Latrenda Knighten, current president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), joins us for the second part of our illuminating conversation on professional collaboration and growth in mathematics education.

We begin with a playful discussion of Pi Approximation Day (July 22nd or 22/7). What will you do to celebrate?

Then part two of our conversation – a profound exploration of professional identity and community in teaching. Knighten draws from her personal journey to illustrate how early exposure to professional networks transformed her teaching practice and accelerated her growth as an educator.

"Teaching can be a career where a lot of times you work in isolation," Knighten observes, highlighting how this isolation creates barriers to professional development. She makes a compelling case for fostering environments where teachers feel comfortable asking questions, sharing challenges, and collaborating across grade levels. These "vertical discussions" prove particularly valuable, allowing educators to understand mathematical progressions more deeply than single-grade expertise permits.

For teachers struggling to find supportive communities, Knighten offers practical strategies—from leveraging virtual platforms to building informal networks outside school hours. "There is no excuse for not having someone to collaborate with," she emphasizes, pointing to technological tools that make connection possible regardless of geographic limitations.

The conversation culminates with Knighten's passionate reminder that effective mathematics teaching practices—student engagement, encouraging questioning, problem-solving, critical thinking—have been validated by decades of research. "Let's stick with what we know is good and effective and let's just build on that," she urges, connecting these approaches to the skills most valued in today's workforce.

Whether you're new to teaching mathematics or a veteran educator, this episode offers invaluable insights into creating professional communities that sustain and enhance your practice. Listen now to discover how breaking free from classroom isolation can transform both your teaching experience and your students' learning outcomes!

You can connect with Latrenda Knighton on X (@LatrendaK)

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The More Math for More People Podcast is produced by CPM Educational Program.
Learn more at CPM.org
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