In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers, I sit down with Dr. Anna Stokke—mathematician, professor, and host of the Chalk and Talk podcast—to unpack what really works in maths education. Anna shares her journey from academic research to advocacy, and why she’s become such a strong voice for evidence-informed teaching.

We explore how to separate genuine research from marketing spin, why fluency is about much more than speed, and the dangers of relying on “engagement” as a proxy for learning. Anna also highlights simple, practical strategies—like cover-copy-compare and spaced retrieval—that help students build the confidence they need to tackle more complex maths.

If you’ve ever wondered how to cut through the noise and focus on what truly improves student outcomes, this conversation is packed with insights you can take straight back to your classroom.

Resources mentioned:

You can connect with Anna:

Twitter/X: @rastokke

Linkedin

Website: https://www.annastokke.com/

You can connect with Brendan:

Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee

Facebook: @learningwithmrlee

Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft

Website: learnwithlee.net

https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

Dr. Anna Stokke is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Winnipeg. She is a recipient of a 3M National Teaching Fellowship, which is Canada's most prestigious award for teaching excellence and educational leadership at the post-secondary level. She is co-founder and President of the non-profit organization Archimedes Math Schools, which delivers after-school math classes for children. She hosts the popular math education podcast Chalk & Talk, where she discusses evidence-informed math teaching with leading education experts.

The 2025 Australian School Improvement Summit is coming to Sydney on Wednesday 29 October — a one-day event bringing together system leaders, researchers, principals, and expert practitioners to focus on what works in schools, and how to make it happen at scale.

Hear from leading voices like Natalie Wexler (The Knowledge Gap), curriculum expert Dr Ben Jensen, and school leaders Lisa Holt (Rosebud Secondary College), Manisha Gazula (Marsden Road Public School), and Dr Greg Ashman (Ballarat Clarendon College).

If you’re a school leader or educator committed to improving outcomes for every student — and believe in doing fewer things, better — this is an event not to miss.

Special offer for listeners: 20% off full-price tickets with code LearnWithLee.