Not all real-world math is created equal.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what makes a math project actually relevant to your students—and how to make math feel meaningful without needing a full curriculum rewrite.

 You’ll learn what students really care about, how to design your first spark of engagement, and how to use AI tools to help personalize your next project in seconds.

✅ In this episode:

• Why some real-world math projects fall flat
• What makes students buy into a math task (hint: it’s not just budgeting!)
• Examples of topics and formats students actually care about
• How to start small and build a real-world spark
• How AI can support you in designing faster and smarter
• A free tool to help you plan your first (or next!) student-centered project
  
  
  

🔗 Resources & Links:
📘 Grab the Gold Standard Project Planner to map out your next student-centered project with confidence
 → http://moorethanjustx.com/projectplanner

🎧 Subscribe to the podcast: https://pod.link/1692336821
📢 Join our free teacher community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/modern-math-teacher

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Relevance = personal, practical, or conceptual meaning for students
• You don’t need a full PBL unit to start—you need one intentional spark
• Projects land better when they connect to what students are already thinking and talking about
• AI can save you time brainstorming topics, building tasks, and personalizing for your class

Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

• Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
• Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.

Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!

*Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

Ready to stop managing behavior and start supporting student thinking?

In this episode, we’re breaking down the three essential classroom routines every secondary math teacher needs—especially if you're trying to run a student-centered classroom without constant chaos.

You’ll learn how to start class with purpose, build student talk into your everyday structure, and support group work with clarity and confidence.

 We’re also talking about how AI tools can help you build and maintain these routines without spending hours planning.

✅ In this episode:

• Why routines work better than rules
• 3 plug-and-play routines for entry, discourse, and group work
• Tips for launching these routines in the first weeks of school
• How to use AI to scaffold structure and save your energy
• A free planning guide to help you get started
  
  
  

🔗 Resources & Links:

📘 Download the Project or Practice Expert Guide – your first step toward building routines for relevance and rigor
→ https://moorethanjustx.com/guide

🎧 Subscribe to the podcast: https://pod.link/1692336821
📢 Join our free teacher community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/modern-math-teacher

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Routines = clarity = fewer behavior issues
• Entry routines, math talk norms, and group structures give students purpose and predictability
• AI can help generate, visualize, and maintain routines all year long
• You don’t need to do it all. Start with one routine and build from there.
  
  
  

Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

• Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
• Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.

Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!

*Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

What does student engagement really look like in a math classroom?

Spoiler: it’s not quiet rows, silent worksheets, or step-by-step compliance.

In this episode, I’m sharing the story of my Holt student teaching placement—the moment I realized math class could be so much more—and walking through real engagement strategies you can use right now.
 You’ll also hear how AI can help you ditch boring lessons without doubling your workload.

✅ In this episode:

• Why boring math isn’t your fault—and why you’re not stuck there
• What I learned from seeing problem-based math instruction in action
• The small shifts that lead to big engagement wins
• How AI can help you plan student-centered lessons faster
• A free guide to help you start making math more meaningful
  
  
  

🔗 Resources & Links:

📘 Grab the free Project or Practice Expert Guide
→ https://moorethanjustx.com/guide

🎧 Subscribe to the podcast: https://pod.link/1692336821
📢 Join our free teacher community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/modern-math-teacher

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Engagement isn’t about entertainment—it’s about ownership
• Relevance starts with real-world connections students actually care about
• AI can help you level up your instruction without burning out
• You don’t need to do everything—just take the first step

Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

• Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
• Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.

Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!

*Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

Ever launch a project you were sure would be a hit… only for it to totally flop?

In this episode, I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes of my first real-world math project—a polished, professionally-designed activity that completely fell apart in the classroom.

 But that failure? It led to one of my most powerful, student-centered projects yet: Change My Mind.

You’ll hear what went wrong, how I rebuilt from it, and how AI tools have made it 10x easier to plan projects that actually land—without draining your soul.

✅ In this episode:

• The truth behind my failed “laser maze” project
• How I shifted from burnout to breakthrough with real-world relevance
• Why your projects need to connect to your students—not just the standards
• Simple ways AI can support your project planning process
• A free guide to help you map your first (or next!) student-centered task
  
  

🔗 Resources & Links:
📘 Grab the Project or Practice Expert Guide 

→ https://moorethanjustx.com/guide

🎧 Subscribe to the podcast: https://pod.link/1692336821
📢 Join our free Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/modern-math-teacher

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Even great projects can flop if they don’t connect to your students.
• Real-world math becomes powerful when it’s personal and relevant.
• You don’t have to start from scratch—AI tools can help you scaffold faster and smarter.
• You’re not doing it wrong. You just need a better way.
  
  
  

Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

• Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
• Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.

Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!

*Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

What if the most powerful way to shift your math class didn’t take a new curriculum—just the first 5 minutes?

In this episode, we’re exploring how to kick off your class period with warm-ups that build relevance, confidence, and classroom culture. You’ll learn how to use thinking routines and real-world tasks to engage students before the lesson even begins—and how to structure those warm-ups to support meaningful math talk.

