Zach Groshell
@mrzachg.bsky.social
Teacher now developing teachers | PhD | Obsessed with improving schools | Progressively Incorrect🎙️
Author of Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching
Author of Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching
I’m joined by Marty Siegel, Professor Emeritus of Informatics and Instructional Systems Technology, and a pioneer whose career bridges Direct Instruction, large-scale computer-based learning, and the emerging world of AI-driven instruction.
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/23/s...
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/23/s...
S5E09: Marty Siegel on Direct Instruction Engineering and the Future of EdTech
In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m joined by Marty Siegel, Professor Emeritus of Informatics and Instructional Systems Technology, and a pioneer whose career bridges early Direct Instr…
educationrickshaw.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:36 AM
I’m joined by Marty Siegel, Professor Emeritus of Informatics and Instructional Systems Technology, and a pioneer whose career bridges Direct Instruction, large-scale computer-based learning, and the emerging world of AI-driven instruction.
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/23/s...
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/23/s...
I wanted to talk to someone truly serious about EdTech - someone who knows principles of Direct Instruction Design inside and out, and has built learning systems with rugged efficiency.
There are very few people like this. Marty Siegel is one of them.
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/23/s...
There are very few people like this. Marty Siegel is one of them.
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/23/s...
S5E09: Marty Siegel on Direct Instruction Engineering and the Future of EdTech
In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m joined by Marty Siegel, Professor Emeritus of Informatics and Instructional Systems Technology, and a pioneer whose career bridges early Direct Instr…
educationrickshaw.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:55 PM
I wanted to talk to someone truly serious about EdTech - someone who knows principles of Direct Instruction Design inside and out, and has built learning systems with rugged efficiency.
There are very few people like this. Marty Siegel is one of them.
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/23/s...
There are very few people like this. Marty Siegel is one of them.
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/23/s...
Direct Instruction isn’t a relic, it’s the blueprint. The evidence converges: kids win when design + delivery align.
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/17/w...
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/17/w...
Why Direct Instruction Remains Relevant Today
Direct Instruction—note the capital D and I—is the OG of explicit teaching. Back in the mid-1960s, folks at the University of Illinois and later at Oregon arrived at a simple but essential insight:…
educationrickshaw.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Direct Instruction isn’t a relic, it’s the blueprint. The evidence converges: kids win when design + delivery align.
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/17/w...
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/17/w...
Techniques to prevent fires:
Clear, observable, sequential directions
Non verbals
Praise and positive framing
Private corrections for small behaviors
These together form the “What to Do Cycle” - a tidy cluster of techniques that get ahead of behavior.
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/10/s...
Clear, observable, sequential directions
Non verbals
Praise and positive framing
Private corrections for small behaviors
These together form the “What to Do Cycle” - a tidy cluster of techniques that get ahead of behavior.
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/10/s...
S5E08: Doug Lemov on “What to Do” and Active Observation Techniques
In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m re-joined by Doug Lemov—author of Teach Like a Champion and The Coach’s Guide to Teaching, and one of the most influential figures in the history of …
educationrickshaw.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Techniques to prevent fires:
Clear, observable, sequential directions
Non verbals
Praise and positive framing
Private corrections for small behaviors
These together form the “What to Do Cycle” - a tidy cluster of techniques that get ahead of behavior.
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/10/s...
Clear, observable, sequential directions
Non verbals
Praise and positive framing
Private corrections for small behaviors
These together form the “What to Do Cycle” - a tidy cluster of techniques that get ahead of behavior.
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/10/s...
On the one hand, collaboration could be expected to reduce cognitive load, because it distributes thinking across different people.
On the other hand, collaboration comes with transactional costs, such as arguing and social loafing.
Check out the blog ⬇️
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/12/t...
On the other hand, collaboration comes with transactional costs, such as arguing and social loafing.
Check out the blog ⬇️
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/12/t...
The Escape Room Problem With Collaborative Cognitive Load Theory
Every so often, someone who knows I’m a fan of Cognitive Load Theory brings up its collaborative offshoot, Collaborative Cognitive Load Theory (see Open Access Article here), and wonders what I thi…
educationrickshaw.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:16 AM
On the one hand, collaboration could be expected to reduce cognitive load, because it distributes thinking across different people.
On the other hand, collaboration comes with transactional costs, such as arguing and social loafing.
Check out the blog ⬇️
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/12/t...
On the other hand, collaboration comes with transactional costs, such as arguing and social loafing.
Check out the blog ⬇️
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/12/t...
New blog!
The Science of learning gives names to phenomena teachers already observe every day. The more unnecessary jargon we strip out, the more cognitive bandwidth teachers have to focus on what actually moves the needle.
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/16/s...
The Science of learning gives names to phenomena teachers already observe every day. The more unnecessary jargon we strip out, the more cognitive bandwidth teachers have to focus on what actually moves the needle.
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/16/s...
Science of Learning Jargon And Element Interactivity
A possible barrier to the science of learning movement is that there are potentially a lot of research terms and definitions that need to be learned in order to communicate clearly with one another…
educationrickshaw.com
November 16, 2025 at 11:54 PM
New blog!
The Science of learning gives names to phenomena teachers already observe every day. The more unnecessary jargon we strip out, the more cognitive bandwidth teachers have to focus on what actually moves the needle.
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/16/s...
The Science of learning gives names to phenomena teachers already observe every day. The more unnecessary jargon we strip out, the more cognitive bandwidth teachers have to focus on what actually moves the needle.
