In this episode, Maegan, Dean, and Kyle get real about their day-to-day journeys with Building Thinking Classrooms. Together, they pull back the curtain to share the "messy reality": the highs, the lows, and the everyday challenges that don't always make the highlight reel. They discuss the universal struggle of getting students to stand, managing complex classroom dynamics with learners from kindergarten to high school, and navigating logistical hurdles like 30-minute class periods. They also celebrate the profound wins that keep them going: the power of math journals, the joy of seeing unexpected students thrive, and the beautiful moments when a classroom truly becomes a community. Tune in for an honest and relatable conversation about why the journey is worth the effort, even when it’s not perfect.

In this episode, Kyle, Maegan, and Dean welcome Vanessa Vakharia, aka The Math Guru and author of Math Therapy. Together, they unpack the deep-seated issue of math trauma and how the Building Thinking Classrooms approach helps us deal with it. The group explores how to create a classroom culture built on empathy and safety by prioritizing questions over answers, while also discussing the importance of progress over perfection, journaling, and helping students develop a stronger math identity. Tune in for a powerful discussion on how to help students build a better relationship with math—one conversation at a time.

After a longer-than-planned break, Kyle, Maegan, and Dean are back! In this candid episode, the trio addresses their podcast hiatus and shares their excitement to reconnect with the community. Dean and Maegan dive into powerful stories from their first day back in the classroom, while Kyle reflects on his role in professional development and his passion for getting back into classrooms to learn from other teachers. They discuss how they get students into a state of flow, the importance of small wins, and their goals for the year, including improving assessment and fostering numerical flexibility. Tune in to hear about their on-the-ground experiences and get a preview of what’s to come this season.

Links:

• The Thinking Desk: https://thethinkingdesk.com/
• BTC K-5 Task Book: Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom, Grades K-5 by Peter Liljedahl and Maegan Giroux
• BTC 6-12 Task Book (Coming Oct 2025): Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom, Grades 6-12 by Peter Liljedahl and Kyle Webb