S5E05: Anna Stokke on Where Math Education Went Wrong—and How to Fix It

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m joined by Anna Stokke—mathematician, professor, and host of the Chalk & Talk podcast. Anna has become one of the most influential voices calling for a return to clarity, structure, and evidence in math instruction.

We explore how her conversations on chalk & talk have shaped—and sometimes challenged—her own thinking about teaching math. Anna shares which guests have most shifted her perspective, and whether she’s ever wished she’d pushed back harder during a particularly lively exchange.

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From there, we dig into some of the enduring debates in math education:

• Are there “math myths” that might actually hold a small grain of truth?
• Is intuition in math underrated or overhyped?
• Does the growing focus on “math identity” empower students—or risk distracting from what really matters?

Anna also lays out what she believes every student should leave school knowing—regardless of whether they go on to study calculus or carpentry—and how math and education departments can work together more productively to achieve that goal.

Throughout the conversation, Anna’s message is consistent and clear: mathematical understanding begins with a solid foundation—and when instruction is explicit, coherent, and inclusive, every student can succeed in math.

Looking for great education books?

The podcast you’re listening to is sponsored by John Catt from Hachette Learning and hosted by Dr. Zach Groshell. John Catt publishes some of the best books in education, including my book, Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching.

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