Send us a text

In this episode, we sit down with Meghan Princehorn, a school social worker, to talk about the powerful connection between social emotional skills and success in the classroom—especially in math. Meghan shares insights from nearly two decades of collaboration and practical strategies you can use right away.

We explore the “window of tolerance” and how it affects a student’s ability to learn, problem-solve, and think clearly. Meghan shares simple ways teachers can help students stay in that optimal zone throughout the day. These skills don’t just calm students—they create the foundation for deeper learning.

This episode is packed with strategies you can put into action right away. If you’re ready to create a classroom where students are confident problem-solvers, you won’t want to miss it.

🎧 Listen now, subscribe to the podcast, and leave a review so more teachers can join the conversation.

Do you believe math class can be more than worksheets + groans?

Same.

That’s why I wrote Word Problem Workshop—out Oct 24!

Join the Launch Crew:
💻 Pre-order
📘 Review
⭐️ Spread the JOY
Perks? Oh yes—swag + fun surprises.

MonaMath.com/LaunchCrew

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!

Send us a text

Talking is my thing—I love it! But in the classroom, I’ve learned it’s not just about giving students time to talk. It’s about teaching them how to discuss math in ways that deepen understanding, build confidence, and move learning forward. In this episode, we dive into the power of math discussions in Step 4 of Word Problem Workshop.

Picture it: students in a circle, shoulder to shoulder, all voices visible and heard. They use hand signals to show they’re ready to speak and call on each other directly. The teacher steps back, guiding when needed, but the conversation belongs to the kids. This structure turns math talk into true collaborative learning.

Step 4 of Word Problem Workshop shows us that math discussions transform learning. Want to dig deeper? Listen to the full episode, subscribe to the podcast, and leave a review.

Do you believe math class can be more than worksheets + groans?

Same.

That’s why I wrote Word Problem Workshop—out Oct 24!

Join the Launch Crew:
💻 Pre-order
📘 Review
⭐️ Spread the JOY
Perks? Oh yes—swag + fun surprises.

MonaMath.com/LaunchCrew

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!

Send us a text

What does it really take to create a classroom where students not only learn math but also trust themselves, their peers, and their teacher? In this episode, I sit down with educator Ed Spicer to talk about building a math classroom community where students are independent, curious, and unafraid of hard things.

A Classroom That Changed Everything

When I first visited Ed Spicer’s 1st grade classroom, I was floored. His students weren’t waiting for instructions—they were running through morning routines on their own, journaling, exercising their brains, and preparing for the day with total independence. In this episode, Ed shares how creating a strong classroom community builds student ownership and transforms learning.

Connect with Ed - edspicer@mac.com

🎧 Listen Now
This episode is packed with insights on building classroom community in math, fostering independence, and helping kids embrace challenges with confidence. Tune in today, subscribe for more conversations like this, and don’t forget to leave a review to help us reach more educators and families!

📘 Want to go deeper? Join my Book Launch Crew and grab your copy of Word Problem Workshop when it drops this fall.

Do you believe math class can be more than worksheets + groans?

Same.

That’s why I wrote Word Problem Workshop—out Oct 24!

Join the Launch Crew:
💻 Pre-order
📘 Review
⭐️ Spread the JOY
Perks? Oh yes—swag + fun surprises.

MonaMath.com/LaunchCrew

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!

Send us a text

Does your math class feel like only a handful of students ever raise their hands while the rest stay silent? Or maybe your students avoid sharing out of fear of being wrong? You’re not alone—many teachers face this challenge. In today’s episode, we’re diving into Step 3 of Word Problem Workshop: the Share, and how it can transform your math classroom into a motivated community of problem-solvers.

When I taught both 1st and 5th grade, I noticed the same pattern—students hesitated to share their thinking. Younger students often relied on a few eager classmates, while older students were afraid of being wrong. This episode starts with that familiar struggle and sets the stage for why Step 3 is such a game changer.

Ready to Transform Your Math Classroom?

If you’re intrigued by this process, make sure to listen to the full episode for classroom-tested strategies and insights. Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a colleague who’s ready to build a stronger math community.

👉 Want more? Be sure to preorder the book where I share all the details, examples, and tools you need to put Word Problem Workshop into action.

Do you believe math class can be more than worksheets + groans?

Same.

That’s why I wrote Word Problem Workshop—out Oct 24!

