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/---TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Pam's Story06:30 – 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 storyclassroom transformationmiddle school teacher storyhow to teach math creativelystudent engagement in mathovercoming teacher burnouteighth grade teaching storymath mindset shiftpamela brett blue glasses mathtina’s arena podcastHashtags:#MathEducation #TeacherLife #BlueGlassesMath #EducationTransformation #TinasArena #MiddleSchool #TeacherInspiration #ClassroomMagic #RealTalk #PodcastClips