In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I sat down with a personal friend whose work I deeply respect: John Tanner. His leadership in education has weathered storms—most notably, false accusations of cheating after huge gains in achievement were obtained at his school. But what shines through is his steadfast belief in the life-changing power of … Continue reading S4E37: John Tanner on Tests, College, and Cheating Scandals
Where PD Ends and Real Training Begins
Most professional development doesn't develop teachers. No one checks whether you can do the thing that you were supposed to learn at the workshop. In fact, it's rarely expected, beyond the occasional ice-breaker, that participants even participate. This is why my experience this week at the National Direct Instruction (DI) Conference, and its emphasis on … Continue reading Where PD Ends and Real Training Begins
Direct Instruction Conference: No Flash, All Function
I’m in Eugene, Oregon this week, soaking up the scene at the National Direct Instruction Conference. It’s not a glitzy affair - there are no lanyard influencers here, no big-stage keynotes promising “Project Based Learning” or “21st century skills.” What you get instead is something rarer and more sustaining: Design. Delivery. Organization. Teachers rolling up … Continue reading Direct Instruction Conference: No Flash, All Function
S4E36: Bonnie Grossen and Kurt Engelmann on Full Immersion Direct Instruction
In this episode of The Direct Instruction Podcast – cross-posted on Progressively Incorrect – I’m joined by Bonnie Grossen and Kurt Engelmann, two long-time advocates and practitioners whose work has shaped the real-world application of schoolwide Direct Instruction. After engaging conversations with both of them—on everything from implementation across diverse contexts to the role of … Continue reading S4E36: Bonnie Grossen and Kurt Engelmann on Full Immersion Direct Instruction
Direct Instruction Motivation Part 1: Keep It Moving
This series explores a rarely discussed strength of direct instruction: its power to motivate students. While critics often paint explicit teaching as boring or uninspiring, the truth is that its structure, pace, and design motivate kids better than any other system. Momentum is fragile. Linger too long, and you’ll lose them. Ask a question the … Continue reading Direct Instruction Motivation Part 1: Keep It Moving
S4E35: Stephanie Stollar, Diane Kinder, and Marcy Stein on MTSS and Direct Instruction
In this episode of The Direct Instruction Podcast - cross-posted on Progressively Incorrect - I’m joined by Stephanie Stollar, Diane Kinder, and Marcy Stein—three educators and researchers whose work intersects at the heart of effective instruction and systems-level change. After engaging conversations with each of them around Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and the role … Continue reading S4E35: Stephanie Stollar, Diane Kinder, and Marcy Stein on MTSS and Direct Instruction
Science of Reading Meets Explicit Instruction
I'm an advocate for evidence-based instruction, and one of the few shining areas in that space is early reading. The science of reading provides a wealth of insights into how the mind learns to decode, comprehend, and engage with text. But simply knowing what goes into a science-based literacy block or textbook isn’t enough—students require … Continue reading Science of Reading Meets Explicit Instruction
S4E34: Jonah Davids on the Debates Over Restorative Justice and SEL
In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m joined by Jonah Davids. Jonah and I met while participating in a panel discussion around declining behavior in schools (listen here), which led me to invite him to discuss the evidence base behind Restorative Justice and Social-Emotional approaches in education. Are we on track or has there been … Continue reading S4E34: Jonah Davids on the Debates Over Restorative Justice and SEL
Maximizing Attention and Teacher Talk (Webinar Recording)
If you follow this blog, you will know that I produce a lot of free content for teachers and instructional leaders. Subscribing gets you direct access to my podcast, Progressively Incorrect, plus information about upcoming events that are worth your time. I recently recorded this webinar with Blake Harvard, the author of Do I Have Your … Continue reading Maximizing Attention and Teacher Talk (Webinar Recording)
Anything but boring: The power of direct instruction
Something of a movement is brewing in education these days. A renewed interest in the science of how kids learn has led to greater adoption of effective teaching principles: We should regulate student attention, manage the cognitive load of tasks, over-practice concepts with students, and use student responses to adjust lessons. This is called direct … Continue reading Anything but boring: The power of direct instruction
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