Schools are caught between too much pressure (think: endless monitoring, weaponized data, and stressed-out teachers) and too much support with zero urgency (a.k.a. “We’ll get to it someday”). And let’s be real—sometimes, it feels like there’s neither pressure nor support, just a vague hope that things will magically improve.

In this episode, we explore the critical balance between pressure and support when implementing sustainable math improvement plans.

Achieving widespread change and full adoption of strategies or resources requires skilled facilitation and clear role definition. We discuss how to ensure every stakeholder—leaders, coaches, and teachers —understands their part in driving progress.

You'll leave with actionable insights to build momentum, foster alignment, and create lasting impact in your math program.

What Listeners Will Get From This Episode:

• An understanding of why balancing pressure and support is essential for sustainable math improvement.
• Strategies for skilled facilitation that drive alignment and progress.
• Insights into the roles of leaders and coaches in achieving widespread change.
• Actionable ideas to foster collaboration and clarity among all stakeholders.
• Tools to measure progress and maintain accountability throughout the improvement process.

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

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.

Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.

Take the assessment

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.

Are you struggling to help students who seem years behind their classmates catch up in math?

This episode dives into a practical, step-by-step approach for using targeted, small-group instruction to close gaps quickly guided by formative assessment—so you can ensure every student feels confident and capable in your math classroom.

We speak with Jacqueline Williams-Wedner, a dedicated math educator with nearly 30 years of experience teaching 3rd through 5th grade in Brooklyn and Farmingdale and coaching educators by exploring math concepts.

What you’ll learn:

• Uncover an easy-to-follow formative assessment cycle that pinpoints misconceptions and drives immediate next steps.
• Explore concrete strategies to strengthen your own content knowledge and adapt instruction on the fly.
• Learn how to create a supportive math culture that keeps even your most reluctant learners asking, “When do I get to do math again?”

Press play on this episode now to discover a transformative way of teaching and using formative assessment that boosts student engagement, fills skill gaps, and ignites a deeper love for math.en techniques that transform passive lessons into engaging, dialogue-driven experiences.

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

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.

Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.

Take the assessment

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.

Are you a K-12 math coordinator looking for ways to spark genuine, productive discourse among students and teachers instead of just “covering” the curriculum?

If you’re eager to move beyond the checklists and pacing guides and ensure your teachers truly embrace strategies like student-to-student discussions, this episode will help you strengthen your role as an instructional leader and coach.

You’ll learn:

• Uncover how to set precise goals for classroom discourse that teachers can genuinely implement.
• Learn a simple, effective rubric approach for measuring progress in student-centered instruction.
• Discover practical tips to gain teacher buy-in and shape a culture where students take ownership of their learning.

Press play now to empower your math team with proven techniques that transform passive lessons into engaging, dialogue-driven experiences.

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

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.

Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.

Take the assessment

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.