PODCAST · education
Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works
by Gene Tavernetti
Descriptions of effective teaching often depict an idealized form of "perfect" instruction. Yet, pursuing perfection in teaching, which depends on children's behavior, is ultimately futile. To be effective, lessons and educators need to operate with about 75% efficiency. The remaining 25% can be impactful, but expecting it in every lesson, every day, is unrealistic. Perfection in teaching may be unattainable, but progress is not. Whether you are aiming for the 75% effectiveness mark or striving for continuous improvement, this podcast will guide you in that endeavor.
Episodes
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Digital Captives: Reclaiming the Human Side of Teaching
Summary In this from-the-archives episode, Bart Hoffman interviews Dr. Frank Rodriguez and Gene Tavernetti about their book Digital Captives: Helping Schools Strike a Balance Between Humans and Hardware. They trace how technology moved from a tool intended to augment instruction into something…
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Culture Is Built, Not Inherited: How Schools Actually Change
Summary Gene Tavernetti examines the familiar explanation that school improvement is difficult because “it’s just the culture.” Drawing on work with schools across the United States and Canada, he argues that culture is not fixed atmosphere—it is the residue of daily decisions, habits, and...
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How to Sabotage a Coach
Summary Instructional coaches are often treated as a school’s all-purpose backup: covering classes, managing testing logistics, joining extra committees, and handling whatever emergency appears next. In this episode of Better Teaching, Gene Tavernetti explains how those individually reasonable...
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The Coaching Trap: Why Scripted Feedback Makes Coaching More Human
Summary In this episode of Better Teaching, Gene Tavernetti challenges the belief that effective coaching must be spontaneous and unscripted. He explains why a well-designed coaching script does not make a feedback conversation rigid or inauthentic—it gives the coach a reliable structure for...
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Teaching Adolescents to Read: Faith Howard on Literacy Intervention That Works
Summary What does effective literacy intervention look like for students in middle and high school? Faith Howard returns to Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works to explain how she built Literacy Lab, a 6–12 intervention model that combines the science of reading with age-appropriate…
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Before Innovation, Fluency: Why Every New Teacher Needs Explicit Instruction
Summary What should every new teacher know before they are asked to improvise, differentiate, or innovate? Gene Tavernetti argues that one of the most important foundations is fluency in explicit instruction—not just hearing about it in professional development, but learning to design it, deliver...
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Evidence-Based Schools with Glenn Whitman
Summary Glenn Whitman is a distinguished educator who has worked with schools around the world to support schools and teachers bringing evidence practices to their classrooms. In this episode Glenn talks about his own school’s journey to becoming an evidence-based teaching institution, his...
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AI Literacy with Kate Meyer and Nicole Davis
Summary Kate Meyers and Nicole Davis, AKA Two Maine Teachers and authors the EduProtocol Field Guide: AI Literacy Edition, discuss AI, AI in schools, AI for teachers, and AI for literacy for students. Show Notes LinkedIn: two-maine-teachers Facebook: Facebook Website: twomaineteachers.com Book…
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How to Start Coaching Faster and More Effectively
In this episode, I talk about how to get a faster and more effective start to coaching this year. This podcast sponsored by: The Bell Ringer, a weekly newsletter providing news, tools, and resources on the science of learning, written by education reporter Holly Korbey. Subscribe here.
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From the Archives: Teach FAST with Gene Tavernetti
Everyone says one of the most effective ways to teach new content is by using explicit instruction. But fewer teachers than you might think can deliver an effective explicit instruction lesson. Dr. Tavernetti wrote Teach FAST to help remedy that situation and help guide teachers to more effective...
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Show Your Work with Beth Hawks
Beth Hawks talks about her new book, Show Your Work: Teaching Smarter with the Science of Learning as well as her professional path to the Science of Learning and how she utilized it in her teaching. This podcast sponsored by: The Bell Ringer, a weekly newsletter providing news, tools, and...
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Building Star Lab with Alison Rini
In this episode Alison Rini, founder of Star Lab school in Sarasota, Florida, describes her journey in education and how her vision of a microschool became a reality. After 25 years of teaching and leading public, private, and charter schools, Alison Rini left the school system and designed a...
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Consulting and Career Updates - Thinking Out Loud #7
This is latest in our series of Thinking Out Loud. In this episode Zach Grosell and I talk about your year in consulting and a plethora of other topics. Links: Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching Maximizing the Impact of Coaching Cycles This podcast sponsored by: The...
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The Challenges of Maintaining a Quality Thematic School with Jane Wagner
Jane Wagner spent more than 30 years as a teacher and driving force of an award-winning K-8 Visual and Performing Arts magnet school. In this episode we discuss the challenges of maintaining a quality thematic school. Gene's Books: Teach Fast Maximizing the Impact of Coaching Cycles Digital...
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The Timing of Implementation
In this episode, I talk about what takes more time than we think when it comes to implementation, and what takes longer than we think. Links: Gene's Books: Teach Fast Maximizing the Impact of Coaching Cycles Digital Captives X: (1) Gene Tavernetti (@gtavernetti) / X LinkedIn:(7) Gene Tavernetti |...
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Building a Apprenticeship Program That Keeps Great Teachers in the Classroom with Anthony Fitzpatrick
In this episode Dr. Anthony Fitzpatrick talks about a unique apprenticeship program designed to enhance skills of teachers and facilitate movement on the salary schedule all without intrusive amounts of time after regular school hours. Who benefits? Everyone! Links: LinkedIn: Anthony Fitzpatrick,...
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From the Archives: Teaching the Language of Math with Dr. Randy Palisoc
In this episode, Gene Tavernetti speaks with Dr. Randy Palisoc, a passionate educator known for his innovative approach to teaching math. Dr. Palisoc shares his experiences and strategies for making math easy for students, focusing on the importance of understanding math as a language. They…
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The Issue with "We Do" in Explicit Instruction
In this solo episode, Gene Tavernetti breaks down why most "we do" approaches to guided practice don't work. Using decimal addition as a teaching example, he shows how to isolate and pre-teach the key concept before practice even starts. He exposes three common but ineffective guided practice...
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Word Mapping with Sean Morrisey
In this episode, host Gene Tavernetti speaks with Sean Morrissey, a fifth-grade teacher and former school psychologist, about his structured, research-based approach to vocabulary instruction. Sean shares his four-part daily lesson framework — retrieval practice, explicit instruction, fluency...
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What NOT To Do In Professional Development
In this episode Gene shares some thoughts about what he has learned about what NOT to do when it comes to providing professional development and support for teachers and staff. Links: Gene's Books: Teach Fast Maximizing the Impact of Coaching Cycles Digital Captives X: (1) Gene Tavernetti...
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From Reforming Legislation to Classroom Practice with Rachel Canter
Rachel Canter didn’t just report on the Mississippi Marathon—she was involved from the beginning of the state’s long journey toward educational improvement. In this episode, we discuss why meaningful change took so long and what it took to move reform from legislation into actual classroom...
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From the Archives: Providing Support to Teachers with Zach Groshell
In this episode, Dr. Groshell and I discuss how to begin when providing support to teachers. Both Zach and Gene currently work in schools supporting teachers in their quest to be their best for students. Dr. Zach Groshell is the host of the popular podcast Progressively Incorrect and the author…
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Facts on Fire with Brian Poncy
In this episode, Dr. Brian Poncy shares the story behind his free math fact fluency program, Facts on Fire. We explore how the program started, how it has evolved over time, and what classroom teachers can realistically expect from students using a model that takes less than 10 minutes a day over...
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What Works, What Doesn't, and Other Lessons from Leadership with Dr. Bob Nelson
In this episode, Bob shares his professional journey—from his early years in Fresno Unified School District, one of the largest districts in California, to leading a small rural district, and ultimately returning to Fresno Unified as superintendent. Along the way, he reflects on the lessons he’s...
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The Road to Reading with Elana Gordon
Elana Gordon is the fifth Goyen Fellow to join the podcast. Like the others before her, she is a knowledgeable and skilled educator who shares her expertise through videos, blogs, and a highly regarded podcast focused on literacy instruction from kindergarten through secondary grades. X/Twitter:...
