The Power of Direct Instruction - with Dr. Zach Groshell

→ How can direct instruction impact student learning and growth?→ Where are schools going wrong with technology in the classroom?→ Is it possible for every student to succeed without lowering expectations?Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.About Dr. Zach GroshellZach is a highly distinguished teacher, instructional coach, and education consultant. Based in Seattle, he works with schools nationwide and internationally to develop high quality instruction based on the science of how kids learn. Zach is the author of Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching, and hosts a podcast, Progressively Incorrect.Connect with Zachon LinkedIn, on X @mrzachg,on Substack at mrzachg.substack.com, and at his website, https://educationrickshaw.com/.In This Conversation0:00:00 - Introducing Dr. Zach Groshell, author of Just Tell Them1:23 - The thesis of Just Tell Them3:00 - The opposite of direct instruction5:20 - Using examples and non-examples in instruction8:17 - Zach's take on success criteria10:14 - Teaching to a group of students effectively13:59 - The role of teacher talk in the classroom18:36 - Can all students succeed without lowering expectations?21:13 - What is effective classroom management?24:23 - The value of starting the class on time26:44 - How schools are getting it wrong with technology34:54 - Can AI tools support student learning toward mastery?37:39 - One idea for teachers from the science of learning39:38 - Resources for teachers at educationrickshaw.com42:20 - How and where to connect with Dr. Zach GroshellVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

→ What are some moves that teachers can make to protect their mental health?→ What’s better: stay at school til the work is done, or leave as soon as possible?Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.Today’s Teacher on Fire is Rae Hughart. Rae is the CEO and Founder of Teachers Deserve It. She’s also a TEDx Speaker and author of two books: Teachers Deserve It and Teach Better. Growing up with IEP support after being diagnosed with Specific Learning Disabilities in Reading, Writing, and Math, Rae has made it her mission to collaborate with educators and districts nationwide to design mastery learning classrooms that reach all learners. Through Teachers Deserve It, she leads a movement dedicated to empowering educators with sustainable, standards-based grading practices that promote clarity, equity, and student success.Connect with Raeon LinkedIn, on Instagram @RaeHughart,  on TikTok @RaeHughartEDU,on Substack at raehughart.substack.com, and  at her website, teachersdeserveit.com.In This Conversation0:00:00 - Rae Hughart is the founder of Teachers Deserve It2:39 - Boundary 1: Leaving the building after contract hours4:07 - How Rae followed this boundary as a teacher5:49 - Boundary 2: Taking a sick day when we're sick11:58 - Boundary 3: Declining voluntary committees that we don't have capacity for17:08 - Boundary 4: Taking quiet moments on your lunch break19:54 - Boundary 5: Setting email hours23:45 - Should we turn off mobile notifications for email?27:11 - Resources for teachers available at TeachersDeserveIt.com31:01 - How and where to connect with Rae Hughart on social mediaVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

→ How can our assessment decisions increase equity for all learners?→ Are learning targets actually a valuable part of instruction and assessment?→ Should teachers give zeros for cheating or deduct marks for late assignment submissions?Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.Today’s Teacher on Fire is Karley Alleyn. Karley is a BC-based assessment consultant, a sessional instructor for the University of Victoria's BEDILR (Bachelor of Education in Indigenous Language Revitalization) program, and a consultant with the Canadian Assessment Centre. Karley's research in assessment identity has led her to speak across BC, Hawaii, London, and in 2026, Singapore.Connect with Karleyon LinkedIn, on Instagram @accessible_assessment, andin her newsletter at https://www.karleyalleyn.com/assessment-identified.In This Conversation0:00:00 - Karley Alleyn is an assessment consultant and former teacher based in BC1:47 - What IS assessment?2:40 - What is the purpose of assessment?4:11 - How can assessment produce greater equity for learners?5:52 - Making every learner feel good?6:38 - Assessment identity as an educator9:54 - Are learning targets valuable or a waste of time?14:01 - Should teachers ever give zeros?19:32 - A great formative assessment strategy23:56 - What does Extending proficiency mean in BC?32:54 - Assessment resources offered by Karley Alleyn35:25 - How and where to connect with Karley Alleyn onlineVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

→ How can we reimagine parent-teacher conferences?→ What are the issues most responsible for burning out teachers today?→ What are some rhythms and activities that can keep our fire for teaching alive?Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.Today’s Teacher on Fire is Jeff Smith. Jeff has taught in 12 schools over 32 years, with high school courses including mathematics (Pre-Algebra through AP Calculus), AP Comparative Government, Human Geography, and US History. He writes about teacher whitespace on Substack on Teachers' Unmuted.Connect with Jeffon LinkedIn andon Substack at https://jeffuson.substack.com/In This Conversation0:00:00 - Jeff Smith is a high school teacher in Illinois1:46 - Are teachers just customer service representatives?4:18 - What Jeff means by "whitespace" - where teachers find agency6:52 - More about whitespace as a metaphor for freedom7:58 - Bringing one story, one question into our conferences10:28 - Jeff's view: what causes teacher burnout?13:11 - What is the Teachers Unmuted blog on Substack all about?16:10 - Why Jeff writes about his professional practice20:08 - The hobbies and interests that keep Jeff on fire23:38 - Where to connect with Jeff Smith and Teachers UnmutedVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

