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S4 E9 - Rethinking “Behind”: What Students Really Need with Dr. Aditya Nagrath
Math anxiety doesn’t begin with numbers, it begins with access, opportunity, and understanding.
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Aditya Nagrath, PhD mathematician and founder of Elephant Learning. We explore why so many students, especially those in under-resourced and low-income communities, fall behind academically despite having tremendous potential.
We discuss how learning gaps often reflect gaps in opportunity, not ability, and how traditional memorization-based instruction disproportionately impacts students who miss early foundational concepts. Dr. Nagrath explains why math should be taught as a language, how rebuilding understanding (rather than drilling skills) can rapidly restore confidence. He also shares what parents and educators can do to support learners without pressure or shame.
This conversation reframes math struggles through a lens of equity, and empowerment. It offers hope-filled, practical strategies for helping all children thrive.
If your child, or students have ever been labeled “behind,” this episode is a must-listen.
