Modern Math Teacher- Teaching Strategies for High School and Middle School Math Teachers
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.
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Episodes
175 episodes
174 The Math Concepts I Finally Understand More Deeply as a Teacher
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.
173 Why Teaching the Same Lesson Five Times Never Actually Works
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, resp...
172 Why I Stopped Winging It as a Math Teacher This Year
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...
171 Turn Any Math Lesson Into a Real-World Experience (In About 15 Minutes)
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 ...
170 You Don’t Have Time for This… Or Do You? (3 Biggest Myths About Real-World Math)
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...
169 You Don’t Need a Full PBL Unit—Start With This Instead
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 overh...
168 Why Most Math Projects Don’t Work (And How to Fix Them
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 br...
What Actually Makes a Math Lesson “Real-World”? (It’s Not What You Think)
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.
The Difference Between Fun Math and Meaningful Math
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”...
165 Why Students Keep Asking “When Will I Ever Use This?” (And What That’s Really Telling You)
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 you...
164 You’re Not Boring—Your Math Lessons Might Be
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 s...
#163 What AI Is Revealing About Our Classrooms (And Why Students Are Using It)
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...
162 AI Feedback That Actually Reaches Students (Before It's Too Late)
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 ...
161 Lesson Plan AI: What Teachers need and What We Don't
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 c...
160 How Can AI Be Used in Education Without Killing Thinking?
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...
#159 What 10 Million Students + 30 Years Taught us About Math Engagement
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...
158 Effective Math Teaching Strategies: What Comes After Productive Struggle?
Productive struggle is an essential part of effective math teaching strategies, but it only works when teachers plan intentionally for what comes next.In this episode, we explore instructional teaching strategies that help student...
157 Productive Math Struggle in Practice: A Conversation with John SanGiovanni
In this special capstone episode of The Modern Math Teacher Podcast, I’m joined by John SanGiovanni, co-author of Productive Math Struggle, for a reflective conversation on what productive struggle looks like in real cla...
156 Student Reflection Activities That Makes Struggle Stick
Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 6: Reflecting on Productive StruggleIn the final episode of our Productive Math Struggle series, we explore the power of reflection — the often-missing piece that transforms struggle into lasting ...
155 Teaching Strategies to Support Productive Struggle in Real Time
Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 5In Part 5 of our Productive Math Struggle Series, we shift from planning to real-time classroom action: What do you actually do when students struggle?Instead of panicking, rescui...
154 Designing Lesson Plans for Productive Struggle
Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 4: Plan a Lesson with Productive StruggleIn Part 4 of our Productive Math Struggle series, we dig into the HEART of rigorous math instruction: lesson planning that intentionally creates space for ...
153 Building Classroom Community in Your Math Class
Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 3: Build Community for Productive StruggleIn Part 3 of our Productive Math Struggle series, we’re diving into what may be the single most important ingredient of producti...
152 Math Identity Matters: You ARE a Math Person
Productive Math Struggle Series — Action 2: Foster an Identity for Productive StruggleIn Part 2 of our Productive Math Struggle series, we dive into one of the most powerful — and overlooked — components of rigorous math learning: math i...
151 Why Productive Struggle Matters
Part 1 of 6 in the Productive Math Struggle SeriesToday we kick off our 6-part series inspired by
Best of 2025: Boosting Student Discourse with Active Teaching
Ready to jump start classroom discourse in your math class in 2026? Get your students eagerly discussing math with these active teaching strategies!Enjoy this replay of: Episode #133 Active Teaching Strategies That Actually Spark Student...