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 providing news, tools, and resources on the science of learning, written by education reporter Holly Korbey. Subscribe here . Murmuration Author Servic...
Jun 04, 2025•50 min•Ep. 49
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 around the world who also want to become evidence-based through The Center for Transformative Teaching. Episode Links: Website: Home - The Center for...
May 28, 2025•46 min•Ep. 48
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 building foundational skills for both students and teachers and shares insights into effective writing instruction strategies. LinkedIn: @SherryLewko...
May 21, 2025•53 min•Ep. 47
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 Bell Ringer, a weekly newsletter providing news, tools, and resources on the science of learning, written by education reporter Holly Korbey. Subscri...
May 14, 2025•43 min•Ep. 46
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 Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Thinking This podcast sponsored by: The Bell Ringer, a weekly newsletter providing news, tools, and re...
May 07, 2025•31 min•Ep. 45
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 observations and visits into collaborative learning opportunities. Links: Trust-Based Observations X: @TrustBasedCraig LinkedIn: @TrustBasedCraig This...
Apr 30, 2025•41 min•Ep. 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 a journalist, of course she will be asking me about my thoughts on these issues as well. She can’t help herself. Follow her work by subscribing to The...
Apr 23, 2025•34 min•Ep. 43
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 became an instructional coach and additional work she has done on her own to ensure she provides quality support to teachers. Links: X: @RaquelMTeaches Th...
Apr 16, 2025•39 min•Ep. 42
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 impact student outcomes. Links: LinkedIn: @sandrabrunet Engage 2 Learn DIG Workshop in Riverside, CA This podcast sponsored by: The Bell Ringer, a weekly...
Apr 09, 2025•51 min•Ep. 41
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 information that all teachers should know about how students learn but is still not being taught in many schools of education. He also has some advice for teac...
Apr 02, 2025•57 min•Ep. 40
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 Superintendent in three different districts. In this episode I chat with Dr. Simon about what he learned dealing with parents, teachers, and unitions during...
Mar 26, 2025•46 min•Ep. 39
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 Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Instruction Maximizing the Impact of Coaching Cycles This podcast sponsored by: The Bell Ringer, a weekly ...
Mar 19, 2025•32 min•Ep. 38
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 lists and explains the differences between this book and other books on explicit instruction. Andrew Bixler, a friend and colleague of Gene Tavernetti, ...
Mar 12, 2025•36 min•Ep. 37
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 newsletter providing news, tools, and resources on the science of learning, written by education reporter Holly Korbey. Subscribe here . Murmuration Author Se...
Mar 05, 2025•56 min•Ep. 36
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 science of learning, written by education reporter Holly Korbey. Subscribe here . Murmuration Author Services by Mark Combes. Looking to write your fir...
Feb 26, 2025•42 min•Ep. 35
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 Systems 06:31 National Curriculum in the UK 08:02 Transition to the US Educational System 21:05 Implementation of Cognitive Science in the Classroom ...
Feb 19, 2025•44 min•Ep. 34
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: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching Zach’s website: Education Rickshaw X: @MrZachG LinkedIn: @MrZachG Bluesky: @mrzachg.bsky.social Podcas...
Feb 12, 2025•49 min•Ep. 33
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 dissimilar views on other education issues. We also discuss how education makes for strange bedfellows. Social Media: X: @Beanie0597 LinkedIn: Claudine (Beanie) Geoghegan Website/Blog: Beanie's Blog This podcast sponsored by: The Bell Ringer, a weekly newsletter providing news, tools, and resources on the s...
Feb 05, 2025•58 min•Ep. 32
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 media. Francie’s response was, “Not on social media. I need to walk the talk.” This podcast sponsored by: The Bell Ringer, a weekly newsletter providing news, tools, and resources on the science of learning, written by education reporter Holly Korbey. Subscribe here . Murmuration Author Services by Mark...
