What is mathematics education actually for?

Tom Mahoney, numeracy learning specialist, secondary mathematics educator, and PhD candidate in educational philosophy at Deakin University joins AAMT CEO Allan Dougan to explore this deceptively simple but powerful question.

Importantly, this episode is not about prescribing a “right” ideology. Instead, it encourages teachers to reflect critically on their own beliefs, the time and energy they spend on particular practices, and how these choices align with the needs of the students in front of them.

Tom introduces the concept of ideology in education, describing it as the often-unspoken beliefs and values that shape how mathematics is taught, how students are positioned, and how success is defined. Drawing on classroom experience and philosophical perspectives, the conversation unpacks how ideas about utility, beauty, assessment, and ability influence everyday teaching practice—often without teachers realising it.

LINKS

Tom Mahoney Blog: https://tommahoneyedu.wordpress.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommahoneyedu/
The Interruption, a monthly blog exploring the ideological nature of education.
https://theinterruption.substack.com/

Explore AAMT’s resources, events, and news:
https://aamt.edu.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Practical advice for mathematics leaders who feel constrained by context, reminding listeners that changing practice in even one classroom matters, and that meaningful leadership often grows incrementally.

AAMT CEO, Allan Dougan discusses with Matt how to model leadership in schools, and whether leadership should focus on changing practice rather than changing people.

This episode is a thoughtful and affirming exploration of the complexity, importance and impact of mathematics leadership — and a timely reminder that the work mathematics leaders do every day truly matters.

Dr Matt Sexton is Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Education at the Australian Catholic University and Director of the Mathematics Teaching and Learning Centre (Melbourne campus).

He is a widely respected voice in mathematics education leadership, and in this conversation he unpacks what effective school-based mathematics leadership looks like in a time of rapid curriculum reform, shifting policy mandates, and increasing pressure on teachers.

LINKS

• LEaDME: A blog about mathematics leadership activity in primary schools by Matt Sexton https://www.leadmemaths.com
• Dr Matt Sexton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-matt-sexton-125760231/

Explore AAMT’s resources, events, and news:
https://aamt.edu.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kylie Stone is a WA primary teacher whose passion for mathematics teaching has been shaped through almost two decades of working across regional and metropolitan schools. Kylie shares how she builds confident, flexible mathematicians by focusing on journey over destination, prioritising strategy selection, and creating a warm, engaging environment where every student can access maths meaningfully.

Kylie explains her classroom Maths Toolbox system - an approach where students learn, practise and select from a wide range of mathematical strategies. Rather than chasing the correct answer, they explain how they got there. Tools include arrays, place value breakdowns, algorithms, manipulatives, mental strategies, and even student-invented approaches.

Our host, AAMT CEO Allan Dougan discusses with Kylie why she feels that multiple strategies matter and how teaching only one method restricts students. She argues for developing flexibility, efficiency and adaptive reasoning—especially as numbers get larger and problems become more complex. Students gradually learn which strategy is most efficient for a given task.

Explore AAMT’s resources, events, and news:
https://aamt.edu.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Challenges teaching at a culturally diverse and economically disadvantaged school, building an action plan, gathering quality data, and overcoming the language barrier with a universal language: mathematics.

Dandenong Primary’s Assistant Principal, Terri Truscott, and AAMT’s Education Specialist, Denise Halliday, explore lessons learned in the process of implementing concepts from Peter Liljedahl’s fantastic ‘Building Thinking Classrooms’, metacognition, inspiring rich mathematics dialogue, using pre- and post-assessments, selectively responding to student questions, and more.

Key Links:
Check out Dandenong Primary School:
https://www.dandenongps.vic.edu.au/

Contact Terri Truscott:
[email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest host Denise Halliday speaks with Leanne West and Vicky Schavoni, two passionate maths educators who joined the AAMT’s 2024 North American Study Tour. Together, they reflect on what they learned visiting classrooms in Chicago and Calgary, attending the NCTM Conference, and connecting with teachers and leaders across the continent.

From building thinking classrooms and vertical whiteboards to number talks and challenging problems, Leanne and Vicky share practical strategies that have transformed their teaching back home. They also discuss how strong school leadership, a spirit of collaboration, and international professional learning can reignite passion for maths education.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Sam Ayre, mathematics isn’t just about numbers—it’s a language for thinking, reasoning and communicating. In this lively discussion with Allan Dougan, Sam describes how he helps students find confidence and voice in maths through classroom talk, group problem-solving, and conceptual understanding. He also offers advice for teachers wanting to make small, sustainable changes and highlights the power of collaboration through Tasmania’s Focus on Maths initiative.

