DI Voices #4: Sofia Gutierrez
Aug 28, 2025
Show notes
I’m thrilled to share a new project straight from the heart of this year’s National Direct Instruction Conference and Institutes — a new YouTube playlist I’ve put together called DI Voices.
Armed with just my phone and a little persistence, I tracked down educators between sessions (no small feat at this amazing, high-energy event!) to capture bite-sized, on-the-ground conversations about what Direct Instruction looks like in real schools, with real students, and real support.
In this mini-episode, Sofia Gutierrez explores how Direct Instruction might help students with behavioral challenges — by giving them the academic success they need to thrive. As an educator and researcher, she’s investigating the powerful link between learning and behavior, and DI is at the center of her inquiry.
These mini-episodes aren’t slick or scripted — they’re raw, real, and packed with insight. You’ll hear from teachers, principals, researchers, and NIFDI team members who are doing the work and generously sharing their experiences.
DI Voices #3: Athena Trust
Aug 16, 2025
Show notes
I’m thrilled to share a new project straight from the heart of this year’s National Direct Instruction Conference and Institutes — a new YouTube playlist I’ve put together called DI Voices.
Armed with just my phone and a little persistence, I tracked down educators between sessions (no small feat at this amazing, high-energy event!) to capture bite-sized, on-the-ground conversations about what Direct Instruction looks like in real schools, with real students, and real support.
In this mini-episode, the team from Athena Trust joins us from the UK to share how DI Math is fueling huge gains for their students — and how fidelity and support make the difference.
These mini-episodes aren’t slick or scripted — they’re raw, real, and packed with insight. You’ll hear from teachers, principals, researchers, and NIFDI team members who are doing the work and generously sharing their experiences.
I’m thrilled to share a new project straight from the heart of this year’s National Direct Instruction Conference and Institutes — a new YouTube playlist I’ve put together called DI Voices.
In this mini-episode, principal Sean Duncan reflects on his school’s success with DI reading — and how that’s driving momentum for DI math, with NIFDI’s support.
Armed with just my phone and a little persistence, I tracked down educators between sessions (no small feat at this amazing, high-energy event!) to capture bite-sized, on-the-ground conversations about what Direct Instruction looks like in real schools, with real students, and real support.
These mini-episodes aren’t slick or scripted — they’re raw, real, and packed with insight. You’ll hear from teachers, principals, researchers, and NIFDI team members who are doing the work and generously sharing their experiences.
I’m thrilled to share a new project straight from the heart of this year’s National Direct Instruction Conference and Institutes — a new YouTube playlist I’ve put together called DI Voices.
Armed with just my phone and a little persistence, I tracked down educators between sessions (no small feat at this amazing, high-energy event!) to capture bite-sized, on-the-ground conversations about what Direct Instruction looks like in real schools, with real students, and real support.
These mini-episodes aren’t slick or scripted — they’re raw, real, and packed with insight. You’ll hear from teachers, principals, researchers, and NIFDI team members who are doing the work and generously sharing their experiences.
In this mini-episode, Alisa Kerr shares how data drives Direct Instruction — and how NIFDI’s ongoing support helps her make sense of it all.
How can Leaders Support Schoolwide Direct Instruction? with Bonnie Grossen and Kurt Engelmann
Jul 13, 2025
Show notes
Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Direct Instruction Podcast. I’m Dr. Zach Groshell, and today I’m joined by two outstanding leaders in the DI community: Bonnie Grossen and Kurt Engelmann.
Bonnie Grossen has supported schoolwide Direct Instruction implementations across a wide range of settings—from urban districts to rural communities, both in the U.S. and internationally. In this episode, she shares key lessons from supporting Direct Instruction at the Arthur Academy Charter Schools.
We’re also joined by Kurt Engelmann, returning from Episode 1, who brings sharp insights into the real-world execution of Direct Instruction.
Together, Bonnie and Kurt walk us through what full-immersion, schoolwide DI really looks like. We explore how the model originated, how it adapts across grade levels, how it aligns with Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), and the critical role of leadership in sustaining success. We also talk about realistic expectations and the most common mistakes schools and districts make when implementing DI.
This podcast is brought to you by NIFDI, the National Institute for Direct Instruction. NIFDI partners with schools around the world to support high-fidelity DI implementation. I’ll be bringing this podcast to their annual conference in Eugene, Oregon, summer 2025—and I hope to see you there! Visit www.nifdi.org for details.
