In high school math, vocabulary can be just as challenging as the problems themselves. Many struggling learners—and especially English Language Learners—get stuck on dense textbook definitions. In this post, we explore why math vocabulary for English language learners matters, why simplified definitions and visuals make a difference, and how teachers can start supporting ELLs in math today.

I came home after the first week of the spring semester feeling emotionally drained. Nothing major happened. No classroom blowups. No admin emergencies. No parent conferences gone wrong. Just… teaching. The Weight of Everyday Teaching One student was absent most of the week and only showed up for one day. Another is dealing with family situations that make it hard to focus on school right now. Several students are frustrated and refuse to use the supports provided to them, li