Shows
Math: Universally SpeakingEpidode 10: Productive Math Struggle with Kevin Dykema🎙️ Episode 10: Productive Math Struggle with Kevin DykemaJoin nationally recognized math educator and former NCTM President Kevin Dykema as he unpacks what productive math struggle really means—and what it doesn't. In this powerful conversation, Kevin shares reflections from his 26 years in the classroom, his leadership at NCTM, and his co-authored book Productive Math Struggle. Hear how he advocates for equitable math instruction that moves students beyond memorization toward deep understanding. If you're looking for practical, honest insights about how to support all learners through meaningful struggle, this episode is for you.2025-05-2029 min
Adding It All UpWords Count Too: Literacy in Math LearningLatrenda Knighten and Kevin Dykema invite Susie Katt and Dave Ebert to discuss the connection between literacy and mathematics—and why integrating reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills into math instruction can transform student understanding.Related events and resources:NCTE-NCTM Joint Conference for Elementary Literacy and MathematicsJune 16-18 | ChicagoExamining The Connections Between Elementary Mathematics and LiteracyMay 2024 | Adding It All Up Podcast This episode of Adding It All Up is sponsored by Prodigy Math.2025-05-0732 minAdding It All Up2024 In Review: Mathematics Education Evolved...and What's Next in 2025NCTM’s Kevin Dykema and Latrenda Knighten recap the 2024 year, highlighting areas of growth in meeting the needs of students, publications, and conferences and discussing what they hope to see in 2025. 2025-02-2044 minAdding It All UpThe Power of Proactive Coaching: Transforming Math LeadershipNCTM’s Kevin Dykema and Latrenda Knighten invite two coaching experts, Courtney Baker and Melinda Knapp, to the podcast to discuss their book, Proactive Mathematics Coaching, Bridging Content, Context, and Practice, and the power of the proactive coaching framework, which helps math leaders refine their practices.Purchase a copy of Proactive Mathematics Coaching: Bridging Content, Context, and PracticeRegister for NCTM Book Study: Catalyzing Change Through Proactive Mathematics Coaching2025-01-2241 min
Blue Glasses Math"OH, now I get It!" Kevin Dykema's Lessons on Shifting Perspectives in Math ClassKevin Dykema always excelled at math as a student, mastering formulas and solving problems with ease. But when he stepped into the classroom as a teacher, he realized that true understanding of math goes far beyond surface-level memorization—it’s about deeply engaging with concepts to guide others on their learning journeys.
In this inspiring episode, Kevin, former president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), shares his story of transformation. We discuss the challenges of moving from procedural expertise to conceptual understanding, why embracing mistakes is essential for learning, and how teachers can create clas...2025-01-1524 min
Room to Grow - a Math PodcastWhat we’ve learned this yearIn this episode of Room to Grow, Joanie and Curtis reflect on their personal and professional experiences of 2024 and what they learned. Reflect – conferences, books, podcast guests. Thinking differently about teaching and learning math. Hope you’ll take the time to reflect and capture your own learning.Curtis and Joanie reference these episodes of Room to Grow which aired in 2024:·    Teaching and Learning Math: Students’ Perspectives Part 1 (aired August 28, 2024) and Part 2 (aired September 17, 2024)·    Routines for Supporting Student Thinking with Grace Kelemanik and Amy Lucenta (aired October 16, 2023)·    Unl...2024-12-1735 minAdding It All UpPlay By Play: Strategies to Empower Students in the ClassroomNCTM’s Kevin Dykema and Latrenda Knighten invite three mathematics teachers, Alyssa Schexnayder (elementary school), Maggie McHugh (middle school), and Joe Bolz (high school) to the podcast to discuss developing teacher playbooks and how to empower students to learn.2024-12-1637 min
