Chalk & Talk Mailbag: How to get started with evidence-based math instruction & tackle gaps with Jonathan Regino (Ep 55)
Sep 26, 2025
In this discussion, Jonathan Regino, a pre-K–12 math supervisor with extensive teaching experience, dives into addressing knowledge gaps in math education. He shares key insights on evidence-based practices for new teachers and recommends essential books to enhance their teaching skills. The conversation explores the pros and cons of standards-based grading, effective free interventions for students, and strategies to support high school students with significant skill gaps. Regino emphasizes the importance of consistency in grading and the value of community collaboration in improving math instruction.
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Cut The Fluff, Teach High-Value Skills
- Simplify classroom workload: cut low-value 'fluff' lessons and concentrate on the crucial standards needed for later math.
- Use national advisory lists (e.g., National Math Advisory Panel) to identify highest-value content.
Teach One Reliable Method First
- Trust your teaching intuition: discard multiple-strategy myths and teach one reliable method before variety.
- Teach the algorithm, master it, then extend with alternative approaches for deeper understanding.
Teachers Are Right To Feel Overwhelmed
- New teachers feel overwhelmed because university courses often emphasize discovery over clear, evidence-based instruction.
- Self-study, practical books, and focused curriculum choices help bridge that training gap quickly.
