Episode 4.22: It's all about Awkward Moments and I&I!

First, it's Awkward Moments Day! So we have... well... an awkward opening to the podcast by Joel and Misty...

Then!
What happens when students who struggle with math suddenly start asking for MORE math problems? When they eagerly show their work to administrators and connect classroom concepts to real-world situations? This transformation isn't magic—it's the result of the Inspirations and Ideas (I&I) curriculum being implemented by passionate educators like Lisa Milner from Armada School in Michigan.

Lisa shares her journey from skepticism to enthusiasm about CPM's approach, describing how winning the I&I Initiative allowed her to attend comprehensive training at the National Teacher Institute. The impact on her classroom has been nothing short of remarkable. "These kids trust me and their classmates," Lisa explains. "They're not afraid to say 'I don't know' or 'how did you do this?'... they're cheering each other on."

The I&I curriculum creates a safe learning environment where students previously hindered by math anxiety now thrive through collaborative problem-solving, reflective journaling, and engaging launches. Beyond just helping students in the support class, Lisa has observed these same students becoming leaders in their regular math courses—participating more actively, helping peers, and showing improved performance on assessments.

For educators frustrated by traditional intervention approaches that emphasize remediation over engagement, I&I offers a transformative alternative focused on building deep mathematical understanding and student confidence. Applications for the I&I Initiative are due by May 1st, with winners receiving fully-funded travel to the National Teacher Institute from June 23-27 in Salt Lake City. Apply here.

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The More Math for More People Podcast is produced by CPM Educational Program.
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