Blue Glasses Math

A straight-A math teacher who couldn't figure the tip, a phrase from a Boise State professor, and why the procedure will always be there to fall back on. Christina Tondevold of Build Math Minds joins Pam. Full description: Christina Tondevold, founder of Build Math Minds and the Virtual Math Summit, calls herself a recovering traditionalist. She got straight A's in math by following the ru...

Pam sits down with longtime friend Chris Ippolito, Emerging Technology Coordinator at Singapore American School, to ask what's left to teach in math class now that AI can handle the computation. They land on cognitive residue, courage, and the belief that a student can figure it out. Full episode description: A friendship across continents and decades. Pam and Chris taught at the same school a...

Short description: A tenth grade algebra classroom, a stack of blank stares, and the free tool one teacher built when he couldn't wait for a fix to arrive. Full description: Chris Roberts spent thirty years in IT before a year teaching remedial algebra changed the direction of his work. When he kept meeting students who had never automated their multiplication facts, he built What Times What,...

Cheryl Fricchione, past president of the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New Jersey, joins Pam to talk about what actually changes math teaching. Standards as a North Star, listening to what kids really say, and why a correct answer can hide broken reasoning. Full episode description: Cheryl Fricchione is a K-12 math consultant, a former middle school teacher and elementary math coach, past...

Dwight S. Williams learned math on license plates because he was bored. He makes the case that boredom is what deep thinking needs, and that our classrooms may have engineered it away. Full description: Dwight S. Williams is a math instructional leadership coach who helps schools move from compliance driven learning to cognition driven learning. His own math story starts in the back seat of his pa...

Pam sits down with Vince Galea, "The Friendly Principal," a K-8 principal in Ontario, Canada, whose leadership content has grown to over 14,000 followers in under a year. They talk about why rescuing people out of love still robs them of the chance to grow, and what it really takes to lead with both accountability and heart. Full episode description: Vince Galea is a K-8 principal in a l...

Welcome back to Blue Glasses Math for the 2026-2027 school year. Pam kicks off the new season solo, reflecting on the summer's most-discussed social post and the classroom story that inspired it. Early in her career, Pam walked into a new school, a new grade level, and a stack of shrink-wrapped "shiny red textbooks" she was expected to teach from. When her students disengaged and col...

What if the missing piece in math education isn't a strategy — it's regulation? Breathwork coach Ashlee Livingstone joins Pam Brett for a conversation about what happens when teachers and students show up depleted — and what becomes possible when we don't. Ashlee shares her own complicated math story, the science behind why survival mode shuts down our capacity to hold space, and why b...

What does it really mean to build a connected math journey — for students and for teachers? In this episode, Pam sits down with Ann Elise Record, elementary math consultant, coach, and co-author of Fluency Doesn't Just Happen series, for a conversation that is equal parts inspiring, honest, and deeply practical. Ann Elise shares her own math story: from being a memorization champion who "...

Discover how emotions influence learning in math classrooms through the lens of cognitive neuroscience. In this episode, Liesl McConchie shares groundbreaking insights on the emotional messages students carry, the importance of teachers understanding these emotional "watercolors," and practical activities to support positive math identities. Perfect for educators, parents, and officials...

In this engaging interview, Robert Kaplinsky shares his journey into math education, the power of open middle problems, and the importance of evolving teaching standards to match the rapid changes in society and technology. Discover insights on professional development, student engagement, and how to foster a growth mindset in math learning. Connect with Dr. Pam Brett: insta: @BlueGlassesMath blue...

In this episode, Dr. Lauren Fullmer discusses the intersection of social-emotional learning, equity, and mathematics education. She shares her personal math journey, insights on dyscalculia, and strategies for supporting diverse learners to foster a positive math identity. Connect with Dr. Pam Brett: insta: @BlueGlassesMath bluesky: @pambrett.bsky.social linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamel...

