Adding It All Up

Karen Karp, Chair of the Mathematics Education Trust (MET), joins the podcast to discuss how MET's grants, scholarships, awards, and donor support have empowered educators, fueled innovative classroom projects, advanced research, and recognized leaders across the profession for 50 years.Help MET Reach $50,000 for 50 Years of Impact. Give today.Learn more about MET Grants, Scholarships, and Awards.

Join NCTM President Latrenda Knighten and President-elect Dewey Gottlieb as they welcome guests Amber Williams and David Forbes to discuss the TEAMS (Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science) competition and NCTM's new partnership with TSA (Technology Student Association). Together, they explore how collaborative problem solving, communication, and real-world applications of mathematics help students deepen their understanding, build confidence, and experience mathematics as a team endeavor.NCTM-TSA Partnership Announcement2027 TEAMS Competition Learn more about TSA 

Latrenda and Dewey welcome Jenn Reeder and Chad O’Brien onto the podcast to explore how strong collaboration between administrators and math teachers can transform mathematics learning. They discuss the importance of building trust, supporting productive struggle, fostering meaningful student discourse, and creating classroom environments where students feel empowered to think, question, and grow.

Francis Su joins Latrenda and Dewey on the podcast to explore how teaching in mathematics is about more than content delivery. They cover the importance of building relationships, fostering curiosity, and creating meaningful human connections in the classroom. 

Latrenda and Dewey welcome Ken Ono to the podcast to discuss the evolving role of mathematics during Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month. Discover how data, artificial intelligence, and real-world applications—from classroom investigations to Olympic swimming performance—are reshaping how we think about math education.More:Mathematics and Statistics Awareness MonthKen Ono on XKen Ono - Open Scholar

Peter Liljedahl joins Latrenda and Dewey to explore what it takes to build a “thinking classroom” where students do the heavy lifting. They discuss what these classrooms look and feel like, why traditional routines often lead to answer-getting instead of real thinking, and practical moves, like random groups, vertical whiteboards, and purposeful tasks, that help every student engage, collaborate, and develop a stronger math identity.

Jenny Bay-Williams and John SanGiovanni join Latrenda and Dewey to discuss building numeracy, strategic fluency, and student agency. They explore why fluency isn’t about memorization or speed drills, how “think time” and classroom routines support reasoning, and how giving students a repertoire of strategies helps them make more confident choices in math.

Salandra Grice-Johnson and Alexis Lien join the podcast to shine a spotlight on mathematical belonging, the feeling that every student has a valued place in the math classroom. Through stories, insights, and research from the recent issue of the MTLT journal, they unpack how fostering a sense of belonging can strengthen students’ confidence, support their math identity, and transform their relationship with the subject.Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK-12 Volume 118 Issue 11 (2025)

In part 2 of their two-part conversation with Vanessa Vakharia, NCTM President Latrenda Knighten and President-elect, Dewey Gottlieb, continue their discussion on students’ relationships with mathematics, and how educators can empower and guide them to realize they are fully capable of understanding it.

Join NCTM President Latrenda Knighten and the new President-elect, Dewey Gottlieb, for part one of a two-part conversation with Vanessa Vakharia.They'll discuss students’ relationships with mathematics and how educators can empower and guide them to realize they are fully capable of understanding it.

Join NCTM President Latrenda Knighten and the new President-elect, Dewey Gottlieb, as they invite Holly Kreider to discuss daily activities that can create natural opportunities for children to build confidence in math.Center for Family MathThis episode of Adding It All Up is sponsored by Prodigy Math.

Lateefah Id-Deen, NCTM 2025 Annual Meeting & Exposition Opening Keynote Speaker, joins Latrenda and Kevin to discuss building meaningful connections with students in the math classroom and leaving behind a legacy a teacher can be proud of. Register for the NCTM 2025 Annual Meeting.This episode of Adding It All Up is sponsored by Prodigy Math.

Elaine Saunders, Zepherine Miller, and Shin Law join the podcast to delve into strategies for setting up a successful school year. From launching meaningful math routines to building strong classroom communities, this episode is packed with practical tips and inspiring insights to help educators start the year with confidence.This episode of Adding It All Up is sponsored by Prodigy Math.

Joshua Sawyer and Mahmoud Harding join the podcast to discuss the importance of meaningfully integrating data science and data literacy into mathematics instruction and how to prepare students for the future.Resources and articles referenced in the podcast:Skew The ScriptStatistics TeacherData Moves by Tim Erickson, Michelle Wilkerson, William Finzer, and Frieda ReichsmanDigging into Data: Illustrating a Data Investigation Process by Hollylynne S. Lee, Gemma F. Mojica, and Emily Thrasher Data Science Is for Everyone Research Report (pdf)Data Science From and For the Statistics Classroom - preconference workshop at the NCTM 2025 Annual Meeting & ExpositionNational Learning Progression for K–12 Data Literacy and Data Science (sign up for more information)This episode of Adding It All Up is sponsored by Prodigy Math.