🔥 How can we bring back the golden age of Edu Twitter?🔥 What happens when we step out of the classroom and into edtech?🔥 How should schools and districts think about AI tools for teachers right now?About This GuestScott Nunes is an international keynote speaker and award-winning education technology strategist. He leverages his network of AI researchers, Fortune-500 tech leaders, and workforce-development partners to share insights on the convergence of education, industry, and emerging technologies.Connect with Scotton LinkedIn,on X @mrnunesteach, on Instagram @iammredtech,and on his website, scottnunes.com.In This Conversation0:00:00 - Scott Nunes is an entrepreneur and former teacher based in Texas1:47 - The golden age of Edu Twitter3:15 - How can we bring back Edu Twitter today?5:58 - Scott retraces his professional steps8:49 - How Scott's PLN has produced professional mobility10:50 - How does the corporate life compare with the classroom?14:19 - Scott's value proposition for edtech companies and school districts20:48 - Scott's advice to schools and districts regarding AI tools27:28 - Is there still room for more new edtech companies?30:32 - Will AI replace teachers?34:57 - How Scott maintains his physical health40:00 - How and where to connect with Scott Nunes onlineVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

🔥 What happens when our doubts, mistakes, and questions start to take over?🔥 What is a quick, simple routine that we can follow to rekindle our fire?🔥 How can music build identity and belonging in a learning community?About This GuestSean Gaillard is a school administrator in North Carolina, author of The Pepper Effect, and host of the Leadership Liner Notes podcast. He blogs about leadership, education, and inspiration for Leadership Liner Notes, and is currently writing a new book for Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc. titled Leadership Riffs.Connect with Seanon LinkedIn,on X @smgaillard,on Instagram @smgaillard,on his blog at https://seangaillard.com/.In This Conversation0:00:00 - Sean Gaillard is a principal and author in Lexington, North Carolina1:59 - The dark times that education leaders face6:37 - Reset Step 1: Take a breath8:49 - Reset Step 2: Anchor in gratitude12:02 - Reset Step 3: Affirm and reframe15:28 - Reset Step 4: Reconnect21:36 - One more thing: your presence matters24:10 - Revisiting our why, passions, dreams, and values27:22 - How can music build identity and belonging?30:00 - What to expect from Leadership Riffs31:36 - How to motivate teams with low morale34:01 - How and where to connect with Sean Gaillard onlineVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track Credit: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

🔥 Are Kahoot and Blooket the best ways for students to review content?🔥 How can we build fluency, literacy, and thinking skills in the science classroom?🔥 What’s the role of pencils and paper in the classroom of 2025?Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.Today’s Teacher on Fire is Marcie Samayoa. Marcie is a high school chemistry teacher from Los Angeles, California with ten years of experience in the classroom. Through her blog, Scientists in the Making, she shares evidence-based teaching strategies that connect cognitive science to instructional practices.Connect with Marcieon LinkedIn,on X @SciInTheMaking on Instagram @scientistsinthemaking, andon her website at ⁠⁠www.scientistsinthemaking.com⁠⁠.In This Conversation⁠⁠0:00:00⁠⁠ - Marcie Samayoa is a high school chemistry teacher based in Los Angeles, CA⁠⁠1:43⁠⁠ - Doesn't Kahoot increase student engagement?⁠⁠4:16⁠⁠ - Review Step 1: a low-stakes practice test on paper with topics labeled⁠⁠5:48⁠⁠ - Review Step 2: turn to neighbours, compare answers, consult notes, discuss differences⁠⁠8:47⁠⁠ - Review Step 3: students note the topics that they struggled with⁠⁠8:54⁠⁠ - Review Step 4: students review weaker topics using retrieval⁠⁠10:10⁠⁠ - Review Step 5: 2nd practice test, this time in Google Forms without topics⁠⁠12:23⁠⁠ - Review Step 6: students take the test again as homework to build fluency⁠⁠16:55⁠⁠ - The current pushback from educators against overuse of edtech and AI in the classroom⁠⁠21:11⁠⁠ - Marcie's critique of Building Thinking Classrooms⁠⁠27:22⁠⁠ - How and where to connect with MarcieVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at ⁠⁠https://teachersonfire.net/⁠⁠.Song Track CreditOpening Song: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at⁠⁠ https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/⁠⁠.