Jan 29, 2025•41 min•Ep. 31
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 story, I hope you are more understanding when a teacher makes that difficult decision, even if it is inconvenient for everyone. Get in touch with Dr. Tovar: LinkedIn: @Janae Tovar This podcast sponsored by: The Bell Ringer, a weekly newsletter providing news, tools, and resources on the science of l...
Jan 22, 2025•55 min•Ep. 30
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. He shares his expertise and wisdom on writing and publishing a book. Having worked with Mark personally, I highly recommend you "have a cup of coffee” with him. Get in touch with Mark: X: Mark Combes (@FloridaBookGeek) on X LinkedIn: Mark Combes Website here . This podcast sponsored by: The Bell Ri...
Jan 15, 2025•41 min•Ep. 29
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: Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick What Teachers Have to Say- Jacob Carr and Nathan Collins Get in touch with Adam: X: @moler3031 LinkedIn: @adam-moler Website/blog: Moler Musings BlueSky: @moler3031.bsky.social This podcast sponsored by: The Bell Ringer, a weekly newslett...
Jan 08, 2025•48 min•Ep. 28
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. Yet, this practice is not as prevalent in teaching, in fact it is nearly non-existent, despite teaching being one of the most complex professions. Links: X: @MrBixler LinkedIn: @AndrewBixler This podcast sponsored by: The Bell Ringer, a weekly newsletter providing news, tools, and resources on t...
Jan 01, 2025•44 min•Ep. 27
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 focus is identifying the most effective strategies for teaching mathematics to elementary students. Her research provides guidance to teachers in what does work, and what does not work. Links: X: @sarahpowellphd Bluesky: @sarahpowellphd.bsky.social Sarah's Website This podcast sponsored by: The Be...
Dec 25, 2024•52 min•Ep. 26
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: [email protected] LinkedIn: Sarah Oberle, Ed.D. This podcast sponsored by: The Bell Ringer, a weekly newsletter providing news, tools, and resources on the science of learning, written by education reporter Holly Korbey. Subscribe here . Murmuration Author Services by Mark Combes. Looking to write your fir...
Dec 18, 2024•46 min•Ep. 25
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." She was not only the key participant but also authored and co-authored three books on the research concerning retrieval practice. Links: X: @patricebain1 LinkedIn: Patrice Bain Powerful Classrooms: Evidence-Informed Strategies and Resources This podcast sponsored by: The Bell Ringer, a weekly new...
Dec 11, 2024•39 min•Ep. 24
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 by: The Bell Ringer, a weekly newsletter providing news, tools, and resources on the science of learning, written by education reporter Holly Korbey. Subscribe here . Murmuration Author Services by Mark Combes. Looking to write your first book? Murmuration Author Services is your friend and coach for...
Dec 04, 2024•42 min•Ep. 23
In this episode, host Gene Tavernetti interviews Lynn Gaffney, the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction at Watertown City School District. They discuss strategies for improving test scores, the science of learning, and the importance of instructional practices. Lynn Gaffney discusses the adoption of Science of Learning principles as a central focus for an entire district, aiming to enhance educational outcomes across the board. Books mentioned in episode: Jade Pearce: What Every Teacher Need...
Nov 27, 2024•39 min•Ep. 22
In this episode, host Gene Tavernetti sits down with Dr. Frank Rodriguez to discuss his extensive experience in the education sector and his focus on parent education. They delve into the nuances of post-pandemic education, the challenges faced by students and educators, and the importance of integrating technology intelligently in classrooms and at home. The conversation also highlights the development of parent education modules aimed at mitigating the negative impacts of screen time on childr...
Nov 20, 2024•41 min•Ep. 21
In this episode, host Gene Tavernetti converses with Rod Naquin, a seasoned educator and instructional coach. They discuss the impact of dialogue on teaching, teacher collaboration, student collaboration, and the whole world. Their conversation also goes into psychological and philosophical underpinnings, the significance of understanding teachers' individual contexts, and effective coaching methods. 02:49 The Role of Experiences in Educational Leadership 04:14 Teacher Collaborative Discourse 04...
Nov 13, 2024•52 min•Ep. 20
