In the second part of our special Beyond My Years two-part math series, Ana is joined by Ian Brown, second-grade teacher at Mukilteo School District in Washington and author of the comic book I Hate Math, for a conversation focused on reducing math anxiety and creating positive math experiences. Ian shares his approach to helping students who genuinely dislike math, describing how he helps them get to a place where math success feels manageable and achievable. Together, Ian and Ana explore the power of honoring students' real feelings; creating classroom environments where mistakes don't carry shame; and using storytelling, humor, and metaphors to make abstract concepts concrete. Finally, Ana is joined by Classroom Insider Eric Cross to discuss making math feel safe, ways to give students both story and stage, and how the foundational work of differentiation and meeting students where they are is critical to the work of educators.

Show notes:

• Read I Hate Math by Ian Brown.
  (Also, for one week, Mr. Brown is making the Kindle Edition of I Hate Math available for free! Mr. Brown asks folks to consider supporting an organization that has helped his school, Operation School Bell.)
• Subscribe to Advice for the Math Classroom on Amplify’s YouTube channel: amplify.com/mathclassroomadvice
• Subscribe to Advice for the Literacy Classroom on Amplify’s YouTube channel: amplify.com/literacyclassroomadvice
• Follow us on Instagram.
• Subscribe to Beyond My Years.
• Connect with Ana Torres.
• Connect with Eric Cross.

Quotes:

"You can't force someone to love something or to like something. But you can kind of talk them into not hating something." —Ian Brown

"I hate shaming children. I hate shaming anyone. I think shame is the most insidious thing in the world." —Ian Brown

"Math is just a description of the world around us. We live in the world, we can do it." —Ian Brown

"I don't attach any value to success or failure. I only attach value to hard work and kindness." —Ian Brown

"It's gonna be a grind. We're gonna be here for 180 some days. Well, let's have fun doing it." —Ian Brown

"You have to feel your feelings so you can think your thoughts." —Eric Cross

"The boring work is the real work." —Eric Cross

"You need both culture and rigor. If you have culture without rigor, then learning is hollow. If you have rigor without culture, that's what made students hate the subject." —Eric Cross

In the first episode of a special Beyond My Year two-part math series, Ana chats with Matt Cash, director of elementary curriculum and instruction for Lake Elsinore Unified School District, in California, about math leadership and change management. Matt shares his experience helping move his district from a localized approach to a unified system to provide centralized resources, professional development, and assessment. Together, Matt and Ana discuss the importance of listening to educators during adoption processes, the power of creating systems that support teachers, and the best ways to build unity around instructional approaches. Matt also shares practical advice for educators navigating curriculum reviews and pilots. Before the episode's end, Ana is joined by Classroom Insider Eric Cross, who reflects on how teachers can use their voices early in adoption processes, pilot with fidelity, and give themselves grace during implementation.

Show notes:

• Check out the full change management bundle — including the change management playbook— at amplify.com/MathChangeManagement
• Subscribe to Advice for the Math Classroom on Amplify's YouTube channel: amplify.com/mathclassroomadvice.
  • Check out our new math change management playlist!
  • Check out our new student-centered math practices playlist!
• Subscribe to Advice for the Literacy Classroom on Amplify's YouTube channel: amplify.com/literacyclassroomadvice.
• Follow us on Instagram.
• Subscribe to Beyond My Years.
• Connect with Ana Torres.
• Connect with Eric Cross.

Quotes:

"When you're removing variability out of your system, quality is going up." —Matt Cash

"Professionals are obsessed with the idea of getting better." —Matt Cash

"Advocate for your kids." —Matt Cash

"Give yourself grace in year one, but stay engaged and keep asking for support." —Eric Cross

"Instead of quietly struggling and going back to old materials, put that energy into requests and make your voice heard." —Eric Cross

"Sometimes the buy-in comes when we understand things better." —Eric Cross

Host Ana Torres and Classroom Insider Eric Cross recently recorded a video with their six takeaways from Season 2 of the Beyond My Years podcast. Listen right here, or watch the takeaways video on our new YouTube channels, linked below.

• Watch: Beyond My Years season two wrap-up
• Catch videos of host Ana Torres and Classroom Insider Eric Cross on our new YouTube Channels:
  • @AdviceForTheMathClassroom
  • @AdviceForTheLiteracyClassroom