🔥 Are Kahoot and Blooket the best ways for students to review content?🔥 How can we build fluency, literacy, and thinking skills in the science classroom?🔥 What’s the role of pencils and paper in the classroom of 2025?Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.Today’s Teacher on Fire is Marcie Samayoa. Marcie is a high school chemistry teacher from Los Angeles, California with ten years of experience in the classroom. Through her blog, Scientists in the Making, she shares evidence-based teaching strategies that connect cognitive science to instructional practices.Connect with Marcieon LinkedIn,on X @SciInTheMaking on Instagram @scientistsinthemaking, andon her website at ⁠www.scientistsinthemaking.com⁠.In This Conversation⁠0:00:00⁠ - Marcie Samayoa is a high school chemistry teacher based in Los Angeles, CA⁠1:43⁠ - Doesn't Kahoot increase student engagement?⁠4:16⁠ - Review Step 1: a low-stakes practice test on paper with topics labeled⁠5:48⁠ - Review Step 2: turn to neighbours, compare answers, consult notes, discuss differences⁠8:47⁠ - Review Step 3: students note the topics that they struggled with⁠8:54⁠ - Review Step 4: students review weaker topics using retrieval⁠10:10⁠ - Review Step 5: 2nd practice test, this time in Google Forms without topics⁠12:23⁠ - Review Step 6: students take the test again as homework to build fluency⁠16:55⁠ - The current pushback from educators against overuse of edtech and AI in the classroom⁠21:11⁠ - Marcie's critique of Building Thinking Classrooms⁠27:22⁠ - How and where to connect with MarcieVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at ⁠https://teachersonfire.net/⁠.Song Track CreditOpening Song: Tropic Fuse by French Fuse - retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at⁠ https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/⁠.Ending Song: Natural PhenomenaMusic by: CreatorMix.comVideo: ⁠https://youtu.be/v2DerSDbfCg⁠

🔥 Are Kahoot and Blooket the best ways for students to review content?🔥 How can we build fluency, literacy, and thinking skills in the science classroom?🔥 What’s the role of pencils and paper in the classroom of 2025?Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.Today’s Teacher on Fire is Marcie Samayoa. Marcie is a high school chemistry teacher from Los Angeles, California with ten years of experience in the classroom. Through her blog, Scientists in the Making, she shares evidence-based teaching strategies that connect cognitive science to instructional practices.Connect with Marcieon LinkedIn,on X @SciInTheMaking on Instagram @scientistsinthemaking, andon her website at www.scientistsinthemaking.com.In This Conversation0:00:00 - Marcie Samayoa is a high school chemistry teacher based in Los Angeles, CA1:43 - Doesn't Kahoot increase student engagement?4:16 - Review Step 1: a low-stakes practice test on paper with topics labeled5:48 - Review Step 2: turn to neighbours, compare answers, consult notes, discuss differences8:47 - Review Step 3: students note the topics that they struggled with8:54 - Review Step 4: students review weaker topics using retrieval10:10 - Review Step 5: 2nd practice test, this time in Google Forms without topics12:23 - Review Step 6: students take the test again as homework to build fluency16:55 - The current pushback from educators against overuse of edtech and AI in the classroom21:11 - Marcie's critique of Building Thinking Classrooms27:22 - How and where to connect with MarcieVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track CreditTropic Fuse by French FuseGO! by Neffex*All songs retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.

🔥 What can we do as teachers to uplift the students in our classrooms?🔥 What happens when our students see themselves in a story of learning?🔥 What should concern us most about AI tools in education?Welcome back to another episode of the Teachers on Fire Podcast, airing live on YouTube most Saturday mornings at 8am Pacific, 11am Eastern. My name is Tim Cavey, and my mission here is to warm your heart, spark your thinking, and ignite your professional practice.Today’s Teacher on Fire is Marcus Luther. Marcus is a high school English teacher with over a decade in the classroom. He cohosts a teacher-centered podcast and Substack called The Broken Copier, which focus on conversations and strategies to better support teachers.Connect with Marcuson LinkedIn,on X @marcusluther6, on Instagram @thebrokencopier, on BlueSky @marcusluther.bsky.social, and on Substack at thebrokencopier.substack.comIn This Conversation0:00:00 - Marcus Luther is a high school English teacher and host of The Broken Copier2:15 - The heaviness that can settle in a classroom4:31 - Uplifting Move 1: “Everyone write down what ___ said!"7:11 - Uplifting Move 2: Kneeling down and giving quiet praise9:37 - Uplifting Move 3: Ask if you can take a picture and use it as an example11:59 - Uplifting Move 4: Who can I brag to about how well you're doing?16:12 - Helping students reflect on their own writing journeys20:23 - What's the real problem with AI in K-12 education right now?28:27 - How and where to connect with Marcus Luther's reflections onlineVisit the home of Teachers on Fire at https://teachersonfire.net/.Song Track CreditTropic Fuse by French FuseGO! by Neffex*All songs retrieved from the YouTube Audio Library at https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/.