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

Kristen Moore- High School Algebra Teacher + AI Educator + PBL Coach
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The Modern Math Teacher helps you make math class the best part of your 6-12 students' day. Join Kristen Moore for quick, real-talk episodes on Project Based Learning, student-centered teaching strategies, AI and technology inspired lesson planning and boosting student engagement—without burning out. New episodes every Tuesday.   👉 Join the conversation inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Community Facebook Group! 

  1. 1d ago

    178 Should Honors Math Be Different? Here's What I'm Wrestling With

    Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you! 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 next year—from rigor and procedural fluency to pacing, grading, and what should actually be different in an honors classroom. Because I don't think honors students need more work. I think they need meaningful opportunities to think more deeply. 💡 In This Episode: What I'm excited (and nervous) about as I prepare to teach honors mathWhy rigor and volume are not the same thingThe procedural skills I'm reconsidering for honors studentsHow I'm thinking about pacing within the IM curriculumQuestions I have about grading, mastery, and accountabilityWhy "more work" isn't the same as "more challenge" ✨ Key Takeaways ✨ Honors students deserve deeper thinking—not just more assignments ✨ High expectations and strong support should exist in every math classroom ✨ Procedural fluency may matter differently for students on advanced math pathways ✨ Some of the best professional growth comes from asking better questions ✨ Being an experienced teacher doesn't mean you stop learning 📥 FREE GUIDE: Project or Practice? Want help deciding when to use projects, performance tasks, or practice in your math classroom? 👉 Grab the free guide:  https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice 📘 JULY BOOK STUDY: Math Therapy This July, we'll be reading Math Therapy together and discussing: math identityconfidenceproductive strugglestudent mindsetemotional experiences in mathematicsGrab your copy and read along with us: 📖 Physical Book:  https://amzn.to/42VJRl6 🎧 Audiobook:  https://amzn.to/49nV55D 🌊 Poolside PD Reflection If you teach honors students, what should be different—and what should stay exactly the same? And if you don't teach honors? How do you challenge students without simply giving them more work? 🎧 What's Next Next up, we're wrapping up our June Poolside PD series by talking about productive struggle, rigor, and how to support students without rescuing them. Until next time, keep it real. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen: Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustxJoin the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! *Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

    9 min

  2. 6d ago

    177 The Best Technology in Math Class Isn't Always New Technology

    Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you! 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 this episode, I'm sharing how my thinking has evolved, the tools I'm keeping, the tools I'm rethinking, and how frameworks like TPACK and SAMR are helping me make more intentional instructional decisions. 💡 In This Episode: Why I'm not anti-tech—but I am pro-intentionalityHow TPACK and SAMR can help us evaluate technology useWhy students sometimes use devices as an avoidance strategyThe role of TI-84 graphing calculators in a modern math classroomWhy tools like ASSISTments, Snorkl, and AI are staying in my toolboxMy "Hannah Montana Model" for balancing digital and non-digital learning ✨ Key Takeaways ✨ Technology should amplify thinking—not replace it ✨ Learning goals should drive technology decisions ✨ Not every lesson needs a screen ✨ TPACK and SAMR help us ask better questions about technology use ✨ The best technology isn't always the newest technology 📥 FREE GUIDE: Project or Practice? Want help deciding when to use projects, performance tasks, or practice in your math classroom? 👉 Grab the free guide:  https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice 📘 JULY BOOK STUDY: Math Therapy This July, we'll be reading Math Therapy together on the podcast. We'll explore: math identityconfidenceproductive strugglestudent mindsetemotional experiences in mathematicsGrab your copy and read along with us: 📖 Physical Book:  https://amzn.to/42VJRl6 🎧 Audiobook:  https://amzn.to/49nV55D 🌊 Poolside PD Reflection If you removed every piece of technology from tomorrow's lesson, what learning would be lost? And what learning might actually improve? 🎧 What's Next Next up, I'm sharing what I'm still figuring out about teaching Honors Math—including rigor, procedural fluency, pacing, and how to challenge students without overwhelming them. Until next time, keep it real. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen: Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustxJoin the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! *Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

