Shortcuts or Setups? Teaching Math for the Long Game

As the school year winds down, this episode invites educators to pause and reflect: Are the rules we’re teaching setting students up for long-term success—or long-term confusion?

From “keep, change, flip” to “move the decimal,” we explore the rules that expire—the shortcuts that might get students through today’s lesson but leave them stuck tomorrow. More importantly, we talk about what it looks like to shift toward teaching deep understanding over speed, and how to start that shift—even with just one small move before the year ends.

This episode is for any educator who’s ever wondered:
👉 Is this rule really helping all my students?
👉 What would it mean to slow down in order to build stronger sense-making?

Whether you're closing out your year or already planning for the next, this conversation is your springboard for more intentional, equity-centered math instruction.

🔗 Connected Episodes for a Stronger Foundation:
📘 Words Matter: How Consistency in Language Builds Math Understanding
✍️ Do No Harm: Why Precision in Notation Is a Non-Negotiable
🧮 Making Math Stick: The Power of Consistent Representations

💡 Big Idea:
Teaching for the long game means letting go of tricks that don’t transfer—and committing to the kind of math instruction that builds lasting confidence, clarity, and connection.

🎧 Listen now and share with your team:
 #PDOnTheGo #MathCoaching #MoveAndMakeMathHappen #EquityInMath #InstructionalLeadership #MiddleSchoolMath

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Thanks for tuning in to this episode of PD for the Soul! If you enjoyed today’s conversation, don’t forget to follow, leave a review, and share this episode with your fellow educators.

You can also join the discussion and connect with me directly by clicking the link to join the Math Collective. Together, we’ll keep exploring practical strategies to transform classrooms and inspire students.

Remember, new episodes drop every Sunday at 9:00 am, so mark your calendars! Until next time, keep making math happen, and I’ll catch you in the next episode.

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