Supporting students in using AI for deeper learningIn Episode 3, KINL Innovation Coaches Stevie and Karisa explore what it really means to use AI as a student learning co-pilot. Together, they unpack common concerns around cheating and academic integrity and offer a perspective on how AI can support student thinking, creativity, and voice. Through real classroom stories and practical examples, this episode highlights why teaching students how AI works and how to use it responsibly matters now more than ever, especially when it comes to equity and access. Whether you’re just beginning to explore AI or looking for thoughtful ways to integrate it into teaching and learning, this episode offers a down-to-earth conversation about guiding students confidently into the future.

Today’s guest is Deborah Peart Crayton. My apologies in advance (again!), but this is a longer episode because again, we are talking about things that are just so important for educators to know and every minute is well worth it! Deborah is a teacher, author, PhD candidate, and overall incredible contributor to the world of mathematics education. Her new book, Readers Read, Writers Write, Mathers Math is another MUST READ. In fact, Keep Indiana Learning and Mt. Holyoke’s Math Leadership program is co-hosting a book study starting on January 26. You can sign up at the link in the show notes - and join us for any and all of the sessions. If you can’t join us, the book study recordings will live on Keep Indiana Learning’s YouTube page. We want to support you in your learning on how to create an incredible culture of mathematics in your schools and classrooms!

This is my third episode around math identity, culture, and why math anxiety is a real thing in our classrooms. I cannot stress how important this part of math teaching is and Deborah, and her book, are crucial resources for our mathematics classrooms. My favorite quote from this episode is, "They’re capable if they're invested and they’re invested if they’re curious and interested.” So have a listen and find out HOW we can create invested, curious, and interested mathers in our classrooms!

Places to find Deborah:

⁠www.mathersgonnamath.com⁠

⁠Readers Read, Writers Write, Mathers Math!⁠

⁠Mather Merch!⁠

⁠Sign up for our Book Study!⁠

⁠⁠

Deborah Peart Crayton is the founder and Queen Mather of My Mathematical Mind. She started the #MatherMovement to disrupt the idea that math is optional. Deborah is a sought-after keynote speaker and dynamic elementary education consultant. With over 30 years in the field of education, Deborah speaks on a variety of topics related to math identity, elementary math content and instructional practices, and literacy connections to mathematics. She has shared her message at the local, regional, and national levels at state, district, and community events, and educational conferences.

Deborah is an expert at creating invitational and nurturing environments to cultivate positive mathematical identities, and has served in that capacity as a mentor and coach for elementary educators for over 20 years. She has had success with adapting instruction while maintaining grade-level expectations and possesses a deep knowledge of instructional practices and frameworks to engage all learners, including Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI), Math Recovery, the Orton-Gillingham Approach, and Mathematical Language Routines (MLR).

Deborah holds a bachelor’s degree in speech communications and early childhood education, a master’s degree in educational studies with a concentration in literacy, graduate endorsements in elementary mathematics and teacher development, and is pursuing a doctorate degree in education program development and innovation. Her research interests are focused on the connections between math anxiety and math teaching efficacy and effective practices for developing high-quality professional learning. Deborah has dedicated her career and doctoral studies to supporting educators with innovative teaching strategies that allow students to see themselves as assets to the learning community and curious problem-solvers. Deborah believes that all children deserve high-quality instruction and the opportunity to become competent readers, writers, and mathers.

Dr. Chase Huotari, Superintendent of Franklin Township, is a leader in the intentional integration of AI into K-12 education. He focuses on building a responsible framework that empowers teachers and prepares students for a technology-driven future.

In Episode 2, the KINL Innovation Coaches return to break down what the Science of Reading and writing look like in real Indiana classrooms, focusing on practical instructional moves that help students strengthen phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing. Innovation Coaches Jonathan, Nicole, and Sara share examples from their districts, highlight simple ways technology can enhance (not replace) high-quality literacy instruction, and share classroom-ready tools. If you're looking for clear, doable guidance for turning research into everyday reading and writing instruction, this episode provides a thoughtful, down-to-earth conversation rooted in real classroom practice.

