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Zach Groshell

@mrzachg.bsky.social

1.8K followers 380 following 220 posts

Teacher now developing teachers | PhD | Obsessed with improving schools | Progressively Incorrect🎙️ Author of Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching

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Zach Groshell @mrzachg.bsky.social · 3d

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.
educationrickshaw.com/2025/10/09/s...

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 …

educationrickshaw.com

Reposted by Zach Groshell

Anna Stokke @rastokke.bsky.social · 5d

I am a huge fan of @mrzachg.bsky.social so I was thrilled to be a guest on his podcast! He asks really good questions too! (Tough questions, but good questions.) Thank you Zach!
educationrickshaw.com/2025/10/09/s...

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 …

educationrickshaw.com

Zach Groshell @mrzachg.bsky.social · 10d

Join me and @Steplab_co at FLACS Middle School in the Bronx for a rip roaring intensive training on building an instructional coaching program that works.

Registration in link below 👇

educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/29/t...

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 …

educationrickshaw.com

Zach Groshell @mrzachg.bsky.social · 12d

Here’s a little about my experience with coaching as a new teacher, and some of the Steplab instructional coaching courses happening this winter -online and in person.

educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/29/t...

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 …

educationrickshaw.com

Zach Groshell @mrzachg.bsky.social · 12d

Explicit and Direct Instruction Systematically Manages Cognitive Load

It’s Not Just Lecturing!

educationrickshaw.com/2025/10/02/e...

Explicit and Direct Instruction Systematically Manages Cognitive Load—It’s Not Just Lecturing

I recently presented a two-part series for an organization called POPEY (the Provincial Outreach Program for the Early Years). A B.C.-based organization, they support K–3 educators with research-ba…

educationrickshaw.com

Zach Groshell @mrzachg.bsky.social · 13d

Hey folks, free webinar coming up in an hour (1pm Pacific)

educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/30/d...

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 …

educationrickshaw.com

Reposted by Zach Groshell

Ms. Sam @scientistsinthemaking.com · 14d

As a longtime listener, it was surreal to be on the other side of the mic! Thanks @mrzachg.bsky.social for the opportunity to discuss science education and how teachers can balance explicit instruction with NGSS. Check it out below ⬇️

educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/28/s...

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 …

educationrickshaw.com

Zach Groshell @mrzachg.bsky.social · 15d

Two fantastic PD sessions available for free on the Popey website, which is evidence of Canada’s growing commitment towards all learners

www.popey.ca/webinars/zac...

Zach Groshell series

The Provincial Outreach Program for the Early Years (POPEY) is a British Columbia Ministry of Education and Child Care Provincial Resource Program with an outreach focus.

Zach Groshell @mrzachg.bsky.social · 15d

Free Webinar Opportunity:

Direct Instruction (DI) Embodies the Science of Learning

educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/30/d...

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 …

educationrickshaw.com

Zach Groshell @mrzachg.bsky.social · 16d

🚨 Announcement 🚨

Join me for the Instructional Coaching Intensive in New York City!

It's a great opportunity to get out and hone your feedback and observation skills.

Supercharged by Steplab, this is the coaching approach schools are waiting for.

educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/29/t...

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 …

educationrickshaw.com

Zach Groshell @mrzachg.bsky.social · 18d

The feedback I use for coaching educators isn’t just theory—it’s been field-tested in 14,000 Steplab schools. At this point, I’m convinced: it’s a formula for feedback that actually lands, every time.

Learn all about it in this training program:

steplab.co/news/steplab...

Steplab Coaching Ambassador Program, North America

Become a certified US/Canada Steplab Instructional Coaching Ambassador with our new pathway to great coaching.

Zach Groshell @mrzachg.bsky.social · 24d

The greatest myth of math education is not learning styles, not timed tests, and not productive struggle.

It’s that we should pretend that kids hating math has to do with some mystical mindset and not the quality of instruction.

educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/20/s...

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 e…

educationrickshaw.com

Zach Groshell @mrzachg.bsky.social · 28d

Success breeds success. Direct and explicit instruction propels a virtuous cycle. It gets kids on a winning streak.

educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/16/d...

Direct Instruction Motivation, Part 3: Success, Not Struggle

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 s…

educationrickshaw.com

Zach Groshell @mrzachg.bsky.social · 28d

S5E02: Linda Diamond & Paige Pullen on Connecting Learning, Literacy, and Instruction

educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/15/s...

S5E02: Linda Diamond & Paige Pullen on Connecting Learning, Literacy, and Instruction

In this powerful episode, I’m joined by two of the most influential voices in literacy education today—Linda Diamond and Paige Pullen. With decades of experience in education, Linda and Paige bring…

educationrickshaw.com

Zach Groshell @mrzachg.bsky.social · Sep 15

The latest episode of Progressively Incorrect speaks to a missing piece of some districts’ science of reading initiatives: the crucial role of effective instruction and the broader science of learning.

educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/15/s...

