Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works

Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works

Gene Tavernetti

Episodes 102
Avg. Duration 44m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 5.0 (23)
Since Jun 2024
Latest Episode Jun 2026

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Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
93%
Hosting
feeds.transistor.fm

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About This Podcast

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.

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Recent Episodes

The Issue with "We Do" in Explicit Instruction

Jun 10, 2026 33m Transcript

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…

Word Mapping with Sean Morrisey

Jun 03, 2026 57m Transcript

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…

What NOT To Do In Professional Development

May 27, 2026 22m Transcript

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…

From Reforming Legislation to Classroom Practice with Rachel Canter

May 20, 2026 58m Transcript

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…

From the Archives: Providing Support to Teachers with Zach Groshell

May 13, 2026 38m

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…

Facts on Fire with Brian Poncy

May 06, 2026 58m Transcript

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…

What Works, What Doesn't, and Other Lessons from Leadership with Dr. Bob Nelson

Apr 29, 2026 50m Transcript

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…

The Road to Reading with Elana Gordon

Apr 22, 2026 42m Transcript

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…

From The Archives: Teachers Helping Teachers Getting Better with Laura Stam

Apr 17, 2026 50m

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…

From The Archives: Digital Delusion with Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath

Apr 08, 2026 55m

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…

Science Delivered with Dr. Olivia Mullins

Apr 01, 2026 53m Transcript

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…

Great On Their Behalf with AJ Crabill

Mar 25, 2026 51m Transcript

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…

Digital Captives: Helping Schools Strike a Balance Between Humans and Hardware with Dr. Frank Rodriguez & Gene Tavernetti

Mar 18, 2026 1h 2m Transcript

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…

Building Strong Foundations in Literacy and Mathematics with Anjanette McNeely

Mar 11, 2026 37m

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…

Pulling Back the Curtain on Principalship with Joey Davis

Mar 04, 2026 34m Transcript

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…

The Critical Role of Executive Functions in Early Learning with Dr. Sarah Oberle & Mitch Weathers

Feb 25, 2026 1h 3m Transcript

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…

From the Archives: What Teachers and Students Need to Know About How We Learn with Blake Harvard

Feb 18, 2026 32m

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…

The Surprises of Returning to Teaching with Rod Naquin

Feb 11, 2026 52m Transcript

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…

Building Trust, Attention, and Engagement in the Classroom with Weston Kieschnick

Feb 04, 2026 46m Transcript

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…

The Impact of Instructional Design with Dave McAlinden

Jan 28, 2026 43m Transcript

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…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works have?

Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works has published 102 episodes since June 2024, covering topics in Education, How To.

Is Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works still active?

Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 44m.

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