Progressively Incorrect S5E06: Jessica Colleu Terradas & Jon Owen on Direct Instruction Without Borders
Oct 19, 2025
Jessica Colleu Terradas, an Australian education leader, and Jon Owen, a UK teacher and Direct Instruction advocate, dive into the transformative power of Direct Instruction. Jessica shares her insights on overcoming resistance to structured programs like DI and the significant gains seen in literacy outcomes. Jon highlights the importance of well-designed curricula and effective delivery in UK schools, emphasizing the profound impact on struggling students. Together, they discuss placement testing and the critical role of teacher involvement in scripted DI approaches.
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From Paris To Remote Classrooms
- Jessica moved from France to Australia and worked in remote Indigenous communities before becoming a DI literacy coach.
- She ran interventions for at-risk adolescents and now oversees DI across 56 schools while studying a PhD on spelling.
Rigidity Is A Misunderstood Benefit
- Resistance to DI often stems from misconceptions about rigidity and loss of teacher creativity.
- High-fidelity scripted materials free prep time and improve delivery, letting teachers respond better to students.
Start With Accurate Placement
- Do placement tests first and group students by precise skill level before starting Spelling Mastery.
- Then provide upfront training, ongoing in-class coaching, and monitor mastery with built-in progress checks.