Making Math Moments That MatterHigh School Mathematics Reimagined, Revitalized, and Relevant: An Interview with Two NCTM presidentsHow can we reimagine high school math to truly prepare students for the real world? Hear from Kevin Dykema and Latrenda Knighten, two NCTM presidents, one past and one current, who are leading the charge to make math relevant, revitalized, and engaging.High school math often feels disconnected from students' futures, leaving many wondering, "Why do we need this?" This episode dives into the practical steps educators and leaders can take to transform math classrooms into spaces where every student feels the relevance and power of mathematics.Discover actionable strategies from Kevin Dykema, past N...2024-12-0943 minAdding It All UpForward Thinking in the Math ClassroomNCTM’s Chonda Long takes over hosting duties for this episode of Adding It All Up and asks new NCTM President, Latrenda Knighten, and NCTM Past President, Kevin Dykema, about diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in modern-day math classrooms. 2024-11-2041 minRoom to Grow - a Math PodcastHigh School Mathematics Reimagined Revitalized and RelevantIn this episode of Room to Grow, Joanie and Curtis speak with leaders of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) about their recent publication, High School Mathematics Reimagined, Revitalized and Relevant. Latrenda Knighten, NCTM President and Kevin Dykema, NCTM Past-President share a great overview of how rethinking how and what we teach in high school math can be improved so that more students leave high school prepared. This preparation involves not only knowing more mathematics, but believing in their capability as math learners and in their preparation for whatever path they have chosen for themselves after graduating.2024-11-1255 min
Strength In NumbersDifferent Continents, Same Challenges: Learning Lessons from American Mathematics Teachers.The maths education pedagogy war, the role of questioning, inquiry based teaching, pedagogical paralysis, developing students who appreciate mathematics, and more. President of the American NCTM and 8th grade teacher of over 25 years, Kevin Dykema, and AAMT’s own president and maths education academic, Catherine Attard, join Allan to talk about the challenges universal to mathematics teaching regardless of hemisphere. They explore methods to choose the right pedagogy for the right moment, how there is no single cure-all solution to mathematics teaching, the seven key components of explicit teaching, lessons to learn from other teachers, and how st...2024-10-1526 minAdding It All UpThe New Three "Rs" of High School MathematicsKristi Martin and Jenny Novak, lead writers of High School Mathematics: Reimagined, Revitalized, and Relevant, join Kevin Dykema and Latrenda Knighten on this episode of Adding It All Up to discuss the new book and how reimagining and revitalizing are essential in making mathematics more relevant for students.2024-09-2523 min
Math TherapyWe're not teaching content, we're teaching students w/ Kevin DykemaText us about this episode!Having attended and presented at the annual NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) conference, Vanessa reached out to "famously nice guy" Kevin Dykema, the organization's President, to learn more about his journey to the top. Along the way she was surprised to learn that even he battles imposter syndrome, and the way he's learned to deal with it is by "learning what he doesn't know" and not being afraid to reach out for help.Today's conversation covered the pros and cons of professional development, advice on how teachers can a...2024-09-1243 min
More Math for More PeopleEpisode 4.6: Where Joel and Misty talk about sprinkles and complete their conversation with Kevin DykemaIt's National Sprinkle Day! So, of course, Joel and Misty first discuss how they use sprinkles, different names for sprinkles, and some other interesting facts about them. How will you celebrate? Then they have the final part of their conversation about productive struggle in math class with Kevin Dykema, the President of NCTM. If you missed parts one and two, then rewind back to June 25 to start from the beginning. To connect with Kevin:X: @ kdykemaInstagram: dykemamathLinkedIn: kevin-dykemaThen, Joel and Misty google some higher level math jokes. May...2024-07-2336 minMore Math for More PeopleEpisode 4.5: Where Joel and Misty talk about sugar cookies and have part 2 of their conversation with Kevin DykemaJoin Joel and Misty as they celebrate National Sugar Cookie Day. Learn about when sugar cookies first were made and revel in fun facts like Pillsbury's world record for most cookies iced in one hour. Next, they continue their thought-provoking conversation with Kevin Dykema, president of NCTM, about promoting productive struggle in math classrooms. They talk about how teachers can balance encouraging perseverance with timely intervention to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They'll also discuss moving beyond procedural knowledge