Your students have a math identity bank account. Are you making deposits? w/ Tammy McMorrow

Send us a text! (US messaging rates apply) What happens when you give a bunch of 6-year-olds a challenging math problem and they CAN’T figure it out? Well, in Tammy McMorrow’s grade one classroom, they might just celebrate with a confetti cannon. Seriously. Tammy’s been teaching for 32 years, but she still loves learning new tricks. She believes every student has a “math identity bank account,” and that teachers have countless opportunities to make little deposits that build confidence and create positive relationships with math! Today she joins Vanessa to share how even the smallest changes can make a huge difference and discuss: Why teachers should take charge of their own professional development How 6-year-olds learn resilience, flexibility & optimism Simple ways to celebrate mistakes and build math confidence Whether you’re a brand-new teacher or you’ve been doing this for decades, Tammy is proof that you don’t have to overhaul your teaching to make a difference - sometimes the smallest things have the biggest impact. Links mentioned: Good Inside by Becky Kennedy A Mindset for Learning: Teaching the Traits of Joyful, Independent Growth by Kristine Mraz & Christine Hertz Building Thinking Classrooms K–2 Facebook Group About Tammy: (Podcast, Facebook, Bluesky) With 32 years of first-grade teaching experience and recognition as a PAEMST Finalist, Tammy McMorrow is passionate about the magical and messy elementary math classroom. She helps educators implement Peter Liljedahl’s Building Thinking Classrooms framework to make math engaging, equitable, and student-centered. As host of the podcast Little Minds, Big Thinkers, Tammy celebrates the voices of teachers and the brilliance of young mathematicians. Unfinished and imperfect, she embraces learning as a journey, inspiring teachers and students alike to take risks, explore, and grow together. Contact us: Vanessa Vakharia: Instagram, TikTok, Email Math Therapy: Text the Podcast More Math Therapy: Get the book: Corwin, Amazon Audiobook: Audible, Spotify Merch store: Shop here