Join the Launch Crew:
Pre-order
Review
Spread the JOY
Perks? Oh yes—swag + fun surprises.

MonaMath.com/LaunchCrew

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!

Send us a text

What happens when we stop teaching math as a set of steps to memorize and instead create space for students to explore, question, and discover? In this episode, we dig into how shifting our approach to math instruction can transform classrooms—and mindsets.

This episode is packed with insights and practical strategies for making math class more engaging, joyful, and effective. Tune in to hear the full conversation, subscribe for future episodes, and leave a review to help us reach more educators.

💬 If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a teacher friend—it helps more educators discover Word Problem Workshop.

Do you believe math class can be more than worksheets + groans?

Same.

That’s why I wrote Word Problem Workshop—out Oct 24!

Join the Launch Crew:
Pre-order
Review
Spread the JOY
Perks? Oh yes—swag + fun surprises.

MonaMath.com/LaunchCrew

Do you believe math class can be more than worksheets + groans?

Same.

That’s why I wrote Word Problem Workshop—out Oct 24!

Join the Launch Crew:
Pre-order
Review
Spread the JOY
Perks? Oh yes—swag + fun surprises.

MonaMath.com/LaunchCrew

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!

Send us a text

We’ve all heard about the importance of productive struggle in math—but what does it actually look like in practice? In this episode, I share why Grapple Time is one of the most powerful parts of Word Problem Workshop, how to prepare students to persevere, and the exact four teacher moves you can make while students are solving.

Wondering what this looks like day-to-day? I walk you through my four concrete teacher moves during Grapple Time:

1. Scan – Take the first 30 seconds to see who’s stuck, who’s thriving, and where you may need to step in.
2. Walk – Move around the room neutrally, observing and jotting down strategies without telling students what’s “right.”
3. Zone In – Focus on a few students who are showing interesting strategies or who need redirection.
4. Ask – Hold brief conferences, nudging students with questions like, “What are you thinking?” or “How did you start?”

These moves keep you active and intentional without stealing the struggle from students.

🎧 Ready to learn the full details of how to facilitate Grapple Time? Listen to the full podcast episode now!
💬 If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a teacher friend—it helps more educators discover Word Problem Workshop.

Do you believe math class can be more than worksheets + groans?

Same.

That’s why I wrote Word Problem Workshop—out Oct 24!

Join the Launch Crew:
Pre-order
Review
Spread the JOY
Perks? Oh yes—swag + fun surprises.

MonaMath.com/LaunchCrew

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!

Send us a text

It’s a common belief: “My students can’t read, so they need to master simple math first before tackling word problems.” But what if this thinking is actually holding students back? In this episode, we challenge the unproductive idea that kids must learn the basics first, and instead explore how word problems can be the foundation for building math proficiency.

The Word Problem Workshop (WPW) is structured with five predictable steps, and it all begins with the Launch. This step sets the stage, builds excitement, and helps students make sense of the problem before solving. By connecting the task to their background knowledge (like counting apples on a lunch tray), students immediately see how their experiences are valuable tools for problem solving.

🎧 Tune in now to hear the full episode, subscribe to the podcast, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway!
📘 Want more strategies? Join the Word Problem Workshop Book Launch Crew and get early access to tools that will transform your math instruction.

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!

Send us a text

You’ve probably heard the saying “Go slow to go fast” — but what does that actually look like in a math classroom? In this episode, we’re tackling one of the biggest challenges teachers face: balancing the pacing guide with the reality of diverse learners. We’ll dig into why slowing down might actually be the most powerful way to accelerate math proficiency for all students.

🎧 Listen now, subscribe to the podcast, and leave a review to share your biggest takeaway!
📘 Want to go deeper? Join my Book Launch Crew and grab your copy of Word Problem Workshop when it drops this fall.

📒 Word Problem Workshop BOOK coming later this year!

Create a classroom of problem solvers with this 5 step daily routine. Through diving deeply into one problem each day you can increase student engagement, problem solving, & math proficiency!

You don't have to wait for the book...

Word Problem Workshop Online Course is avaliable now!

I'll show you how to...

• engage every student in daily problem solving
• utilize a proven routine that allows students to collaborate, reflect, take risks, and use mistakes as opportunities.
• confidently facilitate a students lead problem solving workshop

Join today right HERE!