061 | Empowering Students: The Journey of Math Fact Lab with Michael Kenny | February 11, 2026

In this episode of Blue Glasses Math, host Pam Brett welcomes Michael Kenny, the founder of Math Fact Lab, to discuss his journey in math education and the development of his innovative teaching tool. Michael shares his early experiences as a teacher, initially focusing on literacy before transitioning to math instruction. He highlights the pivotal moment when he enrolled in the Vermont Mathematics Initiative, which transformed his understanding of effective math teaching through modeling and research-based practices. This experience inspired him to create Math Fact Lab, a platform designed to enhance students' fact fluency through visual models and interactive learning.

The conversation delves into the philosophy behind Math Fact Lab, emphasizing the importance of understanding over rote memorization. Michael explains how the platform encourages students to build connections between mathematical concepts, using various models to foster deeper comprehension. He also discusses the adaptability of the program for different learning paces and styles, allowing teachers to customize the experience for their students. The episode concludes with a hopeful outlook on the future of math education, focusing on creating engaging and thoughtful learning environments that instill pride in students' mathematical abilities.

00:00 Introduction to Math Fact Lab and Michael Kenny

05:33 Michael's Journey in Math Education

11:08 Transitioning to Math Fact Lab

20:30 Exploring Math Fact Lab's Features

30:37 The Teacher's Perspective and Student Engagement

33:41 Closing Thoughts and Future of Math Education

35:03 The Perspective of Being a Math Person

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insta: @BlueGlassesMath

bluesky: @pambrett.bsky.social

linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-brett-23b56675/

website: https://www.blueglassesmath.org/

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