Relationship building is the gatekeeper you need to reach students academically, make long-lasting impact in their lives, and help them move mountains. Educator, speaker, and author, Andrea “Fitz” Fitzgerald knows this. A self-described “efficacy-builder,” Fitz focuses her work on helping students, teachers, and leaders to conquer their challenges and prove to themselves that they CAN do hard things when they put their mind to it, which opens opportunities to them in the future.

However, Fitz hasn’t always understood the importance of empowering students to believe in themselves. In her first few years as a math teacher, Fitz discovered the hard way that teaching is about more than just the math. Her retelling of two key moments are not only humorous and heart-warming, but will inspire you to prioritize this ‘softer side’ of education. Listen in to this episode to hear how taking the time to see students for who they really are provides opportunities to uncover biases and replace limiting beliefs in order to support them in reaching their goals. For more information, and to access show notes and related resource links for this episode, go to www.mindfulmathcoach.com/episode13.