Just Tell Them: Explicit Teaching with Zach Groshell, Mind the Gap, Ep.93 (S5,E9)

On this episode of Mind the Gap, Jon Hutchinson and Emma Turner are joined by Zach Groshell, educator, consultant, and author of Just Tell Them: Explicit Teaching and the Science of Learning. Zach shares insights from his book, which challenges traditional assumptions about instruction and advocates for a structured, interactive approach to teaching. Together, they explore the misconceptions surrounding explicit instruction, the balance between guidance and independence, and the pitfalls of ineffective professional development. Zach argues that too often, schools fail to provide teachers with concrete, actionable strategies, leaving educators to "figure it out" on their own. He emphasizes the need for clarity in teaching, saying, “The most empathetic, kind thing a teacher can do is to be crystal clear with their students.” The conversation touches on the importance of formative assessment, engagement techniques, and how primary and secondary educators can apply explicit teaching principles in age-appropriate ways.

Zach Groshell, PhD is a highly distinguished teacher, instructional coach, and education consultant. Zach is based in Seattle, Washington, USA, and works with schools nationwide and internationally to develop high quality instruction based on the science of how kids learn. Zach hosts the podcast, Progressively Incorrect, and his blog can be found at educationrickshaw.com. Follow him on X or Bluesky at @mrzachg

Emma Turner FCCT is a school improvement advisor, education consultant, trainer and author. She has almost three decades of primary teaching, headship and leadership experience across the sector, working and leading in both MATs and LAs. She works nationally and internationally on school improvement including at single school level and at scale. She has a particular interest in research informed practice in the primary phase, early career development, and CPD design. Follow Emma on X ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emma_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Jon Hutchinson is a former assistant headteacher of Reach Academy Feltham and is now a Director at the Reach Foundation. He has taught across primary and secondary and HE. In his spare time, Jon runs ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.meno.acacdemy⁠⁠⁠⁠, a platform with free videos to support primary teachers to build their subject knowledge. Follow Jon on X ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jon_hutchinson_⁠⁠⁠⁠ or Bluesky ⁠⁠⁠⁠@jonhutchinson.bksy.social⁠⁠⁠.

This podcast is produced by Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/