Modern Math Teacher

Are you looking for active Teaching Strategies That Actually Spark Student Discussion in math class?Tired of asking a question and hearing crickets? In this episode, Kristen shares active teaching strategies that actually get students talking.Inside you'll learn: ✅ Why passive instruction is killing engagement ✅ 3 go-to talk strategies you can use tomorrow ✅ Cooperative teaching strategies that build confidence and collaboration ✅ What NOT to do if you want students to participate

Let's dive into Student-Centered Teaching: How to Build Autonomy Without Losing Control in your Math Class!Ready to shift your math class from teacher-led to student-driven? In this episode, we're breaking down exactly what student-centered teaching looks like—and how to create autonomy without chaos.You'll learn: ✅ What student-centered really means in a math class ✅ 3 small shifts to get started (no overhaul required) ✅ How structure and autonomy can coexist ✅ Why this shift leads to deeper student engagement

Not all real-world math is created equal.In this episode, I'm breaking down what makes a math project actually relevant to your students—and how to make math feel meaningful without needing a full curriculum rewrite. You'll learn what students really care about, how to design your first spark of engagement, and how to use AI tools to help personalize your next project in seconds.✅ In this episode:Why some real-world math projects fall flatWhat makes students buy into a math task (hint: it's not just budgeting!)Examples of topics and formats students actually care aboutHow to start small and build a real-world sparkHow AI can support you in designing faster and smarterA free tool to help you plan your first (or next!) student-centered project

Ready to stop managing behavior and start supporting student thinking?In this episode, we're breaking down the three essential classroom routines every secondary math teacher needs—especially if you're trying to run a student-centered classroom without constant chaos.You'll learn how to start class with purpose, build student talk into your everyday structure, and support group work with clarity and confidence. We're also talking about how AI tools can help you build and maintain these routines without spending hours planning.✅ In this episode:Why routines work better than rules3 plug-and-play routines for entry, discourse, and group workTips for launching these routines in the first weeks of schoolHow to use AI to scaffold structure and save your energyA free planning guide to help you get started

What does student engagement really look like in a math classroom?Spoiler: it's not quiet rows, silent worksheets, or step-by-step compliance.In this episode, I'm sharing the story of my Holt student teaching placement—the moment I realized math class could be so much more—and walking through real engagement strategies you can use right now. You'll also hear how AI can help you ditch boring lessons without doubling your workload.✅ In this episode:Why boring math isn't your fault—and why you're not stuck thereWhat I learned from seeing problem-based math instruction in actionThe small shifts that lead to big engagement winsHow AI can help you plan student-centered lessons fasterA free guide to help you start making math more meaningful

Ever launch a project you were sure would be a hit… only for it to totally flop?In this episode, I'm sharing the behind-the-scenes of my first real-world math project—a polished, professionally-designed activity that completely fell apart in the classroom. But that failure? It led to one of my most powerful, student-centered projects yet: Change My Mind.You'll hear what went wrong, how I rebuilt from it, and how AI tools have made it 10x easier to plan projects that actually land—without draining your soul.✅ In this episode:The truth behind my failed “laser maze” projectHow I shifted from burnout to breakthrough with real-world relevanceWhy your projects need to connect to your students—not just the standardsSimple ways AI can support your project planning processA free guide to help you map your first (or next!) student-centered task

What if the most powerful way to shift your math class didn't take a new curriculum—just the first 5 minutes?In this episode, we're exploring how to kick off your class period with warm-ups that build relevance, confidence, and classroom culture. You'll learn how to use thinking routines and real-world tasks to engage students before the lesson even begins—and how to structure those warm-ups to support meaningful math talk.✅ In this episode:Why traditional warm-ups miss the mark—and what to try instead4 powerful warm-up strategies that build buy-in from the startHow to create structure and routine for productive math discourseOne free guide to help you map out your first few weeks

We all want our students to feel like math matters—but what does “relevant” even mean in the classroom? Is it just practical math examples? Spoiler: It's not just about adding real-world word math problems to a worksheet or doing a budget project once a year.In this episode, we're breaking down what relevance really looks like, why it's critical to student engagement, and how to start weaving it into your math class from Day 1.✅ In this episode:Why “relevance” is more than just career connections or life skillsThe different types of math relevance you can tap into right nowQuick strategies to build real-world connections—without blowing up your curriculumA free guide to help you plan with purpose

Big shifts don't require big overhauls. If you've been craving a way to make math more meaningful without throwing out your whole curriculum, this episode is for you.✅ Whether you joined the Bootcamp or not, this is your reminder that bite-sized, student-centered changes—like a mini project—can create real momentum. ✅ You'll hear exactly how small actions this week are already paying off for teachers and how you can take your own next step. ✅ And if you're ready for the tools, support, and confidence to run with it, now's the perfect time to join the Modern Math Teacher Membership.

