How ambitious is “ambitious mathematics teaching”?

Ambitious mathematics teaching involves skilled ways of eliciting and responding to each and every student in the class so that they learn worthwhile mathematics and come to view themselves as competent mathematicians. In this article we analyse a beginning teacher’s enactment of a Quick Image activity in order to illustrate how the teacher’s valuing and building on students’ mathematical thinking creates positive and productive learning opportunities for her students. Although challenging, we claim that such forms of teaching support more equitable and responsive learning environment compared to the more traditional “show and tell” approach to mathematics instruction.