Making Math Moments That Matter When Parents Push Back on “New Math”: Building Trust Through Clarity and Confidence
Have you heard a parent ask, “Why are we making math so complicated?” You're not alone.
Many teachers want to move beyond rote procedures—but hit resistance when families raise concerns about “new math.” From social media posts to parent-teacher conferences, the pressure to revert to traditional instruction is real.
But the issue isn’t just parent perception. Often, teachers aren’t yet confident in conceptual models themselves. And without the right support, it’s easy to retreat back to what feels safe.
Listeners Will Learn:
- Why parents often push back on visual models and multiple strategies
- How teacher confidence impacts the success of math shifts
- What leaders can do to support teachers before inviting parents in
- The importance of teacher epiphanies (and how to create them!)
- How to engage families in the why behind conceptual math
- Ideas for parent communication that build trust, not tension
- What it really means to shift the narrative around math understanding
Whether you're a teacher navigating tough conversations or a coach supporting system-wide change, this episode delivers mindset shifts and practical moves to help you stay the course—even when pushback is loud.
Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/
Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com
Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem-based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units
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Are you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don’t want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.