If you've ever walked out of your math classroom thinking, “Why don't they care? What am I doing wrong?”—this episode is for you. Spoiler alert: You're not the problem. The system is.In this episode, we're digging into: ✅ Why even the best teachers struggle to engage students with scripted, one-size-fits-all math curriculum ✅ What real student engagement actually looks like (hint: it's not loud or flashy) ✅ How to spark meaningful change in your math class—without a full overhaul or replacing your math curriculumYou don't need to throw everything out and start over. You just need one intentional spark to reset your classroom vibe. That's exactly what we're doing this week inside the Create a Kickass Math Class Bootcamp—and it's not too late to join us.

Wondering if the Back to School Bootcamp is for you?You don't need a 180-day curriculum plan. You just need 3 small wins to start the year strong.In this episode, I walk you through what you'll ACTUALLY build inside the Create a Kickass Math Class Bootcamp:✅ Day 1: One first-week spark that sets the tone ✅ Day 2: An anchor task that sparks real thinking ✅ Day 3: A simple year-at-a-glance roadmapIn this episode, I walk you through: ✔️ What you'll build on each of the 3 days ✔️ Why you don't need to be fully ready to get real wins ✔️ How this Bootcamp helps you actually teach differently before school starts

Build Your Dream Math Class in Just 3 Days (Without the Overwhelm)Want a math class that feels more real, relevant, and engaging—but not sure where to start?The (FREE) Create a Kickass Math Class Bootcamp is your answer.If you're ready to build a math class that feels real, relevant, and rigorous — but don't know where to start — this 3-day Bootcamp is your on-ramp.In this episode, I break down: ✅ What we're building during the 3-day bootcamp ✅ Why this is the perfect starting point for teaching differently ✅ How even busy teachers can walk away with real wins ✅ What support, templates, and systems are waiting for you

Worried you're not “techy” enough to transform your teaching with real-world, project-based math? You're not alone—and the good news is: you don't need to be.You don't need to be a tech expert to run engaging, real-world math lessons.In this episode, I'll share: ✔️ Why low-tech strategies still work ✔️ How to build confidence without jumping into complicated tools ✔️ Examples from inside the membership that don't require tech ✔️ How to get the support you need without the overwhelm

Trying to make your math class more engaging, more real, and more relevant—completely alone?Are you still lesson planning alone at your kitchen table? You're not lazy. You're not doing it wrong. You're just trying to do too much without a support system.You were never meant to do this work in isolation.In today's episode, we explore: ✔️ Why planning solo creates decision fatigue ✔️ How collaboration changes your confidence + clarity ✔️ What makes our membership PLCs so powerful (and flexible!) ✔️ How to finally stop spinning your wheels

 If you're tired of buying resources that don't solve your classroom struggles, this episode is for you. I'm giving you a full behind-the-scenes tour of the Modern Math Teacher Membership—and sharing you why it's so much more than just a library of lessons.

There are so many myths out there about teaching real-world math: 

Let's put aside standards and curriculum for a moment.Let's talk about the actual humans in your classroom. Because chances are, you've felt it too:“They deserve more than just what the textbook gives them.”✅ They deserve to see math as meaningful. ✅ They deserve to feel confident and curious — not just compliant. ✅ They deserve your best, even when the system doesn't make it easy.

We've all been there: 

You've seen all the cool Pinterest projects and Instagram reels that make real-world math look effortless. But when you try it in your classroom? 

What if transforming your math classroom didn't require a complete overhaul—just a roadmap?In today's episode, I'm walking you through the 5-stage success path at the heart of the Modern Math Teacher Membership. Whether you're stuck in survival mode or starting to explore project-based learning and real-world applications, this episode will help you see exactly where you are—and what to focus on next.

What if summer wasn't just a break… but a bold reset? In this episode of The Modern Math Teacher Podcast, we're ditching the survival mindset and using summer as a launchpad for a lighter, more aligned school year. Whether you're sipping coffee on the porch or finally clearing out your inbox, this is your invitation to pause—and reimagine.We'll walk through:

Feel like you're the only one in your school trying to make math meaningful?In this episode, I'm getting real about what it's like to teach differently—and the loneliness that can come with it. From being the only math teacher at a brand-new charter school to building a classroom from scratch, I've lived the “lone wolf” life. And if you're there right now, this one's for you.✅ In this episode, we'll talk about:Why teaching differently can feel isolatingMy “lone wolf” story from the charter school daysThe power of shared language, support, and PLCsWhat we're creating inside the Modern Math Teacher MembershipHow to start building your own support system today

Ever feel like lesson planning takes forever—and still falls flat with students?In this episode, I'm sharing the Reality Check, my go-to lesson design framework that helps you quickly build lessons that are real, relevant, and rigorous. Whether you're designing a warm-up, full lesson, or project milestone, this hack saves time and boosts student buy-in.✅ In this episode, you'll learn:How I created the Reality Check after a project flop with MazerTagWhat it actually means to make math real, relevant, and rigorousA quick example using quadratic graphingHow to use AI + the CRAFT framework to streamline planningOne small action step to improve any lesson this week

