How to Keep Students Engaged in Math Class: Rigor, Productive Struggle, and Perseverance

In this episode of Math: Universally Speaking, Ron Martiello explores how educators can keep students engaged during math learning by intentionally designing for rigor, productive struggle, and perseverance through the lens of Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

Ron clarifies the differences between three commonly misunderstood mathematics education terms—rigor, productive struggle, and perseverance—and explains why understanding these distinctions matters when designing equitable, inclusive, and engaging math instruction.

Throughout the episode, listeners will discover practical ways to sustain student effort and persistence in mathematics, including:

• Clarifying learning goals

• Optimizing challenge and support

• Using scaffolds during problem solving

• Fostering collaboration and mathematical discourse

• Building belonging and community in math class

• Providing actionable feedback that advances student thinking

Ron also discusses how teachers can support students without taking away the thinking, why struggle is an important part of learning mathematics, and how classroom design can help students see themselves as capable mathematicians.

This episode is valuable for K–12 teachers, instructional coaches, interventionists, special educators, administrators, and school leaders looking to strengthen student engagement in mathematics through inclusive and rigorous instructional design.

Whether you teach elementary, middle, or high school mathematics, this conversation will provide practical ideas for helping students sustain effort, persist through challenges, and build deeper mathematical understanding.

Listen to Math: Universally Speaking on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Castbox, or your favorite podcast platform.