Blue Glasses Math

In this episode, I engage in a thought-provoking conversation with William Polan, an international school educator and math coach based in Thailand. We explore the transformative power of inquiry-based learning in math education, discussing how it fosters student confidence, creativity, and self-directed learning. William shares insights from his upcoming book, "The Inquiry Math Classroom,&qu...

In this episode of Blue Glasses Math , I sit down with four incredible math education leaders to explore the Math Narrative Project —a powerful initiative reshaping the way we think and talk about math teaching and learning. Please welcome  Dionne Aminata, Deborah Peart Crayton, Adrienne Baytops Paul and Nicole Joseph, PhD to the conversation.  We center student voices, especially the voices of Bl...

In this episode, I’m joined by Jennifer Lempp—math coach, author, and advocate for empowering students through the Math Workshop model. Jennifer opens up about her own struggles with math, and how those early experiences shaped her passion for helping every student see themselves as a math person. We talk about what it really takes to create a classroom where students feel safe, seen, and supporte...

In this power-packed Pam² episode of Blue Glasses Math , I sit down with Pam Harris!! Pam Harris is shifting the way we view and teach mathematics. She is a mom, former high school math teacher, university lecturer, author and the Founder of Math is Figureoutable. Math teachers around the world rave about her online Building Powerful Mathematics workshops. For over 20 years, Pam has been helping l...

What’s your math story? In this deeply inspiring episode of Blue Glasses Math , I sit down with the one and only Jo Boaler —mathematics education researcher, author of Math-ish , and founder of YouCubed . We talk about shifting math culture from correctness to curiosity, and from isolation to collaboration. Bentley, Jo’s adorable 14-week-old puppy, joins us too—snoozing peacefully in her lap as we...

In this episode of Blue Glasses Math , I talk about the importance of understanding the beliefs we each carry about teaching and learning math—and how those beliefs impact both us as teachers and our students. I share why it’s so powerful to reflect on our own math stories, and how the stories our students bring into the classroom shape their learning. We’ll explore the role emotions play in formi...

In this solo episode, I reconnect with the Blue Glasses Math community, reflecting on the deeper purpose of teaching mathematics. I emphasize the importance of humanizing math education, focusing on the emotional experiences of students, and the virtues that mathematics can cultivate. Through personal anecdotes and insights from educational research, I discuss the belief cycle in math education an...

What do you get when two deeply reflective educators who love math — and love teachers — show up with vulnerability, humor, and a whole lot of heart? In this episode, Zak Champagne (Chief Content Officer at Flynn Education and co-author of enVision Mathematics ) and Dr. Mike Flynn (former second-grade teacher and Director of Math Leadership Programs at Mount Holyoke College, and now CEO of Flynn E...

In this engaging episode, Ron Martiello shares his deeply personal and evolving journey with mathematics. From proudly wearing Smurf stickers in elementary school after winning fast-fact games to becoming a passionate math coach and author, Ron reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his perspective. He dives into the power of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in creating accessible math ins...

Summary In this engaging conversation, Zach Champagne shares his journey in math education, emphasizing the importance of authentic questioning, fostering curiosity, and creating safe spaces for students to express their ideas. The discussion highlights the need for teachers to model vulnerability and uncertainty, as well as the value of community and discourse in the math classroom. Zach also dis...

In this episode of Blue Glasses Math , I sit down with Marc Seigel—STEM educator and high school chemistry and design teacher—to talk about the power of mistake-making in learning. From flaming Doritos to balloon experiments that didn’t go quite as planned, Marc shares how he creates hands-on spaces where students feel safe to take risks, try new things, and grow from every misstep. We dig into ho...

What happens when someone who studied actuarial science and worked in corporate consulting walks away to teach high school math? In this episode, I sit down with Paul Battaglia—a powerful voice in math education who brings passion, intentionality, and deep belief in students to every lesson he teaches. We talk about his journey into education, how he keeps math relevant and real for his students,...

