61: My Students Tried to Get Me Fired: A Radical Math Story | Pam Brett

Pam shares a powerful story of transformation from the front lines of education. When she stepped into a new role teaching eighth-grade math, her students were labeled the worst in the district—and within weeks, they tried to get her fired. But instead of giving up, Pam trusted a gut instinct, threw out the traditional textbooks, and leaned into a new way of teaching that prioritized discussion, exploration, and student voices. What followed was a profound shift—not just in academic engagement, but in classroom culture, student confidence, and human connection. This episode is a must-listen for educators, parents, and anyone who believes in second chances and the power of belief. Find Pam Here: https://www.blueglassesmath.org/ --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Pam's Story 06:30 – Did they end up liking math? 10:30 – Starting with the answer: a new kind of problem 15:30 – Making mistakes normal and safe 21:00 – Why math matters more than you think --- Keywords: math education story classroom transformation middle school teacher story how to teach math creatively student engagement in math overcoming teacher burnout eighth grade teaching story math mindset shift pamela brett blue glasses math tina’s arena podcast Hashtags: #MathEducation #TeacherLife #BlueGlassesMath #EducationTransformation #TinasArena #MiddleSchool #TeacherInspiration #ClassroomMagic #RealTalk #PodcastClips