✅ In this episode:

• Why traditional warm-ups miss the mark—and what to try instead
• 4 powerful warm-up strategies that build buy-in from the start
• How to create structure and routine for productive math discourse
• One free guide to help you map out your first few weeks
  
  
  

🔗 Resources & Links:
📘 Download the Project or Practice Expert Guide – your free step-by-step tool to plan engaging, student-centered math tasks from Day 1
 👉 Download Now

🎧 Subscribe to the podcast here: https://pod.link/1692336821

💡 Key Takeaways:

• A strong warm-up is more than review—it’s a ritual that builds trust, curiosity, and critical thinking. The best way to start student engagement in the day!
• You don’t have to start with a big project. Small, intentional moves make a big difference in student engagement.
• With the right guide and a few simple routines, you can transform your class in the first 5 minutes.

Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

• Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
• Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.

Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!

*Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

We all want our students to feel like math matters—but what does “relevant” even mean in the classroom? Is it just practical math examples? 

Spoiler: It’s not just about adding real-world word math problems to a worksheet or doing a budget project once a year.

In this episode, we’re breaking down what relevance really looks like, why it’s critical to student engagement, and how to start weaving it into your math class from Day 1.

✅ In this episode:

• Why “relevance” is more than just career connections or life skills
• The different types of math relevance you can tap into right now
• Quick strategies to build real-world connections—without blowing up your curriculum
• A free guide to help you plan with purpose
  
  
  

🔗 Resources & Links:
📘 Download the Project or Practice Expert Guide – your step-by-step tool to design engaging tasks that make math meaningful
 👉 https://moorethanjustx.com/guide

🎧 Subscribe to the podcast: https://pod.link/1692336821

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Math becomes relevant when students see a connection to their identity, interests, or the world around them.
• You don’t need a full-blown project—one intentional question or warm-up can create powerful buy-in.
• Starting with a real world math or relevant task can shape the tone of your classroom all year long.
  
  

Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

• Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
• Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.

Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!

*Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

Big shifts don’t require big overhauls. If you’ve been craving a way to make math more meaningful without throwing out your whole curriculum, this episode is for you.

✅ Whether you joined the Bootcamp or not, this is your reminder that bite-sized, student-centered changes—like a mini project—can create real momentum.
 ✅ You’ll hear exactly how small actions this week are already paying off for teachers and how you can take your own next step.
 ✅ And if you're ready for the tools, support, and confidence to run with it, now’s the perfect time to join the Modern Math Teacher Membership.

💥 Join the Modern Math Teacher Membership (Open through August 10!): Join Today!
 

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Mini real world math projects are powerful, low-risk ways to build engagement and confidence in your classroom.
• It’s not about doing everything—it’s about doing something small and intentional.
• You don’t have to do this alone—the membership gives you the tools, math projects, and community to help you every step of the way.
  
  
  

Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

• Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
• Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.

Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!

*Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

If you’ve ever walked out of your math classroom thinking, “Why don’t they care? What am I doing wrong?”—this episode is for you.
 Spoiler alert: You’re not the problem. The system is.

In this episode, we’re digging into:
 ✅ Why even the best teachers struggle to engage students with scripted, one-size-fits-all math curriculum
 ✅ What real student engagement actually looks like (hint: it’s not loud or flashy)
 ✅ How to spark meaningful change in your math class—without a full overhaul or replacing your math curriculum

You don’t need to throw everything out and start over. You just need one intentional spark to reset your classroom vibe. That’s exactly what we’re doing this week inside the Create a Kickass Math Class Bootcamp—and it’s not too late to join us.

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:
💥 Join the Bootcamp (before doors close!): moorethanjustx.com/bootcamp
🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://pod.link/1692336821
📢 Join our free teacher community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/modern-math-teacher

💡 Key Takeaways:

• You are not boring—your math curriculum might just be out of touch with what your students need.
• Engagement doesn’t mean being a performer—it means creating choice, challenge, and connection.
• One small change (like a warm-up, anchor task, or mini project) can totally reset your classroom culture.
  
  

Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

• Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
• Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.

Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!

*Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

Wondering if the Back to School Bootcamp is for you?

You don’t need a 180-day curriculum plan.
 You just need 3 small wins to start the year strong.

In this episode, I walk you through what you’ll ACTUALLY build inside the Create a Kickass Math Class Bootcamp:

✅ Day 1: One first-week spark that sets the tone
 ✅ Day 2: An anchor task that sparks real thinking
 ✅ Day 3: A simple year-at-a-glance roadmap

In this episode, I walk you through:
 ✔️ What you’ll build on each of the 3 days
 ✔️ Why you don’t need to be fully ready to get real wins
✔️ How this Bootcamp helps you actually teach differently before school starts

🎯 Save your seat here: https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/bootcamp

📩 DM me @moorethanjustx if you have questions!

Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

• Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
• Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.

Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!

*Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!

Build Your Dream Math Class in Just 3 Days (Without the Overwhelm)

Want a math class that feels more real, relevant, and engaging—but not sure where to start?

The (FREE) Create a Kickass Math Class Bootcamp is your answer.

If you’re ready to build a math class that feels real, relevant, and rigorous — but don’t know where to start — this 3-day Bootcamp is your on-ramp.

In this episode, I break down:
 ✅ What we’re building during the 3-day bootcamp
 ✅ Why this is the perfect starting point for teaching differently
 ✅ How even busy teachers can walk away with real wins
 ✅ What support, templates, and systems are waiting for you

🎯 Save Your Seat for the 🆓Bootcamp
 👉 https://moorethanjustx.myflodesk.com/bootcamp

Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you!

This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There.

Connect with Kristen:

• Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx
• Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement

More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast

Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms.

Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together!

*Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!