Teach Smarter is a podcast for educators who are tired of initiatives that don't stick and PD that doesn't translate. Hosted by former classroom teachers Stephanie Dinnen and Peter Siner, each episode digs into the real challenges of teaching, coaching, and leading schools, from instructional practice to the tools and technology worth your time. The name says it all: work smarter without losing sight of what actually works in real classrooms.
Elena Aguilar on Coaching, Resistance, and School Culture
In this episode, Stephanie and Pete talk with Elena Aguilar about some of the harder parts of coaching and school leadership: emotions, resistance, conflict, and team dynamics. Elena explains what she means by “emotions are data,” how leaders can acknowledge emotions without turning every conversation into therapy, and what a healthy adult culture looks like in practice.
They also discuss why teams struggle to communicate and make decisions, why some conversations should not happen over email, and what AI can and cannot do in coaching.
About Our Guest
Elena Aguilar is a writer, educator, coach, and the founder and CEO of Bright Morning Consulting. She is the author of eight books, including The Art of Coaching, The Art of Coaching Teams, Onward, Coaching for Equity, The PD Book, and Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching. She also hosted The Bright Morning Podcast.
Learn more about Elena and Bright Morning (https://www.brightmorningteam.com/about)
Explore Elena’s books (https://www.brightmorningteam.com/resources/books-by-elena)
Listen to The Bright Morning Podcast (https://www.brightmorningteam.com/podcast)
4 Aug 2026
Why Explicit Instruction Works, with Zach Groshell
What does decades of research tell us about how students learn, and why do so many schools still move away from it?
Dr. Zach Groshell returns for part two of our conversation about explicit instruction and the science of learning. This time, we move beyond instructional philosophy and look at the evidence behind clear modeling, guided practice, frequent checks for understanding, and the gradual release of responsibility.
Zach explains findings from Project Follow Through, cognitive load theory, the worked example effect, teacher-effectiveness research, and Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction. We also discuss how explicit instruction differs from lecturing, when inquiry and projects make sense, and why stations and small-group structures should serve a clear instructional purpose rather than become expectations for their own sake.
The conversation also addresses some of the hardest questions schools face. How do you provide grade-level instruction when many students have significant prerequisite gaps? When should targeted intervention occur? What should leaders look for during classroom walkthroughs? And how can teachers increase participation through cold calling, choral response, turn and talk, mini whiteboards, and other opportunities to respond?
Zach Groshell, PhD, is a teacher, instructional coach, education consultant, and the author of Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching.
Learn more about Zach and his work:
Just Tell Them:
https://www.amazon.com/Just-Tell-Them-Science-Explanation/dp/103600368X (https://www.amazon.com/Just-Tell-Them-Science-Explanation/dp/103600368X)
Education Rickshaw:
https://educationrickshaw.com/ (https://educationrickshaw.com/)
The Direct Instruction Podcast:
https://zachgroshell.wordpress.com/ (https://zachgroshell.wordpress.com/)
28 Jul 2026
Hope Is Not a Strategy: What Effective School Leaders Do Differently with Dr. Brandi Chin
What separates school leaders who create lasting change from those who remain stuck in cycles of good intentions?
In this episode of Teach Smarter, Stephanie Dinnen sits down with Dr. Brandi Chin to discuss why hope cannot replace strategy, accountability, and consistent follow-through. Dr. Chin shares the three qualities she looks for in effective leaders, humility, hunger, and emotional intelligence, and explains why self-awareness may be the most important leadership trait.
They also discuss why leadership programs often leave aspiring administrators unprepared, how schools can build stronger leadership pipelines, why excuses can reveal lowered expectations for students, and what school improvement looks like when leaders receive tailored, long-term support instead of one-time professional development.
Dr. Brandi Chin is the Partner of Quality Schools at The Opportunity Trust and the author of Hope Is Not a Strategy: How Great Leaders Build Real Accountability. She has more than 16 years of experience in K-12 and higher education. She previously served as an assistant superintendent at Uncommon Schools in Camden, New Jersey, and as the founding school director of DSST Middle School at Noel Campus. Under her leadership, her schools earned some of the highest academic growth results in Denver and Colorado.
Connect with Dr. Brandi Chin:
Website: https://brandichin.com (https://brandichin.com/)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bnchin/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bnchin)
Who has been a guest on Teach Smarter: AI for Education
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dr Leslie Gruis
Dr Rachel Schechter
Dr Adam B Lockwood
Crystal Frommert
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2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 33 / 100
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Peter host the show. Published by Stephanie Dinnen and Pete Siner.
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