What if the best way to help students to see themselves as math people...is to let them lead the way? In this episode, I sit down with Anne Paoletti-Bayna - award winning educator and creator of a groundbreaking math research elective designed to tap into high school students' curiosity. Anne shares how she creates space where teenagers can ask their own questions and explore mathematics throu...

What happens when we stop treating math like a checklist and start seeing it as a living, breathing human experience? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Kris Childs shares how centering student interests — starting with a group of sneaker-obsessed teens — unlocked a classroom full of powerful mathematical thinking. We explore why context matters, how technology can be a tool for deeper engagement,...

In this episode of Blue Glasses Math , I sit down with Dr. Chepina Rumsey and Dr. Jody Guarino, authors of Nurturing Math Curiosity with Learners in Grades K–2 . They unpack the power of student-driven inquiry in early math classrooms—and how curiosity, when nurtured, becomes the gateway to mathematical reasoning, identity, and joy. From classroom anecdotes involving first graders debating the rel...

What if math felt like a playground instead of a test? In this episode, I sit down with Cindy Lawrence, executive director and CEO of the National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) in New York City and one of its visionary founders. We explore Cindy’s math story, from second-grade struggles to rediscovering wonder through museum-making. We talk about the emotions that live inside math — joy, struggle...

Deborah Peart brings her perspective of what it feels like to be a student in a classroom whose mathematical ideas are not valued. Deborah uses her experiences as a student of math to help teachers understand that all students can learn math AND that all people who do math - are Mathers. Deborah is the founder of My Mathematical Mind. She trains teachers to create environments where all students c...

"Always bet on people" - Dan Meyer In this episode of Blue Glasses Math , I sit down with Dan Meyer , a passionate advocate for better math instruction that truly supports both teachers and students . You may know him from his viral TED Talk, Math Class Needs a Makeover , or his work as Chief Academic Officer at Desmos Classroom , or his recent National Math Leadership Award from NCSM . Dan shares...

How can we create math classrooms where English learners (ELs) don’t just survive—but thrive? In this episode, I sit down with Adrian Mendoza, author of Teaching Math to English Learners , to explore strategies that make math more accessible and meaningful for multilingual learners. We unpack the unique challenges ELLs face in math classrooms, from language barriers to cultural differences in math...

How does empathy shape the way we teach, lead, and connect with students? In this episode of Blue Glasses Math , I sit down with Erin Thorpe, a leadership coach and host of Tactical Empathy to explore how empathy is an inside job —a skill that transforms classrooms and empowers teachers as leaders. We’ll discuss what it really means to teach with understanding and why this shift is critical for bo...

In this episode of Blue Glasses Math , I sit down with Dr. Amanda Jansen, professor at the University of Delaware and author of Rough Draft Math: Revising to Learn . We dive into the transformative power of revision in the math classroom—how shifting away from a right/wrong binary can empower students, boost confidence, and foster a culture of collaborative learning. Mandy shares insights on the i...

This conversation with Eli Luberoff, founder and CEO of DESMOS Studio PBC gives us insight into how DESMOS was built and how to use this amazing dynamic calculator to recognize the brilliance in all students in your classroom. From graphing basic linear equations to creating amazing works of art, DESMOS Studio has no limits for helping students and teachers to see themselves as math people. https:...

Kevin Dykema always excelled at math as a student, mastering formulas and solving problems with ease. But when he stepped into the classroom as a teacher, he realized that true understanding of math goes far beyond surface-level memorization—it’s about deeply engaging with concepts to guide others on their learning journeys. In this inspiring episode, Kevin, former president of the National Counci...

In this episode, I explore the transformative potential of Amplify's Polypad, a free virtual whiteboard packed with interactive math manipulatives, from ten frames to fraction bars and beyond! If you’ve ever struggled with keeping students engaged, helping them truly understand concepts, or sparking excitement about math, this episode is for you. I am joined by David Poras, a former middle school...

In today's episode, I talk about what I actually mean when I say "shift perspective on what it means to be a math person". Math evokes powerful feelings - for a reason. Experiences in math class stick with us and leave indelible marks on our souls because of the feelings that we experience when doing math. Learning math is about more than facts and "answer getting". Learning math as an opportunity...