Key Links
Pedagogy in Mathematics
https://aamt.edu.au/resources/pedagogy-in-mathematics

“Focus on Maths” Initiative
Project details and related resources are available via AAMT:
https://aamt.edu.au/projects/focus-on-maths

Peter Liljedahl – Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics (Grades K–12)
Official site and resources: https://www.buildingthinkingclassrooms.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maths enrichment, identifying student progress, the YMSA competition, and early career challenges.

Trinity Grammar’s Mathematics Specialist, Jessica Zhu, joins AAMT’s Education Specialist, Denise Halliday, to discuss all things maths enrichment: open vs closed ended tasks, fighting against the forgetting curve, engendering maths creativity in students, the YMSA competition, Pi Day, and more.

Key Links:
Check out the YMSA competition:
https://www.mathsthroughstories.org/competitions.html

And explore AAMT’s resources, events, and news:
https://aamt.edu.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The power of mini whiteboards, call and respond, quality multiple choice diagnostic questions, and other tools to gather reliable data from the classroom quickly.

Host of the 'Mr Barton Maths' podcast, Head of Education at Eedi, author of 'How I Wish I'd Taught Maths', and creator of countless mathematics teaching websites, Craig Barton, joins Strength in Numbers to discuss effective ways to develop and grow as a teacher, his excitement over the ‘pre-test effect’, atomization, how to craft a good multiple choice question, the importance of common wrong answers, and so much more.

Key Links:
Explore countless resources, tools, research, and CPD:
https://www.mrbartonmaths.com/topics/

https://tipsforteachers.co.uk/

And learn more about how AAMT can help you as a teacher:
https://aamt.edu.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether you’re in the classroom, leading a team, or shaping policy, Season 4 is about unpacking what matters most in maths education—and why.

Together, we’ll explore; how data can inform responsive teaching, the role of rich tasks and open-ended challenges in building Thinking Classroom, turning assessment into agency and curriculum into culture

This season, we dive deeper into the challenges and opportunities shaping maths education today. Host Allan Dougan is joined by teachers, leaders, and researchers who aren’t afraid to ask - and answer, the tough questions and share fresh insights.

Learn more about how AAMT can help you as a teacher:
https://aamt.edu.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The AAMT’s position paper “Pedagogy in Mathematics,” giving teachers back their voice, maintaining appropriate challenge, and how to get the most value from the paper. 

Professor of mathematics education and AAMT’s board chair, Catherine Attard, joins Strength in Numbers to discuss the recently published position paper “Pedagogy in Mathematics,” a framework for action and improvements in your classroom, your school, and your approach, as well as the practices covered by the paper such as purposeful planning, developing mathematical proficiency, and adapting to and supporting all learners.

Key Links:
Explore the Pedagogy in Mathematics paper here:
https://aamt.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/AAMT-Pedagogy-in-Mathematics.pdf

And find helpful resources and research in the accompanying resource list:
https://go.aamt.edu.au/2025PedagogyReadingList

Sponsored by Tutero
Tutero is a Melbourne-based Australian education company that empowers maths teachers with innovative AI tools to effortlessly create customised lesson plans, assessments, and activities. You can find them at https://www.tutero.com

Get connected with more great resources at the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers:
https://aamt.edu.au/

Podcast produced by Martin Franklin | East Coast Studio

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AAMT’s study tour to the NCTM conference, ICME 15, the Focus on Maths grant program, and the Pedagogy in Mathematics paper.

Mathematics Education Specialist at AAMT, Denise Halliday, joins Alan for a retrospective on the AAMT’s busy 2024, including events such as a study tour to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics conference in Chicago, the National Summit on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mathematics Education, the Australian Mathematics Education Journal and the Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom journal, professional learning initiatives and opportunities, as well as a look ahead to an exciting 2025.

Key Links:
Read the Pedagogy in Mathematics paper here:
https://aamt.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/AAMT-Pedagogy-in-Mathematics.pdf

International Congress on Mathematical Education (ICME 15)
https://icme15.org/

National Summit on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mathematics Education
https://atsima.com/national-summit-on-indigenous-mathematics-education/

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (USA)
https://www.nctm.org/

Learn how to join your local AAMT affiliated association here:
https://aamt.edu.au/about-us/membership/aamt_affiliated_associations/

Sponsored by Tutero
Tutero is a Melbourne-based Australian education company that empowers maths teachers with innovative AI tools to effortlessly create customised lesson plans, assessments, and activities. You can find them at https://www.tutero.com

Get connected with more great resources at the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers: https://aamt.edu.au/

Podcast produced by Martin Franklin | East Coast Studio

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.