096: The Soft Life: Humanizing Math and Learning with Dr. Natalie Odom Pough

About this episode

Dr. Krista Leh interviews Dr. Natalie Odom Pough about creating supportive and engaging math learning environments that prioritize student identity and culture.

In this episode of SELinEDU , Dr. Krista Leh sits down with Dr. Natalie Odom Pough , a mathematics educator and advocate for joyful, justice-centered learning, to explore what she calls the soft life . Together, they unpack the idea that learning environments do not have to be rooted in pressure, comparison, and compliance—but can instead be spaces where students feel seen, respected, and capable of growth. Through stories from her work in middle school math classrooms and her own experiences as a parent and educator, Natalie shares how identity, culture, and personal experience shape how students engage with learning. She challenges the notion that math exists in isolation, offering powerful examples of how relevance, real-world context, and student-centered design can transform both engagement and understanding. From rethinking word problems to connecting math with history and community, she reminds us that meaningful learning happens when students can see themselves in the work. The conversation also highlights the deeply human side of teaching. Natalie reflects on what it means to truly see each student—even in large classrooms—and how relationships, consistency, and…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Krista Leh

Guest: Dr. Natalie Odom Pough

Topics covered

• humanizing math
• joyful learning
• social-emotional growth
• student-centered design
• educational equity
• classroom culture

Keywords

• math education
• joyful learning
• student engagement
• educational equity
• classroom culture
• social-emotional learning
• identity in education

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Resonance Education

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