Modern Math Teacher- Teaching Strategies for High School and Middle School Math Teachers

Let’s chat—send me a text! What does it actually mean to be good at math? If you asked your students that question, what would they say? In this episode, we're continuing our summer book study of Math Therapy by Vanessa Vakharia and diving into Chapter 3: Mythbust. While growth mindset may not be the educational buzzword it once was, the ideas behind it remain incredibly important. Students c...

Let’s chat—send me a text! Welcome back to our summer Math Therapy book study series! This week we're discussing Chapter 2 and exploring a question many teachers may be asking: What exactly is math therapy? One of the biggest takeaways from this chapter is that math therapy isn't about becoming a licensed therapist. Instead, it's about becoming more intentional about the human side...

Let’s chat—send me a text! This week, we're kicking off our summer book study of Math Therapy by Vanessa Vakharia. Rather than providing a chapter-by-chapter summary, this series is designed as a conversation around the ideas that resonate most, the questions they raise, and how they might influence our classroom practices. In Chapter 1, one idea kept surfacing again and again: The stories we...

Let’s chat—send me a text! You asked, I answered! In this special Listener Q&A episode of The Modern Math Teacher, I'm tackling some of your biggest questions about project-based learning, Building Thinking Classrooms, real-world math connections, and professional learning. Whether you're just getting started with PBL or looking for new ways to make your math classroom more engaging,...

Let’s chat—send me a text! Struggle Is Learning. Drowning Is Not. One of the biggest lessons I've learned this year is that not all struggle is productive. As math teachers, we want students to wrestle with ideas, persevere through challenges, and make sense of mathematics. But there's a fine line between productive struggle and overwhelming frustration. In this episode, we're explo...

Let’s chat—send me a text! What I'm Still Figuring Out About Teaching Honors Math After more than 15 years in the classroom, I'm about to do something new: Teach Honors Algebra 2 and Grade-Level Algebra 2 at the same time. And honestly? I'm still figuring out what that should look like. In this episode, I'm sharing the questions I've been wrestling with as I prepare for ne...

Let’s chat—send me a text! Are we using technology because it improves learning—or because it's available? After reflecting on student engagement, Chromebook fatigue, and intentional lesson design, I've been rethinking how technology fits into my math classroom. And the more I think about it, the more I realize: 👉 The goal isn't more technology. 👉 The goal is better technology. In...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 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?" 👉 But "When should we use technology?" In this episode, I'm reflecting on student device use, Chromeb...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 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 one connected story. In this episode, we’re talking about: mathematical coherence conceptual progression activating prior knowledge and why unders...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 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 episode, I’m reflecting on the math ideas I’ve come to understand more deeply as a teacher—and how that deeper understanding has completely changed my...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 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 this episode, we’re talking about: class-to-class differentiation respons...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 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 experiences. In this episode, I’m reflecting on the instructional shifts tha...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 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 scratch or spending hours planning. 💡 In This Episode: Why some math lesson...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 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-based learning—and why they might be the exact things holding you back. 💡 In This Episode: Why “I don’t have time” isn’t actually the real problem...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 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 full PBL units can feel overwhelming (and what to do instead) What a “mini p...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 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: Why “fun” projects don’t always lead to learning The biggest mistakes in...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 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 flat The difference between context and connection What makes math feel meaningful to students A si...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 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 learning The 3-part framework: real, relevant, rigorous How to improve your lessons without starting over A simple shift you can try right away Key...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 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 math Why common teacher responses don’t work What students actually need t...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 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 Episode: ✨ Why engagement ≠ entertainment ✨ The real reason students lose i...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 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 their use of AI is revealing about how school currently works. In this episode, I’m joined by Aron Boxer, CEO and Founder of Diversified Education Servi...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 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 comes too late to matter, and feedback that isn't personalized enough to actually help. She walks through the real tools she's using in her cl...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 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 more overwhelm. In this episode, we cover: Why many AI lesson plan generator...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 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 thinking at the center. You’ll hear about: Why AI itself isn’t the problem...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 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 U.S. and Canada, now with 3P Learning) to unpack what nearly two decades of World Maths Day participation reveals about math engagement, productive...