Ever felt like your students were physically present… but totally checked out? Phones out, heads down, not a single hand raised. Been there. And if you’re anything like me, you probably blamed yourself. 

But here’s the truth: That feeling isn’t failure. It’s a signal.

When I realized I wasn’t connecting with my students the way I wanted to, I didn’t throw out my content or question my ability. I shifted my approach.

And it changed everything. The key was a shift in my teaching strategy.

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What I Was Feeling: A Sign to Shift Teaching Strategy

The signs were there:

• Students disengaged, distracted, or silently confused
• That sinking feeling at the end of the day like nothing stuck
• Lessons that technically “worked” but left no real impact

I knew I couldn’t just keep doing the same thing and expecting different results. Especially when I was teaching students who needed to pass my class to graduate—students who’d never felt successful in math before.

What Shifted for Me: 

I stopped trying to teach at students and started teaching with them in mind. This teaching strategy changed it all. 

I made this my core belief: You’re not teaching standards or students—you’re teaching both.

When I connected the content to their goals, their realities, and their voices, something clicked. They began to trust me. They began to try. And our classroom dynamic completely changed.

Why It Worked (For me and You!)

✅ Students finally felt seen and understood
✅ I stopped spending energy on control and started investing in connection
✅ Learning became a shared experience—not just a checklist
✅ And I felt re-energized about what I was building

That spark you’re craving? It’s not about working harder—it’s about shifting how you work and the teaching strategy you are using.

Try This Teaching Strategy

1️⃣ Think back to a lesson or unit where your students checked out.

2️⃣ What could have made that moment more engaging, more personal, or more meaningful?

3️⃣ Choose ONE thing to shift next time—maybe it’s the task, maybe it’s the format, maybe it’s how you ask the first question.

Need help brainstorming? DM me the topic on Instagram @moorethanjustx—I’d love to help you remix it.

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📥 Join the waitlist for the Modern Math Teacher Membership

Final Thoughts

Disengagement isn’t the end of the story. It’s the beginning of a transformation—if you’re willing to pay attention to what it’s telling you.

If you’re feeling stuck, bored, or burned out, it’s not because you’re failing. It’s because your teacher instincts are telling you: there’s something more.

Inside the Modern Math Teacher Membership, we’re building classrooms that feel different—for students and for teachers. If you’re ready to stop surviving and start thriving, you’re in the right place.

✨ Let’s build the math class you’ve been dreaming about.

For more teaching strategies check out this podcast episode!