What if your classroom didn't need more resources—but a better rhythm?In this episode, I'm sharing the one shift that changed everything for me as a math teacher: designing with rhythm. From launching units with anchor activities to structuring daily warm-ups and routines, I'll show you how simple systems lead to better engagement, deeper understanding, and more peace—for you and your students.✅ In this episode, we'll explore:Why teaching is like choreography—and how rhythm creates calmHow I start each unit with an anchor activity students rememberWhat makes warm-ups actually workThe biggest mistake teachers make with structureOne rhythm shift you can try this week

Have you been listening to these episodes thinking, “Yes! This is the kind of math class I want—but I can't do it alone”? Then this episode is for you.Today I'm giving you an inside look at the Modern Math Teacher Membership—what it is, who it's for, and how you can get in early as a founding member. I'll also share the story that inspired it all—the moment everything clicked in my own classroom, when my students took ownership of a project and finally believed that math mattered.In this episode, we'll explore:

You want to do PBL, but every time you think about it… you panic. What if it flops? What if it's chaos? Been there. Done that. In this episode, I'm sharing how I went from panicked to confidently using project-based learning in my classroom—without the mess.Inside this episode: ✔ Why PBL feels chaotic (and why it doesn't have to be) ✔ The biggest mistake teachers make when starting project-based learning ✔ How project milestones create structure and boost learning

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' engagement) ✔ Why it's not about ditching standards—it's about connecting them to your kids

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 Save for Success Project ✔ The litmus test I use to decide if a lesson is worth teaching

Let's talk. Send me a message with your email and I'll get back to you!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 stop talking about ✔ Why cross-curricular work matters more than we give it credit for ✔ A super easy way to make any word problem feel more relevant using AI

Let's talk. Send me a message with your email and I'll get back to you!

Let's talk. Send me a message with your email and I'll get back to you!

Let's talk. Send me a message with your email and I'll get back to you!☀️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.

Let's talk. Send me a message with your email and I'll get back to you!

Let's talk. Send me a message with your email and I'll get back to you!✏️ 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 and Algebra 2.In this episode, you'll get: ✅ A full breakdown of my favorite freebies:✈️ Paper Airplane Math

Let's talk. Send me a message with your email and I'll get back to you!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 fails, the powerful lessons, and the mindset shifts that helped me grow into the teacher I am today.Whether you're in year 1 or year 20, this one's for YOU. Let's celebrate the work we do—and all the messy, beautiful moments in between.

Let's talk. Send me a message with your email and I'll get back to you!

Let's talk. Send me a message with your email and I'll get back to you!

Let's talk. Send me a message with your email and I'll get back to you!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 for students in a way that's practical and sustainable.We're diving into simple, actionable strategies to help you take back control of your time, rethink professional development, and bring real-world connections into your classroom.In this episode, you'll learn:✔️ Time-saving strategies to lighten your workload and avoid burnout.✔️ How to make professional development work for you instead of feeling like another task.✔️ Practical ways to bring real-world connections into your lessons.✔️ The truth about flexible seating and how to design an effective classroom setup.

Let's talk. Send me a message with your email and I'll get back to you!

Let's talk. Send me a message with your email and I'll get back to you!

Let's talk. Send me a message with your email and I'll get back to you!

Let's talk. Send me a message with your email and I'll get back to you!

Let's talk. Send me a message with your email and I'll get back to you!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 away with practical strategies to save time, enhance instruction, and better support students.In this episode, you'll learn:✔️ Why AI is a time-saving tool (not a shortcut!) for teachers.✔️ Three simple ways to use AI for lesson planning and differentiation.✔️ How the CRAFT Prompting Framework helps you get better AI-generated content.

Let's talk. Send me a message with your email and I'll get back to you!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.

Let's talk. Send me a message with your email and I'll get back to you!AI is everywhere—but is it actually useful in math class, or just another tech buzzword?

Let's talk. Send me a message with your email and I'll get back to you!

Let's talk. Send me a message with your email and I'll get back to you!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 relationships are the foundation of a thriving classroom culture.✔️ How to pair rigor with care to boost engagement and help students succeed.✔️ Practical strategies to build relationships and implement meaningful, challenging tasks.

Let's talk. Send me a message with your email and I'll get back to you!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 your math class.✔️ A simple, bonus warm-up strategy you can implement tomorrow—even if you're short on prep time!

Let's talk. Send me a text message! 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 engages students with data analysis, probability, and civic themes.✔️ Simple Presidents' Day activities that tie math to real-world events—even if you don't grab the full project!

Let's talk. Send me a message with your email and I'll get back to you!AI is everywhere—but is it actually useful in math class, or just another tech buzzword?

Let's talk. Send me a text message! 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!