The Math We Teach vs. The Math We Need with Ted Dintersmith

Send us Fan MailTed Dintersmith is an education advocate, author, and filmmaker who has spent the past 15 years working alongside educators to rethink what learning should look like in the modern world. He has visited more than 200 schools across all 50 states, listening to teachers and students and studying approaches that prepare young people for real life beyond tests.💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why school math focuses on skills that AI already does better than humans  The disconnect between “math in school” and “math in real life”  How standardized testing has narrowed our definition of intelligence  What meaningful, relevant math learning could look like in classrooms  Why making math practical and engaging can unlock student potential across backgrounds ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:02:44] Ted’s journey from tech investor to education advocate [00:05:37] Why the rise of AI makes today’s math curriculum increasingly obsolete [00:08:55] The “math of life” vs. the “math of school” disconnect [00:12:55] The myth that current math instruction teaches critical thinking [00:16:16] How test-driven systems reward speed over real understanding [00:20:12] Why math should be integrated across subjects, not siloed [00:22:52] Students see schoolwork as irrelevant and why that leads to disengagement [00:25:07] A powerful classroom example: teaching probability through real-world context [00:26:51] How relevance in math can close equity gaps in learning outcomes [00:28:37] Ted’s vision for transforming math into a tool for purpose and real-world problem solving😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.