Celebrating the Teachers Who Change How Students See Math

Thank You, Teachers

Teacher Appreciation Week gives us a chance to say something we don’t say often enough: teaching is complex, demanding, and deeply impactful work. 

At Math is FigureOutAble, we get a front-row seat to educators who aren’t just teaching math, they’re reshaping how students experience it. 

The Teachers We See

Dedicated teachers are not all the same, and that’s exactly what makes this work so powerful. We see educators showing up for students in ways that matter.

“I’m Rethinking Everything” 

• Shifting away from procedures toward reasoning
• Asking, “What makes sense?” instead of “What’s the rule?”

“My Students Can Do This” 

• Holds high expectations for every learner
• Creates space for thinking, not just answers

“This Feels Different” 

• Trying new routines, models, and conversations
• Willing to be a learner alongside students

“Quietly Changing the Culture” 

• Influencing teammates, grade levels, or whole schools
• Making math more human, one conversation at a time

“I’ve Been Waiting for This” 

• Finally seeing math taught in a way that aligns with what they’ve always believed

“Figure It Out” 

• Keeps digging, learning, and refining their practice
• Leans into curiosity, for themselves and their students

And many more.

Brandon Pelter

Brandon Pelter embodies what it means to keep growing in this work.

A high school math teacher and adjunct instructor at Sacred Heart University, Brandon impacts students in his classroom while helping prepare future teachers to do the same. His influence extends beyond his classroom. He’s collaborating with Pam on the upcoming high school book in the Developing Mathematical Reasoning series, helping shape how big ideas in grades 9–12 can be taught for understanding.

In the middle of all of that, Brandon continues to learn, reflect, and push his own practice forward, exactly the “figure it out” mindset we value so deeply. 

Thank you, Brandon, for the impact you’re making across classrooms and beyond.

What We Know About Great Teachers

Great teaching isn’t about perfection, it’s about purposeful action.
It’s noticing, listening, and responding in the moment.
It’s believing students are capable, even when they don’t yet believe it themselves.
It’s showing up, day after day, doing work that matters.

No matter where you are in your journey, if you’re showing up for students, you’re doing incredible work.

Our Appreciation

We see you.
We appreciate you.
We’re grateful to be part of your work.

Our Gift to You

A Small Way We Want to Give Back

Because when teachers are supported, students experience math differently. And that matters.

If you’re ready to explore a different way to teach mathematics, one that helps students reason, make connections, and truly understand math, we’d love to invite you to our free Development of Mathematical Reasoning workshop.

In this free K–12 workshop, you’ll:

Experience the idea that “Math is figure-out-able!”
Learn the why and how behind the Development of Mathematical Reasoning
Discover practical ideas you can use with students right away
Join more than 6,000 teachers who have already taken the workshop

It’s enabling and freeing to know there is a better way to teach math.

👉 Sign up for the free workshop

You’ll receive 6 weeks of free access so you can learn at your own pace and begin helping your students become thinking and reasoning mathematicians.