S5E02: Linda Diamond & Paige Pullen on Connecting Learning, Literacy, and Instruction

In this powerful premiere episode, I’m joined by two of the most influential voices in literacy education today—Linda Diamond and Paige Pullen. With decades of experience in education, Linda and Pa…

educationrickshaw.com

Reposted by Zach Groshell

Tom K @gctom.bsky.social · Sep 12

@gregashman.bsky.social was the first person who I engaged with and challenged me in a way that shattered my pedagogy and I hated him at first for it. Craig Barton has a much better story of leaving behind the inquiry-led drivel. But I’ll always appreciate what Greg Ashman did for me and my students

Zach Groshell @mrzachg.bsky.social · Sep 7

Wonderful news: lots of people like this episode, where myths are dispelled and evidence is discussed about explicit instruction.

educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/02/s...

S5E01: Greg Ashman on Explicit Teaching and Inquiry Learning

Welcome to Season 5 of Progressively Incorrect! In this special premiere episode, I’m joined by Greg Ashman, a leading advocate for explicit instruction and one of the most important voices in educ…

educationrickshaw.com

Zach Groshell @mrzachg.bsky.social · Sep 7

Wonderful news: lots of people like this episode, where myths are dispelled and evidence is discussed about explicit instruction.

educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/02/s...

S5E01: Greg Ashman on Explicit Teaching and Inquiry Learning

Welcome to Season 5 of Progressively Incorrect! In this special premiere episode, I’m joined by Greg Ashman, a leading advocate for explicit instruction and one of the most important voices in educ…

educationrickshaw.com

Zach Groshell @mrzachg.bsky.social · Sep 7

This post is about how I plan lessons from scratch, what we get right and wrong about lesson planning, and the great paradox of lesson planning:

In a perfect world, it wouldn’t even exist!

educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/06/t...

The Truth About Lesson Planning

The first truth about lesson planning is a paradox: in a perfect world, it wouldn’t even exist. Designing curriculum and instruction is its own science, and a difficult one at that. When well-desig…

educationrickshaw.com

Zach Groshell @mrzachg.bsky.social · Sep 2

Season 5 is here! 🎉

Episode 1 is an absolute firestarter 🔥 - Greg Ashman joins me to unpack recent attempts to villainize “step-by-step instruction." We dive into productive failure, teacher prep, and the ideological divides in education.

educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/02/s...

S5E01: Greg Ashman on Explicit Teaching and Inquiry Learning

Welcome to Season 5 of Progressively Incorrect! In this special premiere episode, I’m joined by Greg Ashman, a leading advocate for explicit instruction and one of the most important voices in educ…

educationrickshaw.com

Zach Groshell @mrzachg.bsky.social · Aug 17

Lovely interview with host, Robyn Young, about the importance of evidence-based teaching, cognitive science, and how to avoid common instructional myths.

open.spotify.com/episode/1ijC...

Just Tell Them: BTEL with Zach Groshell PhD

Behind the Educator's Lens · Episode

open.spotify.com

Zach Groshell @mrzachg.bsky.social · Aug 10

Somewhere amid the cajoling for a 5:1 ratio of praise to reprimand, and the countless attempts to gamify and incentivize student achievement, there is a path towards using praise in conjunction with Direct and Explicit Instruction to move kids forward

educationrickshaw.com/2025/08/08/d...

Direct Instruction Motivation Part 2: Productive Praise

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 s…

educationrickshaw.com

Zach Groshell @mrzachg.bsky.social · Aug 10

I’ve done many writing episodes this season, including the very popular Writing Revolution episode. Great to end this season talking with a researcher- who has always been one foot in the classroom - about what research implies for writing instruction!

educationrickshaw.com/2025/08/10/s...

S4E39: Shawn Datchuk on Teaching Sentence Construction with Precision

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m joined by Dr. Shawn Datchuk, a leading researcher who’s helped shape how we think about sentence construction for struggling learners. Drawing from t…

educationrickshaw.com

Reposted by Zach Groshell

Josh Fisher @textsavvy.org · Aug 8

"And students like Micah learn the wrong lesson: that surface-level activity earns the same praise as newfound competence."

Spot on.

Zach Groshell @mrzachg.bsky.social · Aug 8

Here is the highly awaited Part 2 of my series on motivation within Direct and Explicit Instruction.

This one is all about praise and acknowledgement.

Engelmann makes an appearance, as does poor Micah's hot glued "robot."

educationrickshaw.com/2025/08/08/d...

Direct Instruction Motivation Part 2: Productive Praise

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 s…

educationrickshaw.com

Zach Groshell @mrzachg.bsky.social · Aug 8

Here is the highly awaited Part 2 of my series on motivation within Direct and Explicit Instruction.

This one is all about praise and acknowledgement.

Engelmann makes an appearance, as does poor Micah's hot glued "robot."

educationrickshaw.com/2025/08/08/d...

Direct Instruction Motivation Part 2: Productive Praise

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 s…

educationrickshaw.com

Zach Groshell @mrzachg.bsky.social · Aug 8

Over 100 reviews!

a.co/d/4ZNX4IK

Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching

Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching [Groshell, Zach] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching