = beliefs + emotion...

Part 1 of 6 in the Productive Math Struggle Series Today we kick off our 6-part series inspired by Productive Math Struggle by John SanGiovanni, Susie Katt, and Kevin Dykema. In this episode, we unpack Action 1: VALUE the Productive Struggle — and explore why getting stuck is one of the most powerful things that can happen in your math classroom. If you’re ready to shift from “right answer math” to “thinking-first math,” this is your episode. 🧠✨ 🔑 Key Takeaways Productive struggle is on...

Ready to jump start classroom discourse in your math class in 2026? Get your students eagerly discussing math with these active teaching strategies! Enjoy this replay of: Episode #133 Active Teaching Strategies That Actually Spark Student Discussion to find out the best teaching strategies to engage your students in mathematical discourse! Inside you'll learn: ✅ Why passive instruction is killing engagement ✅ 3 go-to talk strategies you can use tomorrow ✅ Cooperative teaching strategies that b...

Middle and high school math classes benefit from classroom routines and procedures just as much as our elementary counterparts! Do your classroom routines need a reset as we head into the second half of the school year? Enjoy Episode #130- 3 Must-Have Classroom Routines That Actually Work in Secondary Math. ✅ In this episode: Why routines work better than rules 3 plug-and-play routines for entry, discourse, and group work Tips for launching these routines in the first weeks of school How to...

Making the shift from teacher-led to student-centered teaching practices doesn't have to be a struggle. And you don't have to make the change to your instructional strategies alone! Enjoy Episode 132:Student-Centered Teaching in Math Class-- your favorite episode this year on creating a student-centered classroom! You’ll learn: ✅ What student-centered really means in a math class ✅ 3 small shifts to get started (no overhaul required) ✅ How structure and autonomy can coexist ...

What does student engagement really look like in a math classroom? Enjoy this replay of Episode 129: Student Engagement Strategies That Actually Work in Math Class-- your favorite episode on boosting student engagement this year! ✅ In this episode: Why boring math isn’t your fault—and why you’re not stuck thereWhat I learned from seeing problem-based math instruction in actionThe small shifts that lead to big engagement winsHow AI can help you plan student-centered lessons fasterA free guide ...

Let's make math class relevant-- and spoiler alert it's more than just adding in a few real-world math problems to your worksheet or doing a once a year hands on math project. Enjoy this replay of Episode 126: What Makes Math Feel Relevant? Isn’t it just Practical Examples of Real World Math? It's your TOP downloaded episode this year all about making math relevant! Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you! Join me for the January 2026 Book Study of Product...

The holidays are hectic—but learning doesn’t have to be. Kristen shares six classroom-tested, low-prep activities that keep math engaging when attention spans are short. You’ll learn how to: ✅ Use real-world data in a Holiday Data Challenge ✅ Turn review into a game with Rapid Review Showdown ✅ Get students moving with a Math Scavenger Hunt ✅ Launch a one-day Holiday Mini-Project ✅ Create excitement with a Math Escape Room ✅ Let students design their own questions for review 🤖 Plus AI prompts to...

Finals week doesn’t have to be a panic button. In this episode, Kristen redefines assessment as feedback, not judgment—and shares five active teaching strategies that make review week engaging, equitable, and meaningful. You’ll learn how to: ✅ Turn review into reasoning with the 3-Round Review ✅ Use an Error Hunt to target misconceptions ✅ Celebrate growth with a Final Show-and-Tell ✅ Run a Station Rotation for multiple representations ✅ Let students lead with a Teach-Back Tournament 🤖 Plus: qui...

In this episode, Kristen shares why she decided to pursue National Board Certification now—and how that lens is already reshaping daily teaching moves. You’ll hear concrete strategies you can use this week (with or without NBC): You’ll learn how to… ✅ Plan one “evidence moment” per lesson to capture real mathematical thinking ✅ Orchestrate discussions with 5 Practices (selecting & sequencing who shares) ✅ Create safe math spaces that elevate status and reduce math trauma ✅ Move from concept →...

Tired of hearing “When am I ever gonna use this?” 😩 This week, Kristen shares easy, low-prep ways to make your math lessons feel relevant and real—without turning every unit into a full-blown project. You’ll learn how to: ✅ Add real-world context to existing lessons ✅ Use AI tools to brainstorm examples and scenarios fast ✅ Let students personalize problems to increase buy-in ✅ Connect math to real-life decisions and reflection 💡 Plus, get practical AI prompts you can use right away to bring r...

Feeling stuck, bored, or burned out with traditional teaching? This episode will help you reclaim your spark with the PBL Rockstar Mindset—a powerful mindset shift that makes project based learning feel possible, empowering, and fun again. The PBL Rockstar Mindset: Reclaim Confidence, Creativity, and Joy in Math Class It’s time to stop playing small and start teaching math in a way that lights you up. This episode shares what it means to have the PBL Rockstar Mindset—and how to bring project bas...

Want to boost engagement during the fall slump or pre-holiday chaos? This episode shares real world math activities and projects that actually grab student interest—including seasonal ideas for fall and winter. This episode dives into real world math applications that connect to seasonal events like football, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the Winter Olympics. 🎯 You’ll learn: ✅ How to bring relevance into your math class during fall + winter ✅ Math project ideas for Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algeb...

Want to try mastery based grading but stuck with a traditional grading scale? In this episode, Kristen breaks down how to bring mastery into your classroom without overhauling your entire system. You’ll learn: ✅ What mastery really means (hint: it’s not perfection) ✅ How to use a 4-point rubric—even in a 100-point gradebook ✅ How to implement mastery checks and retakes without chaos ✅ Realistic, sustainable grading practices for secondary math teachers 🎧 Perfect for teachers ready to shift from...

Ready to reclaim your time and sanity this grading season? In this episode, Kristen shares her top AI tools for math teachers—including the ones she uses to write progress report comments, create rubrics, and plan faster. You’ll learn: ✅ Which AI education tools are worth your time ✅ How to use an AI lesson plan generator the right way ✅ Tools for feedback, differentiation, and progress reports ✅ When to trust AI—and when to take back control 🎧 Whether you’re AI-curious or already experimenting...

AI is already here—are your students using it responsibly? In this episode, Kristen breaks down how to write a simple but effective AI classroom policy that works in a secondary math setting. You’ll learn: ✅ What every policy should include (even if your school doesn’t have one) ✅ How to teach AI literacy without going full-on computer science ✅ Practical examples of using AI tools with students, not against them ✅ A framework for setting boundaries around AI use in your class 🎧 Don’t wait for ...

Want to bring more relevance into your math class without reinventing the wheel? This episode breaks down project-based learning lesson plan ideas you can use right now—aligned to standards and built for real-world engagement. You’ll learn: ✅ What PBL really looks like in a math class ✅ Examples of PBL lessons for linear, quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic functions ✅ How to scaffold projects for student success ✅ Easy strategies for grading and reflection 🎧 Whether you’re brand new to PBL...

Listen in as we reveal the secret to using Real-World Math Applications to Make Core Content Feel Relevant Again. Let’s face it—students want to know when they’ll actually use the math they’re learning. In this episode, Kristen shares how to make your lessons more meaningful with real world math applications—even if you’re stuck with a strict pacing guide. Inside you'll learn: ✅ Why math often feels disconnected—and how to fix it ✅ Real-world examples for algebra, exponential functions, and sys...