In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m joined by Denarius Frazier—Regional Superintendent of Instruction at Uncommon Schools, co-author of Reconnect: Building School Culture for Meaning, Purpose, and Belonging, and perhaps the best teacher ever captured on film. Link to blog and video Denarius is one of the most thoughtful and influential voices in the Teach … Continue reading S5E07: Denarius Frazier on Belonging, Rigor, and Scaling Effective Teaching
What’s With the Names?
Every once in a while, I get asked some version of: “Zach, what’s with your titles?” Progressively Incorrect? Education Rickshaw? Just Tell Them? Let me take a moment to unpack the chaotic branding I’ve cobbled together over the years— each name basically a timestamp from a different era of my teaching life, rooted in references … Continue reading What’s With the Names?
S5E06: Jessica Colleu Terradas & Jon Owen on Direct Instruction Without Borders
In this podcast episode, I’m joined by Jessica Colleu Terradas and Jon Owen, two international leaders bringing Engelmann’s Direct Instruction to life in Australia and the UK. This marks a milestone in the Direct Instruction Podcast—our first global double feature exploring what high-fidelity DI looks like beyond the United States. https://youtu.be/eIMhSdeOLsM?si=8w_Skb2LyMqcGg46 Jessica, based in Australia, … Continue reading S5E06: Jessica Colleu Terradas & Jon Owen on Direct Instruction Without Borders
Are Teachers Change Agents?
Today I read Robert Pondiscio’s piece, Public Schools Are Molds Not Platforms, and he’s right about something fundamental: public schools are not platforms for personal expression or ideological performance. They are civic institutions with a public mandate. A teacher in a classroom is not a freelance partisan activist — they are a public servant with … Continue reading Are Teachers Change Agents?
How to Make Coaching Work — Every Time, With Every Teacher
When I first started teaching, I was fortunate. I got paired with two people who made a real difference in my development: a math coach and my mentor teacher. Neither had a formal coaching framework. They didn’t have an evidence-informed approach or shared language for what “good” looked like. Still, they helped me grow - … Continue reading How to Make Coaching Work — Every Time, With Every Teacher
S5E05: Anna Stokke on Where Math Education Went Wrong—and How to Fix It
In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m joined by Anna Stokke—mathematician, professor, and host of the Chalk & Talk podcast. Anna has become one of the most influential voices calling for a return to clarity, structure, and evidence in math instruction. We explore how her conversations on chalk & talk have shaped—and sometimes challenged—her own … Continue reading S5E05: Anna Stokke on Where Math Education Went Wrong—and How to Fix It
Direct Instruction Embodies the Science of Learning
In one of my more popular posts, I argued that we need to do better than just nod politely at Direct Instruction (DI). Cognitive Load Theory is honored through DI’s ruthless efficiency: every word is deliberate, every example intentional, every new piece of content layered step by step to keep working memory clear and focused. … Continue reading Direct Instruction Embodies the Science of Learning
Take an Edu-Trip to New York City
When I first started teaching, the best professional development I received came from two people: the math coach at my school and my assigned mentor teacher. It wasn’t perfect. The math coach only focused on math, and my mentor teacher often had to teach her own class while I was in front of mine. Still, … Continue reading Take an Edu-Trip to New York City
S5E04: Marcie Samayoa on NGSS and Explicit Science Instruction
In this episode, I’m joined by Marcie Samayoa—science teacher, cognitive science enthusiast, and blogger of Scientists in the Making. Marcie shares the origin story behind her innovative classroom blog and explains how it grew out of a desire to make science learning more equitable, evidence-based, and joyful. We dive into some of the most persistent … Continue reading S5E04: Marcie Samayoa on NGSS and Explicit Science Instruction
S5E03: John Mighton on Building Math Confidence, One Problem at a Time
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. John Mighton — mathematician, playwright, best-selling author, and founder of JUMP Math. John shares his insights into one of the most misunderstood concepts in education today—the belief that only some students are “math people”—and explains why dismantling this idea is essential for equity and achievement. As we explore … Continue reading S5E03: John Mighton on Building Math Confidence, One Problem at a Time
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