What’s your math story? In this deeply inspiring episode of Blue Glasses Math, I sit down with the one and only Jo Boaler—mathematics education researcher, author of Math-ish, and founder of YouCubed. We talk about shifting math culture from correctness to curiosity, and from isolation to collaboration. Bentley, Jo’s adorable 14-week-old puppy, joins us too—snoozing peacefully in her lap as we talk about all things math and mindset.
We explore:
Jo’s personal math story and the high school teacher who changed everything.
What “math-ish” means and why asking for an “ish number” opens up number sense.
What mathematical diversity looks like and how it challenges one-right-way math teaching.
The emotional weight of mistakes in math class—and how mathematical diversity can help.
The real reason flip and multiply is so hard for students—and how visual models shift understanding.
Advice for new (and experienced) teachers heading into a new school year.
This episode is for anyone—teachers, coaches, leaders, and parents—looking for new ways to help students see themselves as math people.
💡 Bonus: Jo shares her strategy for supporting teachers to let go of perfection and lean into curiosity—starting with just one question: "What do you think?"
🔗 Links & Resources:🎥 Video of “ish numbers” in action