Math Teacher Lounge

Phones, focus, and grit, with Angela Duckworth, Ph.D., on Beyond My Years

Angela Duckworth, Ph.D., the New York Times bestselling author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, recently joined Host Ana Torres on the Beyond My Years podcast to discuss her new landmark research on school cell phone policies. In this episode, Angela highlights the many complexities surrounding student cell phone use in schools and why there is a need to conduct research, such as her “Phones in Focus” study, to look at which phone policies are actually yielding the best outcomes. She also suggests four ingredients that set young people up to reach their goals. Finally, Ana and Beyond My Years Classroom Insider Eric Cross reflect on Angela’s insights, and Eric shares the strategies he plans to implement to provide mentors to his students.Show notes:Subscribe to Beyond My Years at.amplify.com/BMY.Participate in Dr. Duckworth's research phonesinfocus.orgExplore Angela Duckworth’s website: https://angeladuckworth.com/Read: Schools don’t know how well cellphone policies are working. You can help

Hear from Dan Meyer on Season 2 of Beyond My Years!

Dan Meyer recently joined the Beyond My Years podcast to share some of his favorite strategies (and hard-earned lessons) for engaging students in math class. Listen in, as Dan joins host Ana Torres to share his journey in education, including his early struggles to engage students. In this episode, The right questions for the “wrong” answers, Dan provides models for grounding lessons in real life, giving students more opportunities to show off their personalities, and reframing mistakes and “wrong answers” as valuable answers to different questions. He also touches on technology use in the classroom and how to know when it's the right tool for the job. Ana and Classroom Insider Eric Cross then reflect on Dan’s insights, and Eric shares his top takeaways for the classroom.Remember to subscribe to the Beyond My Years podcast to hear more insights and lessons from leading education thinkers. Show notes: Subscribe to Beyond My Years at.amplify.com/BMY.Subscribe to Dan’s Substack, Mathworlds.Read Dylan Kane’s blog, Five Twelve Thirteen.

Beyond My Years is back: Season 2 trailer

Host Ana Torres and Classroom Insider Eric Cross give you the first look at Season 2 of the Beyond My Years podcast, launching September 17, 2025. This trailer highlights what’s coming after an award-winning first season, including shorter episodes and more takeaways to help you extend your reach. Season 2 focuses on common classroom challenges, looking to the experts and to the research to get you answers. Ana, Eric, and guests will cover topics from finding your teaching style, to engaging students in math, to helping students develop critical thinking, and more! Subscribe now to Beyond My Years: https://at.amplify.com/bmy(Not an Apple user? Listen on Spotify or the Beyond My Years website.)

The best of Beyond My Years (so far!)

To close out the year, we’re revisiting some of our favorite moments from the first nine episodes of the Beyond My Years podcast – and looking ahead at some of what’s to come in 2025! Listen to Beyond My Years: Subscribe to Beyond My Years on AppleSubscribe to Beyond My Years on SpotifyListen to Beyond My Years via web browser

Beyond My Years: Teaching takes joy, starring Rebecka Peterson

The latest episode of Beyond My Years features 2023 National Teacher of the Year — and math educator! — Rebecka Peterson. On the episode, Host Ana Torres and Rebecka discuss their similar experiences as young immigrants to the United States. Rebecka shares all that she has come to love and appreciate about the K–12 environment after a tough transition from teaching college-level courses. She also reveals her most important lesson learned: Teach humans over content. Rebecka talks about her “One Good Thing” blog, where she documented daily positives in her classroom that transformed her perspective on teaching. She shares personal experiences of feeling like an outsider and how those experiences drive her to create an environment of belonging for her students. Rebecka stresses the significance of building authentic relationships with students as well as the impact of mentors in education. Taking all those lessons back to the classroom, Eric and Ana discuss strategies like “rebellious joy” that are essential to sustaining a long career in education.Show notes:Subscribe to Beyond My Years: https://amplify.com/beyond-my-yearsConnect with Rebecka Peterson:   - Instagram: @RebeckaPeterson_   - X: @RebeckaMozdeh“Dear Ana”: Tell us about a seasoned educator who impacted your life!Listen: Hear from Missy Testerman, 2024 National Teacher of the Year! Follow us on Instagram: @amplify.education Connect with Eric Cross: https://www.ericcross.org/ Connect with Ana Torres: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anayansi-ana-torres-m-ed-26a10654/Quotes:“That's how we build our joy, how we build our resiliency—when we do the work together.” —Rebecka Peterson“I thought…I had to earn my seat at the table. I don't want any kid to ever think they have to earn their spot. I want them to know they are in, exactly as they are. There is no need to perform. They are loved on their good days, their hard days, whether they make the 'A' or not—they are in. And more than that,  they are celebrated.” —Rebecka Peterson“It takes a lot of courage to stand in the present. It is mindfulness. It is joy.” —Rebecka Peterson“This was like training my brain to become a good noticer and to take delight in my students’ quirks, and their genius, and their goofiness, as well as their beauty.” —Rebecka Peterson