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

Let’s chat—send me a text! Ever feel like your class is full of students… but no one is really there with you? The crickets. The side conversations. The phone scrolling. If that sounds familiar, you’re not failing—you’re ready. Inside this episode:  ✔ 3 red flags that your current teaching approach isn’t working (and what they really mean)  ✔ The mindset shift that saved my sanity (and my students...

Let’s chat—send me a text! If you’re tired of hearing your students ask, “When are we ever gonna use this?”—this episode is for you. Today I’m breaking down the 3 R’s that have reshaped my math class: Real, Relevant, and Rigorous. And no, these aren’t just buzzwords. Inside this episode:  ✔ What it really means to design math that’s real, relevant, and rigorous  ✔ A behind-the-scenes look at my Sa...

Let’s chat—send me a text! Is your math class unforgettable—for the right reasons? In this episode, I’m sharing a powerful story from a cross-curricular Rocket Project that completely shifted how I thought about engagement. It reminded me that students don’t remember worksheets. They remember moments. Inside this episode:  ✔ How I turned a standard quadratics unit into a project students couldn’t...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 🍗🥤 What do chicken nuggets, pop, and student-created videos have in common? They're all part of today’s conversation on how instructional videos can transform engagement in your math class. I’m joined by Clement Townsend, founder of Video Pro Learning, to dive into best practices for educational video projects, why video isn’t just for ELA anymore, and how Google...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 😮‍💨 Feeling overwhelmed by finals prep? Whether you’re planning a final exam review for Algebra 1, Geometry, or Algebra 2, today’s episode is here to save your sanity—and your time. I’m sharing creative, low-prep ideas to get your students engaged and reviewing without the usual stress-fest. Plus, you’ll hear how to use AI + ready-made warm-ups to build review stations...

Let’s chat—send me a text! ☀️Summer is almost here—and so is my Summer Series Poolside PD designed to make your teacher professional development feel more like iced coffee on the porch than a boring meeting. 😎 In this quick episode, I’m giving you a sneak peek at what’s coming AND asking for your input to help shape the next few months of bite-sized, bingeable episodes. In this episode, you’ll he...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 🤔 How can you help students leave your class feeling confident—even if they struggled all year? In this episode, we’re focusing less on the math and more on the mindset that sticks with students long after the final exam. We’ll explore simple, meaningful ways to build a growth mindset and foster a strong mathematics mindset—so your students walk away believing they can...

Let’s chat—send me a text! ✏️ Looking for free math activities for high school that are actually fun and meaningful? You’re in the right place. In this episode, I’m sharing my top 3 FREE, low-prep, high-impact math activities to keep your students learning (and moving) through the end of the year. These aren’t just fluff—they’re rigorous, hands-on, and tied directly to key standards for Algebra 1...

Let’s chat—send me a text! What better way to celebrate 100 episodes than by keeping it 100% real? In this milestone episode, I’m looking back on 15 real, raw, and totally relatable teaching moments from the past 15 years of my math classroom. From launching tennis balls across fields (oops) to learning the hard way why some things can’t be gray (looking at you, cell phones), I’m sharing the funny...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 🤔 What are the best AI tools for teaching math? If you’ve been asking this, I have a game-changing classroom story for you! In this episode, I’m sharing my new favorite AI tool—Snorkl—and how it completely transformed my lesson on graphing trigonometric functions. I’ll take you behind the scenes of an unforgettable class period where students:  ✔ Got instant feedback th...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 🥳 It’s Teacher Appreciation Week—and this episode is all about YOU. Whether you’re coasting into summer or barely hanging on (no shame), I want to say THANK YOU for the work you do every single day. In this special episode, we’re keeping things light, fun, and helpful with:  ✔ Heartfelt encouragement (because you deserve it)  ✔ Fun end-of-year teacher superlatives (grab...

