Crossing the Bridge: Equity, Identity, and Access in Math Education featuring Dr. LaToya Byrd and Dr. April Mouton

What does it take to ensure every student has meaningful access to grade-level mathematics—and believes they belong in math? In this episode, Dr. LaToya Byrd and Dr. April Mouton of Illustrative Mathematics explore why high-quality instruction must be rooted in equity, coherence, and strong support for both teachers and students.

They discuss how problem-based learning helps students develop confidence and deep understanding, what effective professional learning looks like in practice, and why every part of an instructional system—from curriculum to implementation—matters for sustained success. Whether you’re thinking about student identity, district alignment, or the daily realities teachers face, this conversation offers practical insight and a powerful reminder that access to excellent math instruction belongs to every student, every teacher, and every community.

The Power of Problem-Based Learning with April Mouton

What is problem-based learning—and why is it so powerful for student engagement and understanding in math? In this episode of Teaching That Counts, April Mouton, interim vice president of product development at Illustrative Mathematics, explores how shifting from memorization to problem-solving transforms students’ experiences in the classroom.

April shares insights on how a problem-based curriculum like IM supports deeper thinking, positions teachers as facilitators of learning, and helps students see math as something they can do and make sense of. Whether you’re just beginning to explore problem-based learning or already implementing IM’s curriculum, this conversation is packed with practical ideas and fresh perspectives. Listen now and get inspired to rethink what math class can be.

Seeing Students as Mathematicians featuring Cherelle McKnight

In this episode of The STEM Space podcast, Cherelle McKnight—director of PK–5 content development at Illustrative Mathematics—shares how to make math feel like a place of invitation, not intimidation. In a warm, insightful conversation with host Natasha Wilkerson, she explores how we can build classroom communities where every student is seen, valued, and empowered to see themselves as mathers.

From “Notice and Wonder” warm-ups to fostering positive math identities, this episode is full of practical strategies and powerful stories for educators who believe math class shouldn’t be a competition—it should be a party. Whether you’re a teacher, coach, or STEM advocate, you’ll walk away inspired to create more inclusive, joyful math spaces.

Engaging Students, Empowering Minds: A Conversation with Bill McCallum

Join us for an insightful conversation with Bill McCallum, co-founder of Illustrative Mathematics and a distinguished professor in mathematics education. In this episode, we delve into important topics that will transform your perspective on mathematics instruction.

Discover what makes a problem engaging for students and how to identify struggling learners through classroom observations. Explore the power of connecting mathematics to meaningful stories and the potential impact of A.I. and digital tools on future instruction.

Math Talk: Math Is NOT A Universal Language And Here Is Why With Odalis Amparo

How many times have you heard this phrase, math is math, it is a universal language. Well, let me tell you, it is not. And that is exactly what today’s guest, Odalis Amparo from Illustrative Mathematics, and I talk about. Odalis is a skilled educator who is highly committed to elevating the voice and supporting the achievement of students and teachers in historically marginalized communities. She’s fiercely passionate about the intersection between language learning, mathematics instruction and the culturally sustaining pedagogy. Odalis is currently a professional learning specialist at Illustrative Mathematics, but has experience as an elementary classroom teacher and mathematics coach in a variety of settings. Odalis and I have a powerful conversation about why teaching math language is a must.