Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works
Descriptions of effective teaching often depict an idealized form of "perfect" instruction. Yet, pursuing perfection in teaching, which depends on children's behavior, is ultimately futile. To be effective, lessons and educators need to operate with about 75% efficiency. The remaining 25% can be impactful, but expecting it in every lesson, every day, is unrealistic. Perfection in teaching may be unattainable, but progress is not. Whether you are aiming for the 75% effectiveness mark or striving for continuous improvement, this podcast will guide you in that endeavor.
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 43 minutes
- Episodes
- 62
- Years Active
- 2024 - 2025
The Importance of Respect in Maintaining Motivation with Raquel McGee
Raquel McGee is a high school reading teacher, instructional coach, and doctoral student. I was very excited to talk to Raquel about all of those things.
We discuss student motivation in high school r…
The Importance of Alignment with Sandra Brunet
Sandra Brunet has worked throughout the United States coaching educators at all levels of the educational system. She had supported leaders in state departments of education, district leaders, site l…
The Importance of Knowing How Students Learn with Carl Hendricks
Dr. Carl Hendrick is known throughout the world for his expertise in the science of learning. In addition to publishing numerous articles, he has co-authored two books How Learning Happens and How Te…
Applying Lessons Learned in HR to Being a Superintendent with Gabe Simon
Dr. Gabriel Simon took an unconventional path to becoming a district superintendent. He spent over a decade as a successful principal before serving briefly as a Superintendent/Principal in a small r…
Coaching Moves While Observing Lessons with Zach Groshell - Thinking Out Loud #3
This the third episode in our series Thinking Out Loud in which Zach and I discuss instructional coaching. So far, we have discussed the importance of rehearsal with teachers (Episode 23) and various…
Teach FAST with Gene Tavernetti
Everyone says one of the most effective ways to teach new content is by using explicit instruction. But fewer teachers than you might think can deliver an effective explicit instruction lesson. Dr. T…
Improving Literacy in the Middle Grades with Kyair Butts
Kyair Butts, Baltimore City Public Schools Teacher of the Year, discusses improving literacy in the middle grades and a successful low-cost professional development program that teachers enjoyed and …
Three Important Areas for Schools to Focus On with Mike Schmoker
Mike Schmoker, educator and best-selling author, speaks from decades of experience as he details the three most important areas school musts Focus on to get Results. (Caps and pun intended.)
Get in to…
Implementing the Science of Learning Everywhere with Helen Reynolds
Helen Reynolds, MBE is a distinguished and award-winning science educator from the UK. For the past eight she has taught at a high school in the US.
In this episode she compares her experiences in the…
Thinking Out Loud: Pros and Cons of Coaching Models with Zach Groshell
Dr. Zach Groshell and I Think Out Loud about the pros and cons of various coaching models.
Various coaching delivery models have been implemented in schools. How do you choose which model is best for …
Schools That Work For Every Student with Beanie Geoghegan
Beanie Geoghegan is the Co-Founder of Freedom in Education and is an advocate for a school that works for every student.
Beanie and I discuss our similar views on explicit instruction and our dissimil…
Increasing Learning and Decreasing Anxiety with Francie Weinberg
Francie Weinberg, high school counselor, shares how she teaches students SOL principles to increase learning and decrease anxiety.
I always ask guests to share where they can be reached on social medi…
The Difficult Decision of Leaving the Classroom Mid-Year with Dr. Janae Tovar
Dr. Janae Tovar shares the difficult decision of leaving the classroom mid-year.
It’s very easy to vilify teachers who break a contract and leave their classroom mid-year. After listening to Janae’s s…
Advice for First-Time Authors with Mark Combes
Mark Combes, a veteran of the K-12 publishing space, shares advice for all those aspiring to write their first book.
Mark has collaborated with and supported authors whose books are on your bookshelf.…
Optimizing AI in the Classroom with Adam Moler
Adam Moler discusses the strengths and weaknesses of various types of artificial intelligence and how he optimizes their application in his school classroom.
AI resources mentioned in this episode:
The Importance of Support in the Beginning Years of Teaching with Andrew Bixler
Andrew Bixler describes the support he received during his initial years as a teacher.
For centuries, craftsmen and artisans have benefited from one-on-one training and support, also known as coaching…
Teaching Students to Solve Word & Story Problems with Dr. Sarah Powell
Dr. Sarah Powell describes her research on teaching students to solve word, or story, problems.
Dr. Powell is a professor at the College of Education, University of Texas Austin. Her primary research …
The Wider Implementation of the Science of Learning with Dr. Sarah Oberle
Dr. Sarah Oberle discusses her research on the wider implementation of the Science of Learning and its influence on her classroom and teaching methods.
Links:
X: @S_Oberle
BlueSky: Sarah.Oblerle@bluesk…
The Importance of Knowing the Research Behind Retrieval Practices with Patrice Bain
Patrice Bain discusses retrieval practice and why it is important for teachers to know the research that supports it.
Patrice Bain is well-known for her significant role in the "room where it happened…
Rehearsal & Instructional Coaching with Zach Groshell
In this episode of Thinking Out Loud Zach Groshell and Gene Tavernetti think out loud about the role rehearsal can play in professional development and Instructional Coaching.
This podcast sponsored …