Why Your Math Coaching Model Isn’t Working — Insights from Jim Strachan

How do you know if your district’s mentoring and coaching efforts are actually making a difference?

Too often, system and instructional leaders focus on program delivery but miss the deeper question: how do we monitor and support the real impact of our math mentorship and coaching practices? In this episode, Jim Strachan returns to explore how leaders can center educator well-being, trust, and professional learning as essential foundations for student success. You'll hear practical insights on how to navigate the complexity of school systems, avoid common blind spots, and create math mentoring relationships that build independence—not dependence.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

• How to recognize whether math mentoring is building true capacity or just going through the motions
• What effective trust-building really looks like—and why it’s not a one-time thing
• A simple but powerful feedback strategy that gives math mentors honest insight into their impact

Press play to explore how you can better monitor and strengthen fluency in mentorship and leadership across your district.

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 

Show Notes Page

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

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.