Making Math Moments That Matter

Beyond the Helper Zone: Strategies for Sustainable Math Coaching Impact


Listen Later

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


Its time to break free from the "helper zone" and step into your role as a thought partner. If you find yourself stuck providing quick fixes—like working with individual students or reteaching concepts—this episode is for you. Learn how to redefine your role by clearly communicating your purpose, collaborating with teachers through co-planning, facilitating learning walks, and using reverse coaching to model effective practices. You'll discover actionable strategies to build trust and empower teachers, ensuring your coaching efforts lead to sustainable instructional change.


Key Takeaways:

  • Ensure the staff understands your role as a thought partner, not just a helper.
  • Clearly outline the services you provide and how they align with professional growth.
  • Identify which teachers or teams are ready to shift from relying on quick fixes to engaging in collaborative problem-solving.
  • Use strategies like co-planning, peer observations, and learning walks to build teacher capacity and foster shared ownership.
  • Invite teachers to observe you during a training or meeting to demonstrate effective coaching practices.
  • Focus on long-term solutions that address root causes, ensuring your impact extends beyond individual interventions.
  • Collaborate with school leaders to reinforce your role and create systems that support your work.

This episode equips you with the tools to redefine your coaching role and drive meaningful, lasting change in your school community.

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.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Making Math Moments That MatterBy Kyle Pearce & Jon Orr

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

418 ratings


More shows like Making Math Moments That Matter

View all
TED Radio Hour by NPR

TED Radio Hour

21,911 Listeners

Freakonomics Radio by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Freakonomics Radio

32,234 Listeners

Planet Money by NPR

Planet Money

30,682 Listeners

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! by NPR

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

38,880 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

113,519 Listeners

Up First from NPR by NPR

Up First from NPR

56,989 Listeners

The Indicator from Planet Money by NPR

The Indicator from Planet Money

9,558 Listeners

Everything Happens with Kate Bowler by Everything Happens Studios

Everything Happens with Kate Bowler

5,140 Listeners

The Build Math Minds Podcast by Christina Tondevold

The Build Math Minds Podcast

137 Listeners

Melissa & Lori Love Literacy ® | Science of Reading for Teachers by Supported by Great Minds

Melissa & Lori Love Literacy ® | Science of Reading for Teachers

441 Listeners

Science of Reading: The Podcast by Amplify Education

Science of Reading: The Podcast

645 Listeners

Math is Figure-Out-Able! by Pam Harris, Kim Montague

Math is Figure-Out-Able!

258 Listeners

SmartLess by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett

SmartLess

58,519 Listeners

Think Thank Thunk by Kyle Webb

Think Thank Thunk

22 Listeners

Math Chat by Mona Iehl

Math Chat

36 Listeners