From AI to Joyful Math Teaching: Ideas You Can Use Tomorrow

In this episode, we share our biggest insights from the 7th annual Make Math Moments Virtual Summit. We highlight powerful sessions that explored ethical AI use, responsive planning, student motivation, and math teacher well-being.

Yvette reflects on Dr. Nicky Newton’s approach to creating AI prompts packed with best practices, while also grappling with the ethical use of tech in education. Jon unpacks Sean Nank’s strategies for addressing teacher trauma and re-centering on purpose. Kyle dives into Nat Banting’s and Jim Strachan’s masterful facilitation styles, and the way their sessions modeled the very teaching moves they aim to promote. Vanessa Vakharia’s talk on how to truly make students care—without bribes—sparked powerful takeaways about motivation, identity, and cultural relevance in math class.

You’ll walk away with:

• Strategies to use AI as a math co-planner with equity and intention
• A practical framework for identifying and rekindling joy in your math teaching
• Insights on designing lessons that respond to multilingual and neurodivergent learners
• Tools to motivate students in math class without bribes or gimmicks
• Facilitation techniques modeled by expert presenters you can bring to your own PD

Tune in to hear what inspired us — and gather fresh ideas to bring back to your own math classroom, coaching cycle, or leadership team.

Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ 

Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com 

Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units 

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Are you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don’t want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.