In this episode, Pam Brett explores the challenges and realities of digital learning, student motivation, and over-engineering education. She emphasizes the importance of curiosity, meaningful engagement, and simple, effective teaching strategies to foster genuine learning and connection. Connect with Pam:insta: @BlueGlassesMathbluesky: @pambrett.bsky.sociallinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pa...

Ted Dintersmith shares his extensive journey through math, highlighting the importance of understanding mathematical ideas over mechanics, and advocating for relevance and creativity in math education. Ted Dintersmith focuses on the urgent need to equip humans with competencies to lead purposeful lives in an age of rapidly advancing machine intelligence. He’s produced three education films that pr...

In this engaging interview, Dr. Nicki Newton shares her inspiring journey from a reluctant math learner to a passionate educator and advocate for joyful, inquiry-based math teaching. Discover her insights on fostering curiosity, the power of vulnerability in teaching, and the transformative potential of AI in education. Connect with Pam: insta: @BlueGlassesMath bluesky: @pambrett.bsky.social linke...

In this engaging interview, Marsha Familaro Enright shares her insights on Montessori education, innovative programs for young adults, and the importance of fostering reasoning, creativity, and love of learning in children and students. Discover how her programs are shaping future thinkers and why a shift in educational paradigms is essential for human development. Connect with Pam: insta: @BlueGl...

In this insightful interview, Melissa Dean, a high school teacher and author, shares her journey of reimagining assessment and learning in math classrooms. Discover how shifting assessment practices can transform student engagement, foster deeper understanding, and build a growth mindset. Connect with Pam: insta: @BlueGlassesMath bluesky: @pambrett.bsky.social linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in...

This episode features Rob Baier sharing his journey through math education, emphasizing the importance of reflection, sense-making, and authentic teaching to foster better human and mathematical understanding. Discover practical strategies for teachers to improve their practice and inspire students. Connect with Pam: insta: @BlueGlassesMath bluesky: @pambrett.bsky.social linkedin: https://www.link...

In this episode, Pam Brett discusses the often-overlooked emotional landscape in math classrooms. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing the emotions that students bring into the learning environment, as these emotions significantly impact their beliefs and engagement in math. Pam advocates for co-creation in professional development, the necessity of autonomy in learning, and...

In this episode of Blue Glasses Math, host Pam Brett welcomes Michael Kenny, the founder of Math Fact Lab, to discuss his journey in math education and the development of his innovative teaching tool. Michael shares his early experiences as a teacher, initially focusing on literacy before transitioning to math instruction. He highlights the pivotal moment when he enrolled in the Vermont Mathematic...

In this episode of Blue Glasses Math, Pam Brett welcomes Dr. Rosalyn Giallanza, a passionate educator and researcher focused on multilingual learners in mathematics. The conversation begins with a nostalgic reflection on their early professional relationship, highlighting the challenges and growth they experienced together in the classroom. Dr. Giallanza shares her journey as a multilingual learne...

In this engaging conversation, Alex Romero shares his journey in math education, influenced by his family's background in mathematics. He discusses the development of Tile Farm, a platform designed to make math beautiful and enjoyable for learners of all ages. The conversation explores the importance of joy in math education, the role of family in fostering a positive math environment, and the...

In this episode of the Blue Glasses Math podcast, Pam Brett and Alison Mello discuss the influence of self-perception on math teaching and learning. They explore Alison's journey as an 'accidental math teacher,' the importance of vulnerability in education, and the need for a supportive math environment. The conversation emphasizes the significance of using visuals and manipulatives in...

In this conversation, Pam Brett and Kate Rolland discuss the behind-the-scenes aspects of podcasting, the importance of support in business, and the transition to more efficient tools. They explore how AI can enhance social media management, the significance of building trust in collaboration, and the holistic approach to web design and business support. Kate shares insights on understanding clien...

In this engaging conversation, Pam Brett and Dan Meyer explore the transformative landscape of math education, reflecting on Dan's influential TED Talk, 'Math Class Needs a Makeover.' They discuss the importance of shifting perspectives on math, building student confidence, and the role of technology in the classroom. Dan emphasizes the need for teachers to allow students to explore an...