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. 18h ago

    187 Does Your Grading System Match Your Growth Mindset?

    Let’s chat—send me a text! We often tell students: "Progress matters more than perfection." But does our assessment system communicate the same message? In this episode, we're continuing our Math Therapy summer book study with Chapter 7, where Vanessa Vakharia explores the connection between assessment, growth mindset, and mathematical identity. This chapter challenged me to reflect on my own grading practices, my experience with competency-based learning, and the conversations my department is currently having as we continue implementing our new curriculum. In This Episode ✨ Why assessment communicates more than grades ✨ My journey from competency-based grading to teaching within a traditional grading system ✨ The difference between formative and summative assessment ✨ Why reassessment should reflect new learning—not simply offer another attempt ✨ Connecting "progress over perfection" to grading practices ✨ SMART goals that focus on habits, confidence, and growth ✨ Breaking learning into "dopamine bites" ✨ A student progress tracker I'm building for Geometry Proficiency Lab ✨ Helping students collect evidence of their own growth Key Takeaway Assessment isn't just about measuring what students know. It's about communicating what we believe learning looks like. When our grading practices align with our beliefs about growth, students receive a much more consistent message about what it means to learn mathematics. This Week's Reflection Ask yourself: If students only experienced your assessment system, what would they believe about learning?Does your grading system leave room for growth?How do students measure their own progress?What evidence do students collect that shows they're becoming stronger mathematicians? Community Challenge Join us inside the Facebook group and share: ✨ One assessment practice that helps students recognize their own progress. ✨ One way you intentionally celebrate growth before the final unit assessment. Let's build a collection of ideas that help students see learning as a process rather than a single performance. Read Along With Us 📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6 🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D There's still time to join our summer book study! Coming Next Week Next week we'll continue exploring Math Therapy as we move into the final chapters and begin bringing together the big ideas we've explored throughout the series. Until then, keep reflecting, keep growing, and remember that math is Moore than just solving for X. 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!

  2. 2d ago

    186 Rewrite the Story. Rewire the Brain.

    Let’s chat—send me a text! How do students begin to see themselves differently in mathematics? In this episode, we're continuing our Math Therapy summer book study with Chapter 6: Makeover. This chapter may be the most personal one yet. It challenged me to reflect on my own math story and reminded me that students don't simply need better grades—they need opportunities to build a healthier mathematical identity. I also share one of my favorite implementation ideas from the book: helping students create a Math-o-GRAPHy, where they graph the highs and lows of their mathematical journey and later use those graphs as authentic mathematical data. In This Episode ✨ What math identity really means ✨ Why rewriting our math story helps rewire our brain ✨ My personal math journey—from Mathlete to math teacher ✨ How teachers shape students' mathematical identities ✨ The influence of media on students' beliefs about math ✨ Why I interpreted Mean Girls a little differently ✨ The Math Story Makeover activity ✨ Using Math-o-GRAPHy to connect SEL and authentic mathematics ✨ Why identity—not ability—is often what changes most Key Takeaway Students don't become different mathematicians because we tell them they're capable. They become different mathematicians because they accumulate evidence that they are capable. Every reflection. Every productive struggle. Every meaningful success. Every encouraging conversation. Those experiences help students rewrite their story—and ultimately rewire how they see themselves. This Week's Reflection Ask yourself: What's your own math story?Which teachers shaped your mathematical identity?What experiences made you the teacher you are today?If your students rewrote their math autobiography in May, what would you hope had changed? Community Challenge Join us inside the Facebook group and share: ✨ One moment from your own math story that shaped the teacher you've become. ✨ One classroom experience that helps students build a healthier relationship with mathematics. Let's collect ideas that help students rewrite their stories one experience at a time. Read Along With Us 📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6 🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D There's still plenty of time to join our summer book study! Coming Next We'll continue exploring Math Therapy and discover another practical toolkit for helping students build confidence, resilience, and lasting mathematical identities. Until then, keep reflecting, keep growing, and remember that math is Moore than just solving for X. 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!