Corinne Day, John SanGiovanni, and Kristopher Childs join the podcast to discuss their favorite NCTM publications, books, journals, and articles for listeners and how the readings furthered their careers as math educators. Books and Articles referenced in the podcast:High School Mathematics Lessons to Explore, Understand, and Respond to Social InjusticeImplementing Standards-Based Mathematics Instruction: A Casebook for Professional Development, Second EditionPositioning Students as Thinkers and Doers of Mathematics (NCTM Members Only)Building Students’ Metacognitive Toolboxes (NCTM Members Only)Impact of Identity in K–12 Mathematics: Rethinking Equity-Based Practices, Expanded EditionPrinciples to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for AllCatalyzing Change - Initiating Critical Conversations in Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, and High School MathematicsThis episode of Adding It All Up is sponsored by Prodigy Math.

Latrenda Knighten and Kevin Dykema invite Susie Katt and Dave Ebert to discuss the connection between literacy and mathematics—and why integrating reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills into math instruction can transform student understanding.Related events and resources:NCTE-NCTM Joint Conference for Elementary Literacy and MathematicsJune 16-18 | ChicagoExamining The Connections Between Elementary Mathematics and LiteracyMay 2024 | Adding It All Up Podcast This episode of Adding It All Up is sponsored by Prodigy Math.

Della Cronin from the Bose Public Affairs Group and NCTM Associate Executive Director, Dave Barnes, stop by the podcast to discuss why advocacy efforts for math education are crucial to the community's success.NCTM Advocacy ToolkitNCTM 2025 Legislative Platform (pdf)Share your story of impact.Be an Advocate.This episode of Adding It All Up is sponsored by Prodigy Math.

Sam Rhodes, Kelly Reigle, and MTLT Editor in Chief, Angela Barlow join the podcast to discuss the role of metacognition, a reflective process to help math students succeed with problem-solving in and out of the classroom. Building Students’ Metacognitive Toolboxes (NCTM Members Only)Learn more about Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK-12 (MTLT)

NCTM’s Kevin Dykema and Latrenda Knighten recap the 2024 year, highlighting areas of growth in meeting the needs of students, publications, and conferences and discussing what they hope to see in 2025. 

David Barnes, NCTM Associate Executive Director, joins Kevin and Latrenda to discuss the 2024 NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) results, highlighting the challenges and next steps for the mathematics education community. Explore results for the 2024 NAEP Mathematics Assessment.Read the NCTM news release.Learn more about professional development opportunities for your school or district.

NCTM’s Kevin Dykema and Latrenda Knighten invite two coaching experts, Courtney Baker and Melinda Knapp, to the podcast to discuss their book, Proactive Mathematics Coaching, Bridging Content, Context, and Practice, and the power of the proactive coaching framework, which helps math leaders refine their practices.Purchase a copy of Proactive Mathematics Coaching: Bridging Content, Context, and PracticeRegister for NCTM Book Study: Catalyzing Change Through Proactive Mathematics Coaching

NCTM’s Kevin Dykema and Latrenda Knighten invite three mathematics teachers, Alyssa Schexnayder (elementary school), Maggie McHugh (middle school), and Joe Bolz (high school) to the podcast to discuss developing teacher playbooks and how to empower students to learn.

NCTM’s Chonda Long takes over hosting duties for this episode of Adding It All Up and asks new NCTM President, Latrenda Knighten, and NCTM Past President, Kevin Dykema, about diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in modern-day math classrooms. 

Donnie Piercey, fourth-grade teacher and a former Kentucky Teacher of the Year, visits Adding It All Up to discuss the role of artificial intelligence in mathematics education and how offering tools that personalize learning and engage students in new ways can enhance the classroom. 

Kristi Martin and Jenny Novak, lead writers of High School Mathematics: Reimagined, Revitalized, and Relevant, join Kevin Dykema and Latrenda Knighten on this episode of Adding It All Up to discuss the new book and how reimagining and revitalizing are essential in making mathematics more relevant for students.

Luis Leyva—the NCTM 2024 Annual Meeting & Exposition Iris M. Carl Equity address speaker—joins Latrenda Knighten to discuss teaching historically marginalized communities, engaging in critical forms of self-reflection, and more.

Angela Barlow, Editor-in-Chief of the NCTM journal, Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK-12 (MTLT), and Krystal Jones, MTLT Fellow, discuss the math journal and the power of connecting with other teachers and readers in mathematics education from the classroom and beyond. 

Julia Aquirre, Karen Mayfield-Ingram, and Danny Bernard Martin, authors of The Impact of Identity in K-12 Mathematics: Rethinking Equity-based Practices, discuss the importance of how mathematics identity agency impacts teaching and learning in the classroom.

Maria Franquiz joins Kevin Dykema and Latrenda Knighten to discuss why it's crucial for educators to emphasize both math and literacy skills in the early grades, and how this collaboration can help integrate mathematics, language arts, and culture to engage elementary learners. Get more on this topic at the upcoming joint conference for elementary literacy and mathematics, hosted by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the National Council of Teachers of English. 

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of NCTM's landmark publication, Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All, hosts Kevin Dykema and Latrenda Knighten examine its impact with lead authors Steve Leinwand, Deann Huinker, and Dan Brahier.

Don't miss the first episode of Adding It All Up, a new podcast created by and for mathematics educators and teachers...coming April 18!