If you find value in these conversations, help us spread the word by leaving a 5-star rating on your favorite podcast platform. And now, let’s roll the tape on my conversation with Bonnie Grossen and Kurt Engelmann.
Results of Implementation #1 and Graph of Implementation #2 that were analyzed at the start of the episode.
The Administrator Leadership Institute at the National Direct Instruction Conference:
This five-day institute is designed to help leaders develop a clear roadmap for implementing DI successfully for all students in their school or district.
Much of the content of the Administrator Leadership Institute corresponds to the second section in the handbook, which provides additional background on the goals of DI, the research evidence in support of DI, and other topics.
The short film, Why is Reading so Hard? explains the structure and method used in teaching Reading Mastery.
It is less than nine minutes long, but it is jam packed with useful info and compelling graphics. See: https://youtu.be/gBFC1keuJIg
Bonnie is the chair of the board of directors of the Arthur Academy Charter Schools, https://www.arthuracademy.org, six small elementary schools in the greater Portland, Oregon area that use DI programs for core instruction for all students.
If you love the DI podcast, please help me spread it around, and give it 5-star rating on the platform of your choosing.
This podcast is brought to you by NIFDI, or the National Institute for Direct Instruction. NIFDI supports schools all over the world to implement Direct Instruction with fidelity, and it has invited me to bring this podcast to their conference in Eugene OR in the summer of 2025. You can find more information about how NIFDI kickstarts and enhances Direct Instruction implementations by going to www.nifdi.org, and I hope you register for the conference and come see me do my thing at my sessions.
Can’t Get Enough Content?
Kris Boulton is a teacher who became inspired by Engelmann and Theory of Instruction. Listen to him talk about how he thinks about DI principles in this insightful episode of Progressively Incorrect.
How Can Direct Instruction Strengthen an MTSS Framework? with Stephanie Stollar, Diane Kinder, and Marcy Stein
Jul 01, 2025
Show notes
Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Direct Instruction Podcast. I’m Dr. Zach Groshell, and today I’m excited to share a conversation with three leading voices in education: Stephanie Stollar, Diane Kinder, and Marcy Stein.
In this episode, we dive deep into how Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) can align with Direct Instruction to create more effective, scalable systems for all learners. From implementation challenges to the critical importance of fidelity, this trio brings insight, experience, and clarity to questions that often get muddied in theory but matter immensely in practice.
If you love the DI podcast, please help me spread it around, and give it 5-star rating on the platform of your choosing.
This podcast is brought to you by NIFDI, or the National Institute for Direct Instruction. NIFDI supports schools all over the world to implement Direct Instruction with fidelity, and it has invited me to bring this podcast to their conference in Eugene OR in the summer of 2025. You can find more information about how NIFDI kickstarts and enhances Direct Instruction implementations by going to www.nifdi.org, and I hope you register for the conference and come see me do my thing at my sessions.
Videos from Project RTI
Side by Side Coaching
Partnerships
Can’t Get Enough Content?
I highly recommend listening to this VERY popular episode of Progressively Incorrect with Stephanie Stollar, and considering getting in touch with her to join her excellent Reading Science Academy.
How do Direct Instruction and Behavior Work Hand-in-Hand? with Geoff Colvin
May 14, 2025
Show notes
Hello everyone and welcome back to the Direct Instruction podcast. My name is Dr. Zach Groshell, and today I am excited to be bringing you an interview with another DI legend, Geoff Colvin. Geoff will take us through the functions of student behavior, and the intersection of a well-managed classroom and a well-designed lesson.
If you love the DI podcast, please help me spread it around, and give it 5-star rating on the platform of your choosing.
This podcast is brought to you by NIFDI, or the National Institute for Direct Instruction. NIFDI supports schools all over the world to implement Direct Instruction with fidelity, and it has invited me to bring this podcast to their conference in Eugene OR in the summer of 2025. You can find more information about how NIFDI kickstarts and enhances Direct Instruction implementations by going to www.nifdi.org, and I hope you register for the conference and come see me do my thing at my sessions.
Watch celeb mom Kat Von D use the program: Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons https://t.co/YArpFEZVOY Get hands-on training in the proven Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons method!#NIFDIConf2025
In addition, I wanted to share with you this recording of the Progressively Incorrect podcast with Laura Stam. Laura found out about Direct Instruction through this podcast, and has found success using Reading Mastery and Connecting Math Concepts in her elementary classroom.