Let’s chat—send me a text! Teaching doesn’t have to be exhausting. What if small shifts could give you back your time, reduce burnout, and make learning more engaging—without adding extra stress? In this episode, I’m joined by Rae Hughart, educator, speaker, and founder of Teachers Deserve It. Rae is passionate about helping teachers set boundaries, reclaim their time, and make learning meaningful...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 🎧 What if you could take math outside and still hit your learning goals?  Say goodbye to packets and hello to sunshine ☀️—because spring is the perfect time to take your math lessons outdoors without sacrificing rigor. In this episode, I’m sharing two of my favorite math projects that work perfectly outside and still cover those key standards. Whether you’re wrapping up...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 🎧 What if your next math review or intro lesson didn’t feel like a worksheet… but like a real, creative challenge your students couldn’t wait to do?  If spring fever has hit your classroom, it’s time to switch gears and bring in hands-on math activities that are engaging, meaningful, and standards-aligned. In this episode, I’m sharing three of my favorite hands-on math...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 🎧 What if AI could save you hours of planning each week?  AI can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be! In this episode, I’m sharing three easy, no-stress ways to start using AI in your math classroom right now. We’ll explore how to:  ✨ Use AI to simplify lesson planning and create scaffolded materials ✨ Boost student support and error analysis using Chat AI too...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 🎧 Have you ever thought about trying something new in your classroom but worried about the timing?  Spring might be your perfect opportunity to experiment with project-based learning (PBL)! In this episode, I’ll show you why the final stretch of the school year is actually the best time to dip your toes into PBL—and exactly how to do it without the overwhelm. I’ll walk...

Let’s chat—send me a text! Wish you had more time to personalize lessons, create engaging activities, and support all learners—without adding hours to your prep? AI might just be the tool you need. In this episode, we’re breaking down three powerful ways AI can help with lesson planning and differentiation. Whether you're brand new to AI or already testing it in your classroom, you’ll walk aw...

Let’s chat—send me a text! Feeling the mid-semester slump? You’re not alone! March is that tricky time of year when energy dips, students get distracted, and classroom routines start slipping. But the good news? A simple spring reset can help bring back structure, engagement, and momentum for the rest of the school year. 🌱 In this episode, you’ll learn: ✔️ Why spring fatigue is real and how to sh...

Let’s chat—send me a text! AI is everywhere—but is it actually useful in math class, or just another tech buzzword? 🤔 When ChatGPT first hit the scene, I dismissed it. I thought, "This is just Mathway for English teachers." But after hearing how my colleagues were using AI in creative and time-saving ways, I decided to give it a shot—and I was blown away. So today, we’re cutting through...

Let’s chat—send me a text! 🏀 What if your students were as engaged in math as they are in filling out their March College Basketball Madness brackets? March is one of the best times of the year to bring real-world connections into your math classroom. From buzzer-beaters to bracket predictions, major sporting events like the college basketball tournament in March to provide the perfect opportunit...

Let’s chat—send me a text! February is the month of love, and we’re asking: Can you set high expectations and still be the teacher your students love and trust? Spoiler alert: You absolutely can! In this episode, we’re diving into how balancing meaningful relationships with rigorous instruction leads to student engagement and success in the math classroom. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✔️ Why rel...

Let’s chat—send me a text! Do you know the secret to starting your math class on the right foot? It’s all in the warm-up! A great bell ringer not only sets the tone for the day but also engages your students and gets them thinking critically right from the start. In this episode, we’ll explore: ✔️ Why warm-ups are essential for focus and engagement. ✔️ Five practical bell ringer ideas to energize...

Let’s chat—send me a text! Presidents’ Day isn’t just a time to reflect on leadership—it’s a perfect opportunity to connect math to history and civic engagement! In this episode, we’re diving into cross-curricular connections that bring real-world math into your classroom. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✔️ Why integrating math with history deepens student understanding. ✔️ How my Election Project...

Let’s chat—send me a text! Are you ready to turn the NFL Championship Big Game into a math teacher’s dream lesson? This episode is all about making math real , relevant, and engaging by connecting it to one of the biggest cultural events of the year! 🙌 In this episode, we’ll cover: ✔️ Why real-world math matters and how it transforms engagement in your classroom. ✔️ How sports-themed lessons (lik...

Let’s chat—send me a text! This week, I’m thrilled to sit down with Rob Barnett, a former teacher, co-founder of the Modern Classrooms Project (MCP), and author of the brand-new book Meet Every Learner’s Needs . Rob has dedicated his career to empowering educators with practical strategies to unlock the full potential of every student. In this episode, we dive into: ✨ Rob’s journey into teaching...