Peter Liljedahl joins Latrenda and Dewey to explore what it takes to build a “thinking classroom” where students do the heavy lifting.

They discuss what these classrooms look and feel like, why traditional routines often lead to answer-getting instead of real thinking, and practical moves, like random groups, vertical whiteboards, and purposeful tasks, that help every student engage, collaborate, and develop a stronger math identity.

Jenny Bay-Williams and John SanGiovanni join Latrenda and Dewey to discuss building numeracy, strategic fluency, and student agency. They explore why fluency isn’t about memorization or speed drills, how “think time” and classroom routines support reasoning, and how giving students a repertoire of strategies helps them make more confident choices in math.

Solandra Grice-Johnson and Alexis Lien join the podcast to shine a spotlight on mathematical belonging, the feeling that every student has a valued place in the math classroom.

Through stories, insights, and research from the recent issue of the MTLT journal, they unpack how fostering a sense of belonging can strengthen students’ confidence, support their math identity, and transform their relationship with the subject.

• Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK-12 Volume 118 Issue 11 (2025)

In part 2 of their two-part conversation with Vanessa Vakharia, NCTM President Latrenda Knighten and resident-elect, Dewey Gottlieb, continue the discussion on students’ relationships with mathematics and how educators can empower and guide them to realize they are fully capable of understanding it.

Join NCTM President Latrenda Knighten and the new President-elect, Dewey Gottlieb, for part one of a two-part conversation with Vanessa Vakharia.

They'll discuss students’ relationships with mathematics and how educators can empower and guide them to realize they are fully capable of understanding it.

Join NCTM President Latrenda Knighten and the new President-elect, Dewey Gottlieb, as they invite Holly Kreider to discuss daily activities that can create natural opportunities for children to build confidence in math.

• Center for Family Math

This episode of Adding It All Up is sponsored by Prodigy Math.

Lateefah Id-Deen, NCTM 2025 Annual Meeting & Exposition Opening Keynote Speaker, joins Latrenda and Kevin to discuss building meaningful connections with students in the math classroom and leaving behind a legacy a teacher can be proud of.

• Register for the NCTM 2025 Annual Meeting.

This episode of Adding It All Up is sponsored by Prodigy Math.

Elaine Saunders, Zepherine Miller, and Shin Law join the podcast to delve into strategies for setting up a successful school year. From launching meaningful math routines to building strong classroom communities, this episode is packed with practical tips and inspiring insights to help educators start the year with confidence.

This episode of Adding It All Up is sponsored by Prodigy Math.