Contact Zach Groshell for speaking and consulting here
How does Direct Instruction Support Special Education? with Randi Saulter and Ann Baum
Feb 20, 2025
Show notes
Hello everyone and welcome back to the Direct Instruction podcast. My name is Dr. Zach Groshell, and today I am excited to be bringing you an interview with Randi Saulter and Ann Baum. Randi and Ann are two passionate special education teachers who will take us through what Zig Engelmann called the “picky, picky” details of implementing DI in special education classrooms. This episode was probably my favorite of the podcast so far. It’s chock full of insights, bursting with humor and common sense, and I hope it brings you a lot of joy today.
If you love the DI podcast, please help me spread it around, and give it 5-star rating on the platform of your choosing.
This podcast is brought to you by NIFDI, or the National Institute for Direct Instruction. NIFDI supports schools all over the world to implement Direct Instruction with fidelity, and it has invited me to bring this podcast to their conference in Eugene OR in the summer of 2025. You can find more information about how NIFDI kickstarts and enhances Direct Instruction implementations by going to www.nifdi.org, and I hope you register for the conference and come see me do my thing at my sessions.
Can’t Get Enough Content?
In addition, I wanted to share with you this recording of the Progressively Incorrect podcast with special guest, Doug Carnine.
Contact Zach Groshell for speaking and consulting here
How do Fluency and Direct Instruction Improve Literacy Outcomes? with Jan Hasbrouck
Dec 01, 2024
Show notes
Hello everyone and welcome back to the Direct Instruction podcast. My name is Dr. Zach Groshell, and today I am excited to bring you an interview with Jan Hasbrouck, the keynote speaker at NIFDI’s 2025 National Direct Instruction Conference and Institutes. Dr. Hasbrouck is a renowned researcher and author with a distinguished career dedicated to improving literacy and educational outcomes. Dr. Hasbrouck’s expertise in reading fluency and her involvement with Project Follow Through and Direct Instruction have been pivotal in improving results in schools across the country. Dr. Hasbrouck is also a founding member of Read Washington, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing professional development based on the science of reading.
Speaking of the National Direct Instruction Conference this summer, I should mention that this podcast is brought to you by NIFDI, or the National Institute for Direct Instruction. NIFDI supports schools all over the world to implement Direct Instruction with fidelity, and it has invited me to bring this podcast to their conference in Eugene, OR, in the summer of 2025. You can find more information about the conference by going to www.nifdi.org, and I encourage you to register for what is the most comprehensive DI training available anywhere.
Can’t Get Enough Content?
In addition, I wanted to share with you recordings of presentations that Marcy Stein and I did in Chile to a packed auditorium of over 1,000 educators. Both talks speak to the power of Direct Instruction.
Zach Groshell’s Talk
Marcy Stein’s Talk
If you love the DI podcast, please help me spread it around, and give it 5-star rating on the platform of your choosing.
How Can Higher Education Better Prepare Future Educators? with Kathy Madigan
Nov 03, 2024
Show notes
Hello everyone and welcome back to the Direct Instruction podcast. My name is Dr. Zach Groshell, and I am excited to be bringing you an interview with Dr. Kathy Madigan all about Higher Education and Direct Instruction. Kathy has been a teacher, principal, college professor and curriculum coordinator. She co-founded the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence and served as the Executive Director for the National Council on Teacher Quality. Previously, she has worked as the Vice President for Advantage Schools where she was responsible for curriculum, behavior, staff development and principal supervision in 16 schools the US that used Direct Instruction.
This podcast is brought to you by NIFDI, or the National Institute for Direct Instruction. I think this is the perfect time to announce that I will be bringing my talents and the Direct Instruction podcast to Eugene, OR in the summer of 2025 for NIFDI’s National Direct Instruction Conference and Institutes. You can find more information about the conference by going to http://www.nifdi.org, and I encourage you to register for what is the most comprehensive DI training available anywhere.
Can’t Get Enough Content?
In addition, I wanted to share with you recordings of presentations that Marcy Stein and I did in Chile to a packed auditorium of over 1,000 educators. Both talks speak to the power of Direct Instruction.
Zach Groshell’s Talk
Marcy Stein’s Talk
If you love the DI podcast, please help me spread it around, and give it 5-star rating on the platform of your choosing.
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Watch celeb mom Kat Von D use the program: Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons 
Get hands-on training in the proven Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons method!
