Episode Details

Host Ana Torres is joined by Fawn Nguyen, Director of STEM Initiatives at Amplify, one of the show's most beloved returning guests. A 30-year middle school math teacher and K–8 math coach before she joined Amplify, Fawn shares practical strategies for teaching math in a way that values multiple solutions and makes every student feel like they belong. Fawn breaks down the routines that open math up to every learner and explains why stepping back to let students do the thinking is one of the most powerful moves a teacher can make. Our Classroom Insider, middle school science teacher Eric Cross, joins Ana to reflect on why "I'm not good at math" is usually a scar with a story behind it. He and Ana discuss why widening our definition of success is where healing begins.

Show notes:

• Listen to Fawn Nguyen's first appearance on Beyond My Years.
• Learn more about Amplify Desmos Math.
• Watch Student Centered Math Practices on YouTube. 
• Listen to all of Beyond My Years’ math episodes.
• Follow us on Instagram.
• Subscribe to Beyond My Years.
• Connect with Ana Torres.
• Connect with Eric Cross.

Quotes:

"We can all be mathematicians—not just the fast ones." —Fawn Nguyen

"You're not the answer key. What you say instead is: 'You tell me.'" —Fawn Nguyen

"When you immerse children in critical thinking and problem-solving daily, they show up to problems they've never seen before and they're already in their problem-solving mode." —Fawn Nguyen

"Who wants to teach anything if you know the kids are going to dread it?" —Fawn Nguyen

"Teach in a way that makes you look forward to going back the next day." —Fawn Nguyen

"When success is widened, more students are gonna be able to walk through it." —Eric Cross

"Our anxieties are contagious—so it's important to include adults in the intervention, not just students." —Eric Cross

"We make time for what's important. And if it's valuable, we will create those five minutes." —Ana Torres