Resources

Today’s guest is Liesl McConchie. This is a little bit longer of an episode for two reasons. One, I couldn’t stop asking questions and making connections to my own evolution of teaching math and two, Liesl is simply amazing. She is a teacher, author, mom, international speaker, and who we should all be reading and listening to if we are thinking we need to transform the way we think about the teaching and learning of mathematics. If you need to, listen in sections, because this entire interview is well worth your time. If you are looking for people to learn from regarding brain research and mathematics, Liesl is who you should be learning from. While you may hear from people in the world who believe math is just about right answers and all you need to do is follow directions to find those right answers, Liesl will help you understand why math identity matters. If you find yourself questioning why one quote she says that really stands out is, “A student's emotional relationship with math is foundational to their cognitive relationship with math. You just can’t argue with that, folks.

So sit back and relax. But maybe put your finger on the rewind button, because I promise, there are going to be things you hear that you want to make sure you heard just right.

Places to find Liesl:

https://lieslmcconchie.com/

Building a Positive Math Identity: A Brain Science Approach

Brain-Based Learning: Teaching the Way Students Really Learn

How do you bring the truth to life? Join Lit Gals Anna and Martie for Episode 40 of Season 5 as they explore the transformative power of Narrative Non-Fiction!

This genre blends factual accuracy with the storytelling techniques of fiction, making real-life events, history, and science truly irresistible. Whether you teach elementary schoolers or you're an adult reader looking for your next captivating read, Anna and Martie will help you understand what defines this powerful genre and share ideas for books that will leave readers—of any age—informed and inspired.

The Lit Gals are proud to be part of the Keep Indiana Learning network and are excited to also be airing on the KINL Podcast network this season!

Books Shared:

Picture Books:

"Frieda" (Jonah Winter)

"March On" (Christine King Farris)

"Sitting Bull" (SD Nelson)

Middle Grade & YA:

"Chasing Lincoln's Killer" (James Swanson)

"The Port Chicago 50" (Steve Sheinkin)

"Impossible Escape" (Steve Sheinkin)

"All Thirteen" (Christina Soontornvat)

Adult Titles:

"Everything Is Tuberculosis" (John Green)

"Hidden Potential" (Adam Grant)

"Be Ready When the Luck Happens" (Ina Garten)

"A Fever in the Heartland" (Timothy Egan)

"News of the World" (Paulette Jiles)

"The Academy" (Elin Hilderbrand & Shelby Cunningham)

Today’s guest is Vanessa Vakharia - also known as The Math Guru. She is the author of the book (and narrator of the audio book) Math Therapy, the host of the Math Therapy Podcast and overall badass advocate of building positive math identities in our students, the schools in which they learn, and society in general.

Something about Vanessa is that she is fiercely committed to what she is doing - even when it seems like people will do anything to try to bring her down or prove her wrong. Asked once why a pretty girl like her was teaching math, she clapped back by receiving a Masters Degree in Math Education and Feminist Theory writing a thesis called “Imagining a World Where Paris Hilton Loves Math.” The world where people believing they aren’t math people, it is acceptable to hate math and numbers, or folks write movies where the pretty cheerleader is making over the nerdy math girl is an unacceptable world and Vanessa is here to combat that - no matter what.

I am enormously grateful to Vanessa for the work she is doing in our schools. I am enormously grateful for the conversation and the opportunity to think about her work and how it applies to so many things in our lives (we talk about this in the episode!). So sit back, relax, and put your finger on the rewind button. I promise there are nuggets in here you’re going to want to listen to more than once!

Places to find Vanessa:

Instagram: @themathguru

www.⁠maththerapy.com⁠

⁠www.maththerapypodcast.com⁠

⁠Math Therapy - the book

The Teaching Forward podcast kicks off with a practical, no-fluff tour of artificial intelligence (AI) in K-12 education: tools and tips that give teachers time back without replacing what matters most. Keep Indiana Learning Innovation Coaches Karisa Schwanekamp and Tim Arnold share classroom-tested stories, UDL-aligned planning, faster feedback loops for students, and smarter family communication - plus clear guidance for safety and ethics. Think of AI as a thought partner, not an answer machine. Start small, collaborate, and move teaching into the future! Click below for a list of resources and more details about this episode.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h0WAXrCyF1KRRxIE-1sj8srRSyot0bfC/view?usp=sharing