  3. Jul 16

    185 Students Aren't Asking "When Will I Use This?" They're Asking "Why Should I Care?"

    Let’s chat—send me a text! What if we've been answering one of our students' most common questions the wrong way? When students ask: "When am I ever going to use this?" they're often not asking about future careers. They're asking something much deeper: "Why should I care?" In this episode, we're continuing our summer Math Therapy book study with Chapter 5: Motivate, and exploring how relevance, purpose, and meaningful feedback can transform student motivation. In This Episode ✨ Why motivation begins with meaning ✨ The difference between real and relevant mathematics ✨ Why transferable skills matter just as much as content standards ✨ Redefining mathematics as reasoning, problem solving, communication, and critical thinking ✨ Redefining success and failure through a growth mindset lens ✨ Lessons from Meet the Robinsons and The Magic School Bus ✨ Why accountability partners aren't just for students—they're for teachers too ✨ How my National Board journey reshaped the way I think about student feedback ✨ Why specific feedback builds self-efficacy and motivation Key Takeaway Students don't always need another real-world application. Sometimes they simply need to understand who they're becoming because they're learning mathematics. Purpose fuels motivation. Meaning sustains perseverance. This Week's Reflection Ask yourself: How would your students define mathematics?Would their definition match yours?What transferable skills are your students practicing this week?The next time a student asks, "When am I ever going to use this?" how might you answer the deeper question: "Why should I care?" Community Challenge Join us inside the Facebook group and share: ✨ One way you help students discover the purpose behind mathematics. ✨ One strategy you use to build intrinsic motivation without relying on rewards, points, or grades. Let's continue learning from one another as we prepare for a new school year. Read Along With Us 📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6 🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D It's not too late to join our summer book study! Coming Up Next We'll continue working through the Math Therapy framework and explore another practical toolkit for helping students build healthier, more confident relationships with mathematics. Until then, keep reflecting, keep learning, and remember that math is Moore than just solving for X. 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!

  4. Jul 14

    184 We Don't Need to Lower Expectations. We Need to Lower the Threat.

    Let’s chat—send me a text! How do we create a classroom where students feel safe enough to struggle? In this episode, we're continuing our summer Math Therapy book study with Chapter 4: Moderate. This chapter challenged me to rethink the difference between mathematical challenge and emotional threat. Productive struggle is an essential part of learning mathematics—but unnecessary fear, embarrassment, and fixed labels can prevent students from ever engaging in that struggle. I also share some of my own math stories and how they're influencing the way I'm designing my Geometry Proficiency Lab this year. In This Episode ✨ The three meanings of "moderate" in the Math Therapy framework ✨ Why moderating math anxiety is both proactive and reactive ✨ My own experiences with math trauma in Honors Geometry and Linear Algebra ✨ Why students should revisit and rewrite their math stories ✨ Wrestling with the balance between cold calling and psychological safety ✨ The impact of labels like "honors" and "intervention" ✨ The Believe → Behave → Become framework for changing mathematical identity ✨ Why teacher language matters ✨ Choosing math therapy practices that fit your authentic teaching style ✨ My favorite implementation idea: a Math Therapy Classroom Agreement Key Takeaway We don't help students by lowering expectations. We help students by intentionally creating classrooms where they feel safe enough to meet high expectations. Psychological safety isn't the opposite of rigor. It's often what makes rigor possible. This Week's Reflection Ask yourself: What labels do your students bring into your classroom?What stories have they attached to those labels?How do your classroom routines communicate safety, belonging, and high expectations?If your students rewrote their math autobiography at the end of the semester, what would you hope had changed? Community Challenge Head over to the Facebook group and share: ✨ One classroom routine you already use that helps students feel psychologically safe. ✨ One idea from Chapter 4 that you're planning to implement this school year. Let's build a collection of strategies that help students experience productive struggle without unnecessary fear. Read Along With Us 📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6 🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D It's never too late to jump into our summer book study! Coming Next Time Next  we'll continue exploring the Math Therapy framework and unpack the next step in helping students build healthier relationships with mathematics. Until then, keep reflecting, keep learning, and remember that math is Moore than just solving for X. 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!

  5. Jul 9

    183 Mythbusting the Biggest Lies Students Believe About Math

    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 cannot build a healthier relationship with mathematics if they continue believing unhealthy myths about themselves. This episode explores how teachers can help students challenge limiting beliefs, collect evidence of growth, and begin rewriting their mathematical identities. In This Episode ✨ Why growth mindset still matters ✨ The difference between telling students they can grow and helping them experience growth ✨ What it really means to be good at math ✨ Why productive struggle is essential for building confidence ✨ How the Reticular Activating System (RAS) influences what students notice ✨ The role of relevance in learning mathematics ✨ Reflection, journaling, and Favorite Mistakes as tools for growth ✨ Why evidence—not encouragement alone—changes beliefs Key Takeaway Students don't develop a growth mindset because we tell them to. Students develop a growth mindset because they experience growth. Productive struggle leads to success. Success creates evidence. Evidence shapes beliefs. Beliefs influence identity. And identity drives behavior. This Week's Reflection Consider these questions: What does it mean to be good at math?Would your students define mathematical success the same way you do?What evidence are your students collecting about themselves every day?What evidence are they noticing? Community Challenge This week, intentionally notice something. It could be: examples of productive strugglemoments of student growthmathematics in everyday lifeevidence of mathematical thinkingThen head into our Facebook group and share what you discovered. I'd also love to hear your answer to this question: What does it mean to be good at math? Read Along With Us 📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6 🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D It's not too late to join the book study! Coming Next Time Next week we'll explore the second of the Five Ms: Moderate and discuss how we can intentionally create classrooms that help reduce math anxiety while increasing belonging, confidence, and trust. Until then, keep reflecting, keep learning, and remember that math is Moore than just solving for X. 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!