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From The Archives: Teachers Helping Teachers Getting Better with Laura Stam
In this episode teacher leader Laura Stam shares personal experiences in her journey to continual improvement in her teaching practice. Laura also describes her experience of participating in an instructional coaching cycle for the first time. Links: X: @stamstam193 Facebook: @Mrs.Stam.2021 This...
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From The Archives: Digital Delusion with Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath
In this episode Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath and I discuss his new book; Digital Delusion and the intersection of what science knows about how we learn and the impacts of technology on that learning. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-cooney-horvath-phd-med-730704b2/ Instagram:...
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Science Delivered with Dr. Olivia Mullins
Dr. Olivia Mullins returns to the podcast to discuss her work teaching science with primary grade students. We discuss how she is using research in improving students' reading comprehension in the science lessons. LInks: Website: https://www.science-delivered.org/ X: Olivia Mullins…
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Great On Their Behalf with AJ Crabill
AJ Crabill explains that school boards should represent community values and set student outcome goals—not micromanage operations. Effective boards match words with actions by consistently monitoring learning data, while most fail by getting distracted from their core mission: ensuring children...
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Digital Captives: Helping Schools Strike a Balance Between Humans and Hardware with Dr. Frank Rodriguez & Gene Tavernetti
In this episode, a friend of the podcast Bart Hoffman, interviews Frank Rodriguez and Gene Tavernetti about their new book and the importance of being more intentional about how technology is used in schools. They discuss the challenges educators face in balancing digital tools with meaningful...
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Building Strong Foundations in Literacy and Mathematics with Anjanette McNeely
In this episode, I’m joined by Anjanette McNeely, an award-winning kindergarten teacher in Davis County, Utah, who is deeply committed to research-informed classroom practice. Anjanette focuses on translating educational research into practical strategies that help every student build strong...
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Pulling Back the Curtain on Principalship with Joey Davis
In this episode, veteran school leader Joey Davis pulls back the curtain on the path to the principalship — and the reality of serving as “middle management” in today’s schools. We talk candidly about the highs, the hard days, and the constant balancing act between district expectations and...
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The Critical Role of Executive Functions in Early Learning with Dr. Sarah Oberle & Mitch Weathers
In this episode, Dr. Sarah Oberle and Mitch Weathers join the conversation to explore the critical role of executive functions in early learning — and why they matter so much for young students. We discuss how skills like self-regulation, organization, and cognitive flexibility lay the foundation...
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From the Archives: What Teachers and Students Need to Know About How We Learn with Blake Harvard
In this episode, Gene interviews Blake Harvard, Blake discussed his new book: Do I Have Your Attention: Understanding Memory Constraints and Maximizing Learning and what he teaches his students about learning. 01:36 Festival of Education and Presentation Highlights 06:25 Understanding Memory...
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The Surprises of Returning to Teaching with Rod Naquin
Rod made the move back to the classroom after years as a leadership and instructional coach. In this episode, he reflects on the surprises of returning to teaching—and how his experiences beyond the classroom shaped his transition. We talk specifically about how he has changed his writing...
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Building Trust, Attention, and Engagement in the Classroom with Weston Kieschnick
Weston Kieschnick and I discuss teaching, coaching, leadership, relationship building, parenting, and the heavy burden of being funniest person in his family. This was a fun conversation with a great educator and a great guy. X: Weston Kieschnick (@wes_kieschnick) / X LinkedIn: (1) Weston...
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The Impact of Instructional Design with Dave McAlinden
Dave McAlinden is an instructional designer at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies. In this episode, we start by clarifying a question many educators have: What does an instructional designer actually do? If you’ve ever taken an online course, you’ve already experienced the…
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Teaching History Honestly with Lauren Brown
Lauren Brown and I discuss how social studies and history instruction shifts and deepens as students grow, mature, and develop a greater capacity for understanding over time. Lauren hosts podcasts on teaching US History. Folks can also find the registration link on my Substack, on the Teacher...
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From the Archives: The Importance of Knowing How Students Learn with Dr. Carl Hendrick
Dr. Carl Hendrick is known throughout the world for his expertise in the science of learning. In addition to publishing numerous articles, he has co-authored two books How Learning Happens and How Teaching Happens in which he shares the most impactful research on this topic. In this episode he...