    13 min

  3. Jun 16

    176 The Digital Delusion: Why I'm Rethinking Technology in Math Class

    Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you! 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, Chromebook fatigue, productive struggle, and why I'm becoming more intentional about when—and how—technology shows up in my classroom. 💡 In This Episode: Why I'm rethinking technology use in math classHow Chromebooks can become an avoidance toolLessons from The Anxious Generation and The Digital DelusionHow the TPACK and SAMR models can help us evaluate tech useWhere I still love tools like Desmos, ASSISTments, and SnorklWhy I'm exploring the role of TI-84 calculators again ✨ Key Takeaways ✨ Technology should support thinking—not replace it ✨ More technology does not automatically create better learning ✨ Productive struggle is harder when students have constant escape routes ✨ The best tech decisions start with learning goals, not the tool ✨ Intentional technology use is different from technology dependence 📥 FREE GUIDE: Project or Practice? Want help deciding when to use projects, performance tasks, or practice in your math classroom? 👉 Grab the free guide:  https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice 📘 JULY BOOK STUDY: Math Therapy This July, we'll be reading and discussing Math Therapy together on the podcast. We'll explore: math identityconfidenceproductive strugglestudent mindsetemotional experiences in mathematicsGrab your copy and read along with us: 📖 Physical Book:  https://amzn.to/42VJRl6 🎧 Audiobook:  https://amzn.to/49nV55D 🎧 What’s Next Next up, we're talking about the role of calculators, AI, feedback tools, and why the best technology in math class isn't always the newest technology. Until next time, keep it real. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen: Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustxJoin the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! *Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

    11 min

  4. Jun 11

    175 Why Every Math Teacher Should Study Above and Below Their Grade Level

    Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you! 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 coherenceconceptual progressionactivating prior knowledgeand why understanding where students are coming from and where they’re headed changes your instruction completely. 💡 In This Episode: Why teaching multiple grade levels made me a stronger teacherHow understanding future math changes present instructionWhy conceptual progression matters in mathematicsHow studying above and below your course improves lesson designWhy math should feel connected—not isolated ✨ Key Takeaways ✨ Every math lesson is part of a larger mathematical story ✨ Understanding future concepts changes what we emphasize now ✨ Strong instruction connects prior knowledge to future learning ✨ Deep content understanding leads to more intentional teaching 📥 FREE GUIDE: Project or Practice? Want help creating more meaningful and intentional math experiences? 👉 Grab the free guide:  https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice 📘 JULY BOOK STUDY: Math Therapy We’ll be reading Math Therapy together this July and discussing: math identityconfidenceproductive struggleand emotional experiences in math classGrab the book here: 📖 Physical book:  https://amzn.to/42VJRl6 🎧 Audiobook:  https://amzn.to/49nV55D 🎧 What’s Next Next up, we’re diving into technology in the math classroom, Chromebook fatigue, and why I’m rethinking what intentional tech integration actually looks like This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen: Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustxJoin the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! *Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

    10 min

  5. Jun 9

    174 The Math Concepts I Finally Understand More Deeply as a Teacher

    Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you! 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 instruction. 💡 In This Episode: Why procedural fluency is not the same as conceptual understandingThe math concepts that challenged me as a teacherWhy horizontal transformations feel “backwards”How studying math more deeply changed my instructionWhy every math teacher should study above and below their grade level ✨ Key Takeaways ✨ Memorizing procedures is not the same as making sense of mathematics ✨ Deep conceptual understanding changes the way we teach ✨ Students struggle with abstract concepts because they are abstract ✨ Seeing the “big picture” of mathematics makes instruction more intentional 📥 FREE GUIDE: Project or Practice? Want help creating more meaningful math experiences in your classroom? 👉 Grab the free guide:  https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice 📘 JULY BOOK STUDY: Math Therapy We’ll be reading Math Therapy together this July and discussing: math identityconfidenceproductive struggleand emotional experiences in math classGrab the book here: 📖 Physical book:  https://amzn.to/42VJRl6 🎧 Audiobook:  https://amzn.to/49nV55D This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen: Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustxJoin the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! *Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

