S03E15 - Anna Stokke on on Cutting Through the Noise in Maths Education

16 snips

Sep 13, 2025

Anna Stokke, a Professor at the University of Winnipeg and host of the Chalk and Talk podcast, dives deep into the world of maths education. She shares her journey advocating for evidence-informed teaching practices. Topics include debunking misleading research, the importance of fluency beyond speed, and the dangers of prioritizing engagement over actual learning. Anna also offers practical teaching strategies, like cover-copy-compare and spaced retrieval, to help students build confidence and tackle complex maths effectively.

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ANECDOTE

Parent-Led Catalyst For Change

Anna Stokke started Wise Math after noticing her daughter wasn't learning essential arithmetic in school.
Media attention and parent concern propelled her into public advocacy and outreach in Canada.

ANECDOTE

From Kitchen Club To Nonprofit School

Anna and colleagues turned an after-school club into Archimedes Math Schools to teach grades 4–6.
They used Jump Math, Singapore materials, and university student tutors to build sustained programs.

ADVICE

Demand One Relevant Study

Ask for one peer-reviewed study before accepting any 'research-based' claim.
Demand that the study measures improved math achievement, not just engagement.

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In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers, I sit down with Dr. Anna Stokke—mathematician, professor, and host of the Chalk and Talk podcast—to unpack what really works in maths education. Anna shares her journey from academic research to advocacy, and why she’s become such a strong voice for evidence-informed teaching.

We explore how to separate genuine research from marketing spin, why fluency is about much more than speed, and the dangers of relying on “engagement” as a proxy for learning. Anna also highlights simple, practical strategies—like cover-copy-compare and spaced retrieval—that help students build the confidence they need to tackle more complex maths.

If you’ve ever wondered how to cut through the noise and focus on what truly improves student outcomes, this conversation is packed with insights you can take straight back to your classroom.

Resources mentioned:

Wise Math (advocacy group)
Archimedes Math School
JUMP Math (Canadian maths program)
Singapore Primary Math Program
ResearchEd (conference, where Anna presented)
Chalk and Talk (Anna Stokke’s podcast)

You can connect with Anna:

Twitter/X: @rastokke

Website: https://www.annastokke.com/

You can connect with Brendan:

Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee

Facebook: @learningwithmrlee

Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft

Website: learnwithlee.net

Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:

https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast

About

Dr. Anna Stokke is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Winnipeg. She is a recipient of a 3M National Teaching Fellowship, which is Canada's most prestigious award for teaching excellence and educational leadership at the post-secondary level. She is co-founder and President of the non-profit organization Archimedes Math Schools, which delivers after-school math classes for children. She hosts the popular math education podcast Chalk & Talk, where she discusses evidence-informed math teaching with leading education experts.

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