  6. Jul 7

    182 What Is Math Therapy? (And Why You're Probably Already Doing It)

    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 of mathematics. As teachers, we already help students: navigate frustrationrecover from mistakesbuild confidencedevelop resiliencechallenge limiting beliefsMath therapy simply gives us a framework for doing that work more intentionally. In This Episode Vanessa Vakharia's journey into math therapyWhy teachers already influence students' mathematical identitiesThe Five Ms framework:MythbustModerateMotivateMakeoverMeasureThe connection between Atomic Habits and mathematical identityWhy beliefs shape identity and identity shapes habitsThe importance of bringing your whole self into mathematicsCreating classroom agreements rooted in empathy and belongingRethinking the first two weeks of school A Powerful Question What if the first two weeks of school weren't just about procedures and review? What if they were also about helping students build a healthier relationship with mathematics? This question is shaping much of my planning for Geometry Proficiency Lab and may be one of the most impactful ideas from the chapter. This Week's Reflection Consider these questions: What are you already doing that supports students' mathematical well-being?How do you build belonging in your classroom?What messages do your students receive about who can be successful in math?Which of the Five Ms do your students need most? Community Challenge Join us inside the Facebook group and share: One thing you're already doing that aligns with math therapyOne activity you plan to use during the first two weeks of schoolWhich of the Five Ms you're most excited to learn more aboutLet's learn from each other as we prepare for a new school year. Read Along With Us 📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6 🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D Coming Next Week We'll begin exploring the first of the Five Ms: Mythbust We'll discuss growth mindset, identity, math autobiographies, journaling, and how students can begin rewriting the stories they've been telling themselves about mathematics. Until then, keep reflecting, keep learning, and remember that math is Moore than just solving for X. 🎙️📐 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!

  7. Jul 2

    181 Math Trauma, Teen Talk Barbie, and the Myth of the "Math Person"

    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 tell ourselves about mathematics matter. From cultural stereotypes and family messaging to our own classroom experiences, students often arrive carrying beliefs about who they are as math learners long before we ever meet them. In This Episode Why the "math person" myth is so persistentThe surprising connection between Teen Talk Barbie and productive struggleThe difference between math anxiety and math traumaHow family experiences influence mathematical identityWhat intervention students have taught me about confidence and resilienceQuestions I'm beginning to explore about math trauma in honors classes This Week's Reflection Consider these questions: Were you told you were a math person growing up?What messages about mathematics shaped your own identity?How do stress, anxiety, and math trauma show up in your students?Does it look different in intervention classes versus advanced courses? Community Challenge This week, start noticing how mathematics is portrayed in everyday life. Look for examples in: TelevisionMoviesSocial mediaAdvertisementsConversations with friends and familyThen share your observations inside our Facebook group. Let's see what patterns emerge when we start paying attention to the messages surrounding mathematics. Read Along With Us 📖 Physical Book: https://amzn.to/42VJRl6 🎧 Audiobook: https://amzn.to/49nV55D Next Time We'll dive into Chapter 2 and begin exploring what math therapy actually looks like in practice—and why it might matter more than we realize. Until next time, keep reflecting, keep learning, and remember that math is Moore than just solving for X. 🎙️📐 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. Jun 30

    180 Listener Q&A: PBL, Building Thinking Classrooms, Real-World Data & More!

    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, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can use right away. 💡 In This Episode: How to get started with Project-Based Learning (without overhauling your entire curriculum)Can Project-Based Learning and Building Thinking Classrooms work together?Why I love the Gift Wrap Challenge as an anchor activityReal-world connections for rational and irrational numbersMy favorite places to find authentic data, graphs, and statistics for math lessonsBook recommendations to reignite your passion for teaching math and explore instructional best practices ✨ Resources Mentioned Project or Practice? Free Guide  👉 https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/practice Join us for our July Math Therapy Book Study! 📖 Physical Book  https://amzn.to/42VJRl6 🎧 Audiobook  https://amzn.to/49nV55D 🌊 Poolside PD Reflection What's one question about your teaching you've been avoiding because you thought you "should already know the answer?" Sometimes the best professional growth starts with asking better questions. 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!

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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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