    11 min

  6. Jun 4

    173 Why Teaching the Same Lesson Five Times Never Actually Works

    Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you! 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 differentiationresponsive teachingstudent dynamicsand why consistency does not mean every class should look identical 💡 In This Episode: Why every class period needs something slightly differentHow my understanding of differentiation evolved this yearWhat responsive teaching actually looks like in practiceWhy student behavior is often connected to confidence and overwhelmHow this connects to math identity and emotional experiences in math class ✨ Key Takeaways ✨ Consistency does not mean sameness ✨ Responsive teaching is not lowering expectations ✨ Different classes need different supports, pacing, and structures ✨ Student engagement is deeply connected to confidence and belonging 📥 FREE GUIDE: Project or Practice? Want help deciding when to use projects, performance tasks, or practice in your math classroom? 👉 Grab the free guide:  https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice 📘 JULY BOOK STUDY: Math Therapy We’ll be reading Math Therapy together in July and discussing how math identity, confidence, and emotional experiences shape learning. Grab the book here: 📖 Physical book:  https://amzn.to/42VJRl6 🎧 Audiobook:  https://amzn.to/49nV55D 🎧 What’s Next Next up, we’re talking about the math concepts I finally understand more deeply as a teacher—and how deepening my own conceptual understanding changed my instruction. Until next time, keep it real. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen: Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustxJoin the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! *Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

    9 min

  7. Jun 2

    172 Why I Stopped Winging It as a Math Teacher This Year

    Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you! 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 that made the biggest difference in my classroom this year—and why becoming more intentional transformed the way I teach. 💡 In This Episode: Why I stopped “winging” lessons even after years of teachingWhat teaching an inquiry-based curriculum taught meHow my understanding of differentiation changed this yearWhy rigor and support need to exist togetherThe math concepts I finally understand more deeply as a teacher ✨ Key Takeaways ✨ Intentional teaching is about designing student experiences—not just delivering content ✨ Differentiation can happen class-to-class, not just student-to-student ✨ Strong math instruction balances rigor with support ✨ Deepening your own conceptual understanding changes how you teach 📥 FREE GUIDE: Project or Practice? Trying to think more intentionally about when to use projects, performance tasks, or practice in your math classroom? 👉 Grab the free guide:  https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice 🎧 What’s Next Next up, we’re diving into why teaching the same lesson five times never actually works—and what responsive teaching can look like in a real math classroom. Until next time, keep it real. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen: Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustxJoin the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! *Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

    15 min

  8. May 26

    171 Turn Any Math Lesson Into a Real-World Experience (In About 15 Minutes)

    Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you! 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 lessons feel flat (even when they’re “good”)A simple 4-step process to redesign your lessonsHow to make math more real, relevant, and rigorousA practical example you can apply right away ✨ Key Takeaways ✨ You don’t need to start over—you can modify what you already have ✨ Strong lessons are real, relevant, and rigorous ✨ Small design shifts can dramatically improve engagement ✨ You can redesign a lesson in about 15 minutes with a clear process 📥 FREE GUIDE: Project or Practice? Not sure when to use projects vs. practice in your math classroom? 👉 Grab the free guide:  https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice A simple way to make confident instructional decisions—without adding more to your plate. This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen: Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustxJoin the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! *Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

    8 min
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The Modern Math Teacher helps you make math class the best part of your 6-12 students' day. Join Kristen Moore for quick, real-talk episodes on Project Based Learning, student-centered teaching strategies, AI and technology inspired lesson planning and boosting student engagement—without burning out. New episodes every Tuesday.   👉 Join the conversation inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Community Facebook Group! 

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