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/16/s...
Should we try to get kids discover it for themselves or just tell them?
What does the evidence say about modeling and demonstration?
This is the number one book in Educational PD and Administration.
Hope you enjoy reading 📖
a.co/d/bgKY1W9
What does the evidence say about modeling and demonstration?
This is the number one book in Educational PD and Administration.
Hope you enjoy reading 📖
a.co/d/bgKY1W9
Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching: Groshell, Zach: 9781036003685: Amazon.com: Books
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
a.co
November 16, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Should we try to get kids discover it for themselves or just tell them?
What does the evidence say about modeling and demonstration?
This is the number one book in Educational PD and Administration.
Hope you enjoy reading 📖
a.co/d/bgKY1W9
What does the evidence say about modeling and demonstration?
This is the number one book in Educational PD and Administration.
Hope you enjoy reading 📖
a.co/d/bgKY1W9
Doug Lemov talks about my two favorite Teach Like a Champion heavy-hitters: The What to Do Cycle and Active Observation.
You'll love it!
Any educators rocking TLAC, please help me spread it around!
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/10/s...
You'll love it!
Any educators rocking TLAC, please help me spread it around!
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/10/s...
S5E08: Doug Lemov on “What to Do” and Active Observation Techniques
In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m re-joined by Doug Lemov—author of Teach Like a Champion and The Coach’s Guide to Teaching, and one of the most influential figures in the history of …
educationrickshaw.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Doug Lemov talks about my two favorite Teach Like a Champion heavy-hitters: The What to Do Cycle and Active Observation.
You'll love it!
Any educators rocking TLAC, please help me spread it around!
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/10/s...
You'll love it!
Any educators rocking TLAC, please help me spread it around!
educationrickshaw.com/2025/11/10/s...
You’ll need to press translate to read this - but a fun interview about my book’s impact in Sweden
www.vilarare.se/nyheter/guid...
www.vilarare.se/nyheter/guid...
Guide: Fånga eleverna med strukturerad undervisning
Läraren och undervisningscoachen Zach Groshells undervisningsråd: ”Berätta bara för eleverna vad de ska kunna”.
www.vilarare.se
November 2, 2025 at 6:09 AM
You’ll need to press translate to read this - but a fun interview about my book’s impact in Sweden
www.vilarare.se/nyheter/guid...
www.vilarare.se/nyheter/guid...
Denarius Frazier - perhaps the best teacher ever caught on camera - has a lot to say about how to build classrooms that run like clockwork.
This is a fantastic episode that explores the impact and scalability of masterful teaching.
educationrickshaw.com/2025/10/25/s...
This is a fantastic episode that explores the impact and scalability of masterful teaching.
educationrickshaw.com/2025/10/25/s...
S5E07: Denarius Frazier on Belonging, Rigor, and and Scaling Effective Teaching
In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m joined by Denarius Frazier—Managing Director of Academics at Uncommon Schools, co-author of Reconnect: Building School Culture for Meaning, Purpose, …
educationrickshaw.com
October 25, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Denarius Frazier - perhaps the best teacher ever caught on camera - has a lot to say about how to build classrooms that run like clockwork.
This is a fantastic episode that explores the impact and scalability of masterful teaching.
educationrickshaw.com/2025/10/25/s...
This is a fantastic episode that explores the impact and scalability of masterful teaching.
educationrickshaw.com/2025/10/25/s...
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...
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
October 12, 2025 at 1:56 AM
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...
educationrickshaw.com/2025/10/09/s...
Reposted by Zach Groshell
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...
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
October 10, 2025 at 2:22 AM
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...
educationrickshaw.com/2025/10/09/s...
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...
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
October 5, 2025 at 6:06 PM
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...
Registration in link below 👇
educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/29/t...
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...
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
October 3, 2025 at 3:24 AM
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...
educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/29/t...
Explicit and Direct Instruction Systematically Manages Cognitive Load
It’s Not Just Lecturing!
educationrickshaw.com/2025/10/02/e...
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
October 2, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Explicit and Direct Instruction Systematically Manages Cognitive Load
It’s Not Just Lecturing!
educationrickshaw.com/2025/10/02/e...
It’s Not Just Lecturing!
educationrickshaw.com/2025/10/02/e...
Reposted by Zach Groshell
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...
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
October 1, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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...
educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/28/s...
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...
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.
www.popey.ca
September 30, 2025 at 10:35 PM
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...
www.popey.ca/webinars/zac...
Free Webinar Opportunity:
Direct Instruction (DI) Embodies the Science of Learning
educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/30/d...
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
September 30, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Free Webinar Opportunity:
Direct Instruction (DI) Embodies the Science of Learning
educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/30/d...
Direct Instruction (DI) Embodies the Science of Learning
educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/30/d...
🚨 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...
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
September 29, 2025 at 10:18 PM
🚨 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...
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...
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...
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.
steplab.co
September 27, 2025 at 4:41 PM
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...
Learn all about it in this training program:
steplab.co/news/steplab...
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...
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
September 21, 2025 at 4:13 PM
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...
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...
Success breeds success. Direct and explicit instruction propels a virtuous cycle. It gets kids on a winning streak.
educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/16/d...
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
September 17, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Success breeds success. Direct and explicit instruction propels a virtuous cycle. It gets kids on a winning streak.
educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/16/d...
educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/16/d...