Best Zach Groshell Podcasts (2025)

1
Anything but boring: The power of direct instruction - with Dr. Zach Groshell 52:26

3d ago52:26

52:26

215: Dr. Zach Groshell explains what direct instruction is and why it's so effective for student learning. He also shares specific classroom strategies teachers can start using right away. Click here for this episode's show notes. Get my book, Reach All Readers! Looking for printable resources that align with the science of reading? Click here to l…

1
Should the Best Teachers Be Coaches? with Dr. Zach Groshell 31:00

30d ago31:00

31:00

In another episode of Thinking Out Loud, Zach Groshell and Gene Tavernetti discuss and weigh the arguments for and against having the best teachers leave the classroom to become instructional coaches. Episode Links: Education Rickshaw X: @‌MrZachG Bluesky: @‌MrZachG LinkedIn: Zach Groshell Podcast: Progressively Incorrect Best Selling Book: Just Te…

1
Teachers Helping Teachers Getting Better with Laura Stam 50:14

1d ago50:14

50:14

In this episode teacher leader Laura Stam shares personal experiences in her journey to continual improvement in her teaching practice. Laura also describes her experience of participating in an instructional coaching cycle for the first time. X: @stamstam193 Facebook: @Mrs.Stam.2021 This podcast sponsored by: The Bell Ringer, a weekly newsletter p…

1
From decline to top rankings: How England transformed education with Nick Gibb (Ep 49) 1:19:18

6d ago1:19:18

1:19:18

In this episode, Anna Stokke interviews The Right Honourable Sir Nick Gibb, former Minister of State for Schools in England. Nick discusses the bold, evidence-based reforms he led over a decade to reverse declining academic performance in English schools. From phonics-based reading instruction to math mastery, he explains how high expectations, rig…

1
Evidence-Based Schools with Glenn Whitman 45:45

9d ago45:45

45:45

Glenn Whitman is a distinguished educator who has worked with schools around the world to support schools and teachers bringing evidence practices to their classrooms. In this episode Glenn talks about his own school’s journey to becoming an evidence-based teaching institution, his continued role in that journey, and how his school supports schools…

1
How to use the MTSS framework to transform school reading achievement - with Dr. Sarah Brown & Dr. Stephanie Stollar 43:19

11d ago43:19

43:19

214: Dr. Sarah Brown and Dr. Stephanie Stollar join me to talk about implementing the science of reading through the MTSS framework. We define MTSS, discuss practical tips for implementation, and address things to avoid. Be sure to get their new book, MTSS for Reading Improvement. Click here for this episode's show notes. Get my book, Reach All Rea…

1
S03E9 - Making sense of the science of reading with Mandy Nayton 1:23:16

12d ago1:23:16

1:23:16

In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers, Brendan Lee sits down with Mandy Nayton — CEO of the Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation and president of AUSPELD — for a deep and timely conversation about how students really learn to read. Mandy draws on decades of experience to unpack what the science of reading actually is (and what it isn’t), why explicit inst…

1
Writing Instruction with Sherry Lewkowicz 52:37

16d ago52:37

52:37

In this episode, Gene Tavernetti interviews Sherry Lewkowicz, an expert in writing instruction. They discuss the importance of direct scaffolded writing instruction, the role of AI in enhancing teaching practices, and the challenges teachers face in effectively teaching writing across different grade levels. Lewkowicz emphasizes the significance of…

1
The principal's role in using MTSS to improve reading outcomes - with Sharon Dunn 43:38

18d ago43:38

43:38

213: Sharon Dunn, a former principal of a high-poverty school, shares the process that she and her staff used to drastically improve reading outcomes. This episode offers a blueprint for principals looking to lead meaningful reading improvement in their own schools. Click here for this episode's show notes. Get my book, Reach All Readers! Looking f…

1
How we learn: Naive, purposeful, and deliberate practice with Stephen Chew (Ep 48) 57:13

21d ago57:13

57:13

Join math professor Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Stephen Chew, a cognitive psychologist at Samford University. They explore the different types of practice—naive, purposeful, and deliberate—and why understanding these distinctions can transform teaching and improve learning. The discussion also covers how to use feedback effectively, struct…

1
Literacy, Research & Technology with Dr. Jayne Lammers 43:24

23d ago43:24

43:24

Dr. Jayne Lammers lives at the intersection of three of my favorite topics: literacy, research, and technology in the classroom. We discuss all of these issues as well as bonus content, advice for folks thinking about pursuing a doctorate. Episode Links: Dr. Lammers' Website LinkedIn: @‌jayneclammers Website: Edmentum This podcast sponsored by: The…

1
The Science of Teaching: Making Research Work in Real Classrooms featuring Dr. Ian Kelleher [EP24] 31:41

24d ago31:41

31:41

Today is all about the science of teaching and how educators can apply continued education in their classrooms. Our guest Dr. Ian Kelleher explains his role as the CTTL Research Chair and makes the case for further professionalizing the practice of teaching, as has been done with so many other fields. In this episode, we discuss why creating assess…

1
[Listen again] How to use assessment data within MTSS - with Dr. Stephanie Stollar 33:50

25d ago33:50

33:50

Dr. Stephanie Stollar has been supporting schools to use MTSS to improve reading outcomes for more than 25 years. She explains the importance of using screening data to reflect the effectiveness of Tier 1 instruction, how to use assessment data to form differentiated small groups, and how to avoid common mistakes that schools make when implementing…

1
S03E08 - Craig Barton on Becoming a Better Maths Teacher 1:48:02

26d ago1:48:02

1:48:02

In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers podcast, Brendan Lee is joined by the legendary Craig Barton—maths educator, best-selling author of How I Wish I Taught Maths and Reflect, Expect, Check, Explain, creator of variationtheory.com and tipsforteachers.co.uk, and one of the original voices in education podcasting. In this conversation, Craig ope…

1
Mailbag: Math facts vs calculators, a logic problem, the Southern surge (Ep 47) 14:49

30d ago14:49

14:49

In this special mailbag episode, Anna Stokke tackles two listener questions and a comment. She breaks down a logic puzzle that stumped some fans, explains why relying on calculators isn’t a substitute for math fact fluency, and highlights comments from a listener about encouraging literacy trends in several Southern U.S. states. TIMESTAMPS [00:00:0…

1
What is the science of implementation? - with Laura Stewart 52:14

1M ago52:14

52:14

212: How do we bridge research to classroom practice? The answer lies in the science of implementation. Laura Stewart walks us through the five stages of implementation - this episode is a must-listen for anyone whose school is ready for change! Click here for this episode's show notes. Get my book, Reach All Readers! Looking for printable resource…

1
Trust Based Observations with Craig Randall 40:48

1M ago40:48

40:48

Craig Randall is the author of Trust Based Observations: Maximizing Teaching and Learning Growth. He was inspired to write the book after a long history traditional methods of teacher observations failed to help teachers improve their instruction. Craig works as a consultant training administrators and faculties on how leverage frequent classroom o…

1
Why implementation is the missing piece - with Justin Browning 53:50

1M ago53:50

53:50

211: Implementation specialist Justin Browning joins me to discuss the challenges of implementation, the importance of strong leadership, and what really matters for lasting change. Click here for the show notes from this episode. Get my book, Reach All Readers! Looking for printable resources that align with the science of reading? Click here to l…

1
S03E07 - Jeanette Breen on lessons learnt from high-performing schools 1:46:26

1M ago1:46:26

1:46:26

In this episode, I’m joined by Jeanette Breen — Learning Specialist at Templestowe Heights Primary School and Head of Global Partnerships at No More Marking — to unpack insights from her recent tour of some of the highest-performing schools across the UK. From standalone primaries to schools within trusts like Ark Academy, and even the renowned Mic…

1
Reclaiming learning time to boost literacy and numeracy with Ross Fox (Ep 46) 1:13:17

1M ago1:13:17

1:13:17

In Episode 46, Anna Stokke chats with Australian education leader Ross Fox. As the former Director of Catholic Education for the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, Ross led a major shift in teaching practices that led to significant gains in both literacy and numeracy. The episode begins with an overview of the Australian education system. They …

1
The Science of Learning and Effective Math Instruction with Holly Korbey 33:44

1M ago33:44

33:44

Holly Korbey, an education journalist who focuses on the science of leaning and effective math instruction makes a return visit to the podcast. In this episode the updates her work in this area, her experiences in NYC at ResearchED, and her new Podcast “Interviews with An Expert”. Enjoy all her interviews on her YouTube channel. And because she is …

1
[Listen again] How to use assessment data to inform instruction - with Rachel Beiswanger 28:43

2M ago28:43

28:43

In today's episode, special education coach Rachel Beiswanger explains how she uses assessment data when deciding what to teach her students. We list screening measures and list specific things you can do if students are scoring below benchmark. I list all the details in the show notes, so be sure to check them out! Click here for this episode's sh…

1
The Importance of Respect in Maintaining Motivation with Raquel McGee 38:56

2M ago38:56

38:56

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 remedial reading classes and how respect for students is critical in maintaining that motivation. Raquel describes the training provided when she becam…

1
You Have Something in Your Teeth: Growing as an Educator Through Research featuring Sara McAuliffe [EP23] 34:44

2M ago34:44

34:44

Today's interview might have the catchiest title in our most recent publication. Sara McAuliffe is an English teacher, Co-Leader of New Employee Mentoring Program, and Professional Growth Pathway Co-Leader at St. Andrew's. In this episode, we talk about the personal nature of thinking about your craft and the constant nature of growth and improveme…

1
The power of Quick Writes - in any grade! - with Shauna Cotte 46:37

2M ago46:37

46:37

210: You'll love this practical episode, in which Shauna Cotte emphasizes that Quick Writes are brief, informal writing tasks designed to help students process and reflect on content. Best of all - you can use them in any grade! Click here for the show notes from this episode. Get my book, Reach All Readers! Looking for printable resources that ali…

1
A decade of decline: Examining falling test scores with Mike Petrilli (Ep 45) 59:36

2M ago59:36

59:36

In this episode, host and math professor Anna Stokke interviews Mike Petrilli, President of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, about the role of standardized testing in K–12 education. They discuss the benefits and criticisms of standardized tests, the methodologies behind tests like NAEP, international comparisons with PISA and TIMSS, long-term tren…

1
The Importance of Alignment with Sandra Brunet 51:20

2M ago51:20

51:20

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 leaders and teachers. In this episode Sandra discusses the importance of alignment and knowledge of all aspects of educational systems to positively imp…

1
How to use Paragraphology to teach the writing process - with Bridget Barley 41:03

2M ago41:03

41:03

209: When I heard Bridget Barley speak about her brilliant method for teaching students to write clearly structured paragraphs, I knew I wanted to have her on the podcast so you can learn all about this method too. This is a must-listen for middle school teachers, but the method can be used starting in first grade. Click here for this episode's sho…

1
The Importance of Knowing How Students Learn with Carl Hendricks 56:32

2M ago56:32

56:32

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 Teaching Happens in which he shares the most impactful research on this topic. In this episode he shares what he believes is the most important informati…

1
Mailbag: Building Thinking Classrooms, number talks & more with Zach Groshell (Ep 44) 49:03

2M ago49:03

49:03

Dr. Anna Stokke and guest Dr. Zach Groshell answer listener questions in a special mailbag episode. They cover strategies for managing varying levels of math proficiency in the classroom, critique the Building Thinking Classrooms approach, and discuss whether number talks should be prioritized for developing math fact fluency. This discussion provi…

1
All about The Writing Revolution - with Judith Hochman 37:26

2M ago37:26

37:26

208: Judith Hochman, creator of The Writing Revolution method, explains the principles of this approach and shares practical, sentence-level activities that teachers can use in any grade level. These activities both enhance writing skills and improve understanding of the subject students are writing about. Click here for this episode's show notes. …

1
Applying Lessons Learned in HR to Being a Superintendent with Gabe Simon 45:48

2M ago45:48

45:48

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 rural district. He then transitioned back the district office as an Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, where he worked as the Assistant Superi…

1
How to teach students to be strong writers using SRSD - with Dr. Karen Harris 56:24

2M ago56:24

56:24

207: Dr. Karen Harris, the creator of SRSD (self-regulated strategy development), walks us through this evidence-based approach to teaching writing. You'll learn how this approach teaches students how to plan their writing, follow that plan, and assess how they did. Research shows that SRSD is an effective way to teach students to be independent wr…

1
S03E06 - Dr. Carl Hendrick on Five Things Every Teacher Should Do 1:33:28

3M ago1:33:28

1:33:28

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Carl Hendrick, a leading voice in education and co-author of What Does It Look Like in the Classroom?, How Learning Happens, and How Teaching Happens. Carl has been instrumental in helping teachers bridge the gap between research and practice, addressing the key question: That all sounds great, but what …

1
How advocacy is changing reading instruction with Jamie Metsala (Ep 43) 1:15:17

3M ago1:15:17

1:15:17

Join Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Jamie Metsala, one of two content area experts on the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Right to Read public inquiry. Jamie shares her expertise on the importance of strong early instruction in foundational reading skills, the pitfalls of balanced literacy, and the urgent need for evidence-based practices i…

1
Coaching Moves While Observing Lessons with Zach Groshell - Thinking Out Loud #3 32:03

3M ago32:03

32:03

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 coaching models (Episode 33). In this episode we discuss coaching moves an instructional coach may employ while observing a lesson. Links: Just Tell T…

1
[Listen Again] How to teach writing in K-8: A thinkSRSD deep dive with Dr. Leslie Laud 1:03:15

3M ago1:03:15

1:03:15

If you're looking for an evidence-based approach to teaching writing in all grades, look no further than thinkSRSD! Dr. Leslie Laud explains this approach and breaks down how it looks across the grade levels. Be sure to check the show notes for links to free resources that will get you started! Click here for the show notes from this episode. Get m…

1
Teach FAST with Gene Tavernetti 35:53

3M ago35:53

35:53

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. Tavernetti wrote Teach FAST to help remedy that situation and help guide teachers to more effective explicit instruction lesson. In this episode Gene li…

1
Strategies for teaching writing in the early grades - with Amy Siracusano 53:30

3M ago53:30

53:30

206: Amy Siracusano describes the Not So Simple View of Writing and explains how this model helps us make instructional decisions when teaching young writers. She also shares a variety of strategies that will help you teach students at all different stages. Lots of goodness in this episode! Click here for the show notes from this episode. Get my bo…

1
S03E05 - The ABCs of Effective Behaviour Management: A Practical Guide for Teachers with Dr. Brandi Simonsen 1:25:42

3M ago1:25:42

1:25:42

In this episode, we're focusing on a key element of successful schools: understanding and supporting positive student behaviour. Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Brandi Simonsen, a professor of special education at the University of Connecticut and co-director of the National Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Brandi shares…

1
Improving Literacy in the Middle Grades with Kyair Butts 56:17

3M ago56:17

56:17

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 employed. Follow Kyair and his students in action at on: X: @kyairb Instagram: @MrK_bcpss This podcast sponsored by: The Bell Ringer, a weekly newslett…

1
From Police Officer to Science Teacher: A Journey in Research-Informed Teaching featuring Brittany Shields [EP22] 36:59

3M ago36:59

36:59

Today's guest took one of the most unique pathways to education. Brittany Shields was a police officer before she worked at St. Andrews as a science teacher. In this episode, Brittany and I discuss why she left police work for teaching and the process she underwent to design her own forensics course. We also talk about the importance of understandi…

1
How to incorporate guided practice into your writing lessons - with Leah Mermelstein 46:38

3M ago46:38

46:38

205: When I look back at my own writing instruction, I often gave a quick mini-lesson and expected students to take a "nose dive" into independent writing with little, if any, guided practice. Leah Mermelstein walks us through the importance of gradual release and explains three types of guided practice that you can bring into your writing instruct…

1
Math Academy: Optimizing student learning with Alex Smith and Justin Skycak (Ep 42) 1:14:55

3M ago1:14:55

1:14:55

Join Anna Stokke in conversation with Dr. Alex Smith, Director of Curriculum, and Justin Skycak, Director of Analytics, from Math Academy. Math Academy is an AI-powered online learning platform designed around science of learning principles. They discuss Bloom's 2 sigma problem and explore how Math Academy aims to address it. They also explain how …

1
Three Important Areas for Schools to Focus On with Mike Schmoker 42:05

3M ago42:05

42:05

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 touch with Mike through his website here. This podcast sponsored by: The Bell Ringer, a weekly newsletter providing news, tools, and resources on the sc…

1
Can we redeem the writing workshop approach? - with April Smith 38:45

3M ago38:45

38:45

204: "Writing workshop" is almost a bad word in today's science of reading circles. It's true that many elements of the model need improvement, but it's also true that some elements of the workshop model are based on research. Is it possible to redeem the writing workshop approach? I break this down with author, educator, and curriculum writer, Apr…

1
S03E04 - Dr. Matthew Burns on Effective Assessment: Using Data to Drive Reading & Maths Intervention 1:16:16

3M ago1:16:16

1:16:16

In this episode, get ready to dive deep into the world of assessments with Dr. Matthew Burns, as we explore the different categories of assessments, their intended purposes, and how they can be used to inform instruction. Dr. Burns, a researcher with extensive experience in the effective use of assessment data and interventions, shares his expertis…

1
Implementing the Science of Learning Everywhere with Helen Reynolds 43:56

4M ago43:56

43:56

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 US and UK and how she has advocated for the science of learning wherever she has taught. Key Moments: 01:21 Differences between UK and US Educational…

1
Evidence-based practices in teaching writing - with Dr. Steve Graham 1:13:29

4M ago1:13:29

1:13:29

203: With his 47 years of experience, Dr. Steve Graham has much to share about what research says about teaching writing and how to apply it to classroom instruction. We discuss six evidence-based practices for teaching writing and how to implement them in day-to-day instruction. Click here for the show notes from this episode. Get my book, Reach A…

1
Thinking Out Loud: Pros and Cons of Coaching Models with Zach Groshell 48:46

4M ago48:46

48:46

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 your school? We hope this will discussion provides some grist for the mill. (Aphorisms are not buzz words.) Links: Zach’s new book: Just Tell Them: Th…

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