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Self-Directed Professional Development with Joe Finch
Joe Finch is a 5th grade teacher in Kelseyville, California. Joe is committed to the teaching profession and truly desires to improve his craft. In this episode he describes how he discovered the science of learning in his search to improve and how he developed his own professional development...
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Digital Delusion with Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath
In this episode Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath and I discuss his new book; Digital Delusion and the intersection of what science knows about how we learn and the impacts of technology on that learning. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-cooney-horvath-phd-med-730704b2/ Instagram:...
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Lessons from the Southern Surge with Karen Vaites
Karen Vaites is well-known as a literacy advocate. In this episode we discuss the Southern Surge, the Mississippi Miracle, and the Louisiana and Tennessee increases (sorry no alliterative descriptors) in literacy scores. Episode Links: X: Karen Vaites (@karenvaites) / X Karen Vaites | Substack...
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Making Writing Instruction a Priority with Josie Wozniak & Kimberly Voge
Two teachers, one middle school and one elementary, share how they have made writing instruction a priority. Josie Wozniak and Kimberly Voge are avid users and proponents of EduProtocols to support their writing instruction. In this episode they share how students are able to write more. But more...
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Implementing and Evaluating New Literacy Curriculum with Kelly Harkins
The process of deciding which High Quality Instructional Materials to adopt is not as straight forward as it might seem. There are good options, and there are good teachers with varying opinions. Kelly Harkins, Supervisor of Elementary English Language Arts, describes her district’s two different...
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Supporting Reading Fluency and Literacy Beyond the Early Grades with Doug Lemov
In this episode with Doug Lemov we discuss how teachers can support reading fluency and literacy beyond the early grades. Doug also describes his work with professional sports teams helping the coaches be more effective teachers. And much, much more! Books: The Teach Like a Champion Guide to the...
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Providing Support to Teachers - Thinking Out Loud #6
Enjoy another installment of Thinking Out Loud with Zach Groshell. In this episode, Dr. Groshell and I discuss how to begin when providing support to teachers. Both Zach and Gene currently work in schools supporting teachers in their quest to be their best for students. Dr. Zach Groshell is the...
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From the Archives: The Science of Reading with Linda Rhyne
In this episode, Gene Tavernetti speaks with Linda Rhyne, award-winning educator and owner of Rhyne Consulting. They discuss the changing landscape of literacy education, instructional coaching, and practical strategies for supporting teachers. Linda shares her vast experience in teaching…
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Literacy Labs and Other Practical Strategies with Faith Howard
Faith Howard knew something had to change. As a Literacy Specialist, in her school district she wasn’t making the impact she knew was possible. With the support of her administration, Faith reimagined her role and launched a “Literacy Lab” — a space designed to emphasize the SOR principles in...
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Great Coaching is Just Great Teaching with Al Borges
Al Borges has coached football at the highest levels of the college game. In this episode, he talks about how great coaching is really just great teaching. You’ll hear familiar ideas—like managing cognitive load, respecting the learning hierarchy, and using retrieval practice to make learning...
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Learning Science Partners with Meg Lee
After recently retiring from Frederick County Public Schools, where she played a key role in advancing evidence-based instruction, Meg Lee has joined forces with her longtime friend and colleague, Dr. Jim Heal, to launch Learning Science Partners. Their organization is dedicated to supporting...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Descriptions of effective teaching often depict an idealized form of "perfect" instruction. Yet, pursuing perfection in teaching, which depends on children's behavior, is ultimately futile. To be effective, lessons and educators need to operate with about 75% efficiency. The remaining 25% can be impactful, but expecting it in every lesson, every day, is unrealistic. Perfection in teaching may be unattainable, but progress is not. Whether you are aiming for the 75% effectiveness mark or striving for continuous improvement, this podcast will guide you in that endeavor.
HOSTED BY
Gene Tavernetti
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works have?
Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works currently has 118 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works about?
Descriptions of effective teaching often depict an idealized form of "perfect" instruction. Yet, pursuing perfection in teaching, which depends on children's behavior, is ultimately futile. To be effective, lessons and educators need to operate with about 75% efficiency. The remaining 25% can be...
How often does Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works release new episodes?
Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works publishes regularly with 118 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works?
You can listen to Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works?
Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works is created and hosted by Gene Tavernetti.
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