to make math more engaging and relevant, and highlight the importance of teacher collaboration and active listening t...2024-07-0926 minMore Math for More PeopleEpisode 4.4: Where Joel and Misty reminisce about the Beatles and begin a conversation with Kevin Dykema about Productive Math StruggleIt's Global Beatles Day! So first of all, Joel and Misty talk about the impact of the Beatles and their memories of them. Then it's part 1 of a conversation with Kevin Dykema. Kevin is the current President of NCTM and a 25-year middle school teacher from Michigan. He's also the co-author of Productive Math Struggle: A 6-Point Action Plan for Fostering Perseverance. Part 1 includes how to get stakeholders on board with productive struggle in math class.To connect with Kevin:X: @ kdykemaInstagram: dykemamathLinkedIn: kevin-dykemaAlso, Morgan Normand, one o...2024-06-2524 min
The Disagreement11: The Math WarsToday's disagreement is about the "math wars."The "math wars” is a debate happening in K-12 education about the best way to teach math. Broadly speaking, there are two camps that have conflicting pedagogical approaches:Explicit instruction focuses on procedural fluency, guided practice, and repetition.Inquiry-based instruction focuses on conceptual understanding, open-ended problems, and productive struggle.This is an incredibly high-stakes debate — especially if you have children or loved ones that are currently receiving K-12 math instruction. To explore its contours, we’ve brought on two math education expertsThe Gu...2024-06-0437 minAdding It All UpExamining The Connections Between Elementary Mathematics and LiteracyMaria Franquiz joins Kevin Dykema and Latrenda Knighten to discuss why it's crucial for educators to emphasize both math and literacy skills in the early grades, and how this collaboration can help integrate mathematics, language arts, and culture to engage elementary learners. Get more on this topic at the upcoming joint conference for elementary literacy and mathematics, hosted by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the National Council of Teachers of English. 2024-05-1628 minAdding It All UpExploring the Impact of the Landmark Publication: Principles to ActionsIn celebration of the 10th anniversary of NCTM's landmark publication, Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All, hosts Kevin Dykema and Latrenda Knighten examine its impact with lead authors Steve Leinwand, Deann Huinker, and Dan Brahier.2024-04-1829 minRoom to Grow - a Math PodcastBalancing Instructional ModalitiesIn this episode of Room to Grow, our hosts look for the balance between instruction that is teacher-driven, traditional lecture-style, and inquiry-based, discovery-style lessons. They recognize the value of both types of teaching, understanding that there is a time in learning for both exploration and for direct and explicit teaching. The conversation offers explanation of what conditions may require different teaching strategies, based on the goals and content of the lesson as well as how students are responding to and progressing (or not) toward intended learning. The common theme between these approaches is student sense-making, an...2024-03-1237 minMaking Math Moments That MatterCrafting a Productive Math Struggle in Your Math ClassroomIn this episode we speak with veteran Grade 8 classroom teacher, author and current NCTM President, Kevin Dykema.Kevin spends time with us to unpack why productive struggle is a necessary part of an effective mathematics program, what we can do now to plan and implement lessons that place students in a productive struggle and how we might get key stakeholders convinced that learning in a math classroom that might look different than the one they remember can be a good thing for students.You’ll Learn: W...2022-11-0744 minRoom to Grow - a Math PodcastIntervention for Middle and High School with Kevin DykemaIn this episode of Room to Grow, Curtis and Joanie welcome Kevin Dykema, new President of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). As a practicing classroom teacher, Kevin brings practical knowledge to his NCTM leadership. He reflects on they ways that most school systems have historically addressed students who are struggling in math class, to give them more-of-the-same, or a slower-and-louder approach, and how these typically don’t result in resolving students’ struggles.Kevin suggests how to decide which mathematics topics are worth intervening on, recognizing that if we worry about student mastery of every sing...2022-09-1236 min