S1 E11: Francis Pina

January 2, 2018

Overview:

Francis Pina is a Boston native and a 9th and 10th grade mathematics teacher at Charlestown High school. He attended Boston Public Schools his entire K-12 education and earned a BS in Economics from Boston University. After working a few years after his undergrad, he attended Harvard Graduate School of Education to earn his Ed. M in Secondary Mathematics Curriculum and Instruction.

Meet Our Guest:

Francis has extensive experience working with students of diverse populations in the city of Boston and strives to implement a creative, engaging, and student-centered math curriculum for his students to achieve great success. Francis previously taught at Codman Academy Public Charter School in Dorchester, MA., was a Lead Teaching Fellow at Year Up Boston and a summer Math Teacher with the Steppingstone Foundation.

Francis is also a member of the Better Math Teaching Network, a community of teachers, researchers and community leaders who collaborate to analyze current research and share ideas to transform math instruction in high school and promote a more student-centered curriculum, and a Teach Plus Policy Fellow for the 2017 – 2018 school year. Currently, Francis is researching the ways and in which video games engage teens and how to transfer those principles to engage students in the high school classroom.

Francis Pina Huffinton Post Article Click Here

Email: fppina@gmail.com

Twitter: @franklpina

Website: Coming soon

The Host:

If you are interested in being on the show or know someone who would be a great guest, please connect with Kevin Stoller

Be a Guest on the Better Learning Podcast!

Do you have a favorite school-related movie that left a lasting impact? Join us as a guest on the Better Learning Podcast, where we dive into iconic films, break down memorable moments, and hand out fun awards—all while connecting them to real-world education.

From standout teachers to unforgettable one-liners, we’ll explore how these movies reflect (or totally exaggerate!) school life. Plus, you’ll get to share your own insights and experiences in education.

Better Learning Podcast Request Form

"*" indicates required fields

Step 1 of 2

Name*

About the podcast

The Better Learning Podcast combines education and entertainment in a fresh, engaging format where guests share their favorite school-related movies. Host Kevin Stoller leads dynamic conversations, exploring memorable scenes, iconic characters, and timeless lessons through award-style categories like “The John Keating Award” for standout teachers and “Realistic or Ridiculous?” to dissect school life portrayals.

With humor, analysis, and reflection, each episode celebrates the fun, flaws, and impact of these films while sparking nostalgia and insights. Whether you’re an educator, student, or movie buff, join us to relive the movies that shaped how we see school life, and share your favorites.