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

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

By: Kristen Moore- High School Algebra Teacher + AI Educator + PBL Coach
Listen for free

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!



© 2026 Moore than Just X, LLC Mathematics Science
Episodes
  • 182 What Is Math Therapy? (And Why You're Probably Already Doing It)

    182 What Is Math Therapy? (And Why You're Probably Already Doing It)
    Jul 7 2026
    Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you!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 EpisodeVanessa 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 schoolA Powerful QuestionWhat 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 ReflectionConsider 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 ChallengeJoin 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/49nV55DComing Next WeekWe'll begin exploring the first of the Five Ms:MythbustWe'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 MovementMore About the Modern Math Teacher PodcastKristen 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!
    Show More Show Less
    13 mins
  • 181 Math Trauma, Teen Talk Barbie, and the Myth of the "Math Person"

    181 Math Trauma, Teen Talk Barbie, and the Myth of the "Math Person"
    Jul 2 2026

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

    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 persistent
    • The surprising connection between Teen Talk Barbie and productive struggle
    • The difference between math anxiety and math trauma
    • How family experiences influence mathematical identity
    • What intervention students have taught me about confidence and resilience
    • Questions 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:

    • Television
    • Movies
    • Social media
    • Advertisements
    • Conversations with friends and family

    Then 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 @moorethanjustx
    • Join 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!
    Show More Show Less
    10 mins
  • 180 Listener Q&A: PBL, Building Thinking Classrooms, Real-World Data & More!

    180 Listener Q&A: PBL, Building Thinking Classrooms, Real-World Data & More!
    Jun 30 2026

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

    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 activity
    • Real-world connections for rational and irrational numbers
    • My favorite places to find authentic data, graphs, and statistics for math lessons
    • Book 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 @moorethanjustx
    • Join 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!
    Show More Show Less
    15 mins
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