#159 What 10 Million Students + 30 Years Taught us About Math Engagement

What if 10 million students could tell us what keeps them engaged in math — and what pushes them away? In this episode, I sit down with veteran educator Sheila Robitaille (30 years in classrooms and administration across the U.S. and Canada, now with 3P Learning) to unpack what nearly two decades of World Maths Day participation reveals about math engagement, productive struggle, and that critical middle school-to-Algebra transition. This conversation isn’t just about a contest. It’s about what happens to students’ confidence when abstraction increases — and how we can protect curiosity while raising rigor. In This Episode, We Discuss: 🔄 The Middle School Shift Why math suddenly feels more abstract How pacing and performance pressure impact confidence What happens to math identity during this transition ➗ Why We Lose Students in Algebra When procedure replaces thinking The unintended effects of “right answer” culture How speed and comparison increase anxiety 🌍 A Global Perspective on Productive Struggle + Engagement Two questions you must ask yourself as a teacher Establishing a class culture to support struggle How to create struggle that feels safe and purposeful Every person can be a math person 🌍World Maths Day with Mathletics Through global participation in World Maths Day, educators have observed: Students lean in when challenge feels accessible Immediate feedback increases persistence Participation motivates more than ranking Connect with Sheila: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-robitaille-8823864b 🌍Sign Up for World Maths Day: https://www.3plearning.com/world-maths-day/ Let’s talk. Send me a message with your email and I’ll get back to you! This podcast is a member of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Better Today. Better Tomorrow. And the Podcasts to Help You Get There. Connect with Kristen: Follow on Instagram @moorethanjustx Join the Facebook Community: The Modern Math Teachers Movement More About the Modern Math Teacher Podcast Kristen Moore, classroom teacher and instructional coach at Moore Than Just X, empowers modern secondary math teachers to transform the student experience with the strategies and the confidence to implement project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, and student engagement strategies in their classrooms. Whether you're a math education newbie or a seasoned veteran, you'll find something new and inspiring in every episode. You’re already a listener, why not join the Movement inside ✨ The Modern Math Teachers Movement Facebook group. Join the community of math teachers who are not afraid to shake things up and make math class the best part of the day for our students. So tune in each Tuesday, have some fun, and let's elevate our math teaching game together! * Amazon orders may provide a small affiliate payout at no extra cost to you. These payouts help keep the podcast free for all!