Teaching That "Counts"

Abel Maestas

Conversations with teachers, administrators, leaders, and students about mathematics teaching and learning.

  1. Jun 16

    S4 E1 - From Coach to Classroom: A Year of Reflection and Growth

    Abel kicks off Season Four of Teaching That Counts, sharing his positive math mindset and excitement for the upcoming season. Join me as I reflect on my year that started as a district secondary math instructional coach and then shifted to inquiry-based instruction. I discusses my return to the classroom, the challenges of classroom management, and the use of digital curriculum. I conclude with my plans for educational consulting, book writing, and upcoming presentations. Takeaways Positive math mindsetShift to inquiry-based instructionChallenges of classroom managementFuture plans for educational consulting and book writing Chapters 00:00 Season Four Kickoff18:00 Classroom Experience36:49 Professional Growth and Future Plans

    45 min
  2. S3 E10 - Discourse and Problem Solving with Ki Karou

    05/29/2025

    S3 E10 - Discourse and Problem Solving with Ki Karou

    Why is student-to-student discourse so important in mathematics teaching? How do we change math tasks to give students more opportunities to be problem-solvers? Join me this month as I welcome my guest, Ki Karou to the podcast. Ki is currently the Senior Director of Product and Content for MIND Education, an institute dedicated to increasing engagement and excitement in math education using research-based approaches. We discuss these questions and even talk about integrating ed tech into the math classroom to boost student discourse and engagement!

    40 min
  3. S3 E9 - The Power of Problem-Based Learning with April Mouton

    04/30/2025

    S3 E9 - The Power of Problem-Based Learning with April Mouton

    What is problem-based learning? How can a problem-based curriculum positively impact students' experiences in mathematics? These are some questions that we explore in this episode as I welcome April Mouton to the podcast this month. April is the Interim Vice President of Product Development at Illustrative Mathematics. We discuss why problem-based learning is essential for keeping students engaged in math and how shifting from memorization to problem-solving leads to deeper understanding and better outcomes. This is definitely a conversation you don't want to miss if you have been thinking about moving to a student centered approach, working with Building Thinking Classrooms, or your district is using a problem-based curriculum, like Illustrative Mathematics!

    54 min
  4. S3 E8 - Establishing a Liberatory Math Future For All with SL Rao

    03/31/2025

    S3 E8 - Establishing a Liberatory Math Future For All with SL Rao

    What lies ahead in math education years down the road? What can we be doing to prepare our students in mathematics for a future that is unknown? What systems need to be in place for us to create spaces for all to learn mathematics and create a "liberatory math future"? These are some of the fascinating questions that I get to discuss with the phenomenal SL Rao! If you are not familiar with SL...well, you should be! SL Rao is a strategist who co-creates new futures in education, health and climate through design inspired system transformation. They bring a system-oriented, equity-centered approach to their work and to how they build, nurture, and grow teams and organizations. They are curious, and driven by the need to find solutions to seemingly intractable problems. Join me and SL for this amazing conversation about the future of math education!

    45 min

  5. 02/25/2025

    S3 E7 - Using Curriculum with Fidelity or Integrity? w/ Christina Rubalcava

    Have you been told to use your curriculum to "fidelity"? What does that mean and how can we start to move from using a curricula with fidelity to using it with "integrity"? This is the topic that we discuss in this episode. I am joined by one of the Stanislaus County Office of Education's math special projects coordinators, Christina Rubalcava. We also talk about the work around Building Thinking Classrooms that has been done throughout the county and the rollout of the new CA Mathematics Framework. This is a great conversation that I hope you will enjoy!

    51 min
  6. S3 E6 - Thinking Math-ish with Jo Boaler

    01/30/2025

    S3 E6 - Thinking Math-ish with Jo Boaler

    How can we think in an "ish" way? The phenomenal, Jo Boaler joins the podcast to have this conversation. Jo Boaler is the founder of YouCubed.org and the author of Mathematical Mindsets and Math-ish. She has devoted her entire career in education to supporting teachers in moving towards equitable and effective teaching environments. Jo and I discuss Math-ish, teaching fractions, data science and new CA Framework...something that I am looking forward to implementing! This is definitely a conversation you don't want to miss!

    46 min
  7. S3 E5 - Bringing All Kids into Engaging, Affirming and Meaningful Grade Level Math with Rolanda Baldwin

    12/15/2024

    S3 E5 - Bringing All Kids into Engaging, Affirming and Meaningful Grade Level Math with Rolanda Baldwin

    How do we foster positive math identities for all of our students? Join this conversation with Rolanda Baldwin, the Vice President of Unbound Ed's Math and Science Projects as we seek to answer that question. We discuss "GLEAM", an acronym that can help teachers as an everyday guide to bringing all kids into the mathematics. We also spend some time talking about supports for our multilingual learners and rethinking "intervention" to help students and at the same time support positive math identities. Another great episode with another great guest!

    36 min
  8. S3 E4 - Grading in a Thinking Classroom with Tim Brzezinski and Melisa McCain

    12/03/2024

    S3 E4 - Grading in a Thinking Classroom with Tim Brzezinski and Melisa McCain

    In this SUPERSIZED episode, I welcome the co-creators of the popular Building Thinking Classroom grade book tool, Tim Brzezinski and Melisa McCain! We have a great conversation about how the tool was created, how teachers have been using the grade book and reasons why it is so important to change grading mindsets to move towards "outcomes" based grading and away from "events" based grading. This is a great episode for anyone interested in shifting grading practices.

    54 min
See All (36)

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Conversations with teachers, administrators, leaders, and students about mathematics teaching and learning.

Information

  • Creator
    Abel Maestas
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Abel Maestas
  • Show Website
    Teaching That "Counts"

You Might Also Like