Lessons Teachers & Leaders Need To Learn About Coaching Math in 2026

You’ve spent thousands on high-quality math curriculum and inspiring PD — yet instructional practices barely shift. Why?

In this episode, Jon Orr tackles the elephant in the room: why good PD still fails to create consistent math instruction. It’s not a teacher problem — it’s a system design problem. Backed by research and real district stories, Jon shows why instructional coaching is the missing link between professional learning and lasting classroom change.

Listeners will learn:

• Why most math PD fails to stick — even when it’s high quality
• What research says about the hours needed for lasting change
• The four components every math teacher needs to shift instruction
• How instructional coaching bridges the knowing–doing gap
• What “bright spot” teachers can do to scale impact
• Why starting with some teachers is better than coaching no one
• How coaching becomes your highest-return investment in math improvement

If you're serious about math improvement, this episode is your call to move coaching from the margins to the center of your strategy.

Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ 

Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com 

Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units 

Show Notes Page

Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!

Are you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don’t want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.