Math Testing Season and Anxiety: How Teachers Can Build Confidence Without Adding Pressure

Math Testing Season and Anxiety: How Teachers Can Build Confidence Without Adding Pressure

From Making Math Moments That Matter by Kyle Pearce & Jon Orr

March 30, 2026 · 36 min · Episode 463

About this episode

The episode discusses how teachers can maintain high expectations in math without adding pressure that leads to anxiety in students.

As math testing season approaches, many teachers and leaders feel the tension. We want students to succeed. We know they’re capable. But too often, that message turns into stress, anxiety, and even math avoidance. So how do we walk the line between pushing for excellence in math and protecting student confidence? In this episode, we unpack the difference between high expectations and pressure in math classrooms—and why they’re not the same thing. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The critical di...

People in this episode

Hosts: Kyle Pearce, Jon Orr

Topics covered

  • math testing
  • student confidence
  • teacher strategies
  • anxiety management
  • high expectations
  • math education

Keywords

  • math testing
  • student anxiety
  • teacher strategies
  • confidence building
  • math education

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