Best Ngss Podcasts (2025)

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S5E04: Marcie Samayoa on NGSS and Explicit Science Instruction 44:21

Play Pause

15d ago44:21

44:21

In this episode, I’m joined by Marcie Samayoa—science teacher, cognitive science enthusiast, and blogger of Scientists in the Making. Marcie shares the origin story behind her innovative classroom blog and explains how it grew out of a desire to make science learning more equitable, evidence-based, and joyful. We dive into some of the most persiste…

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200. Ask Me Anything! Going Over Work, NGSS, Labs, and MORE! 42:16

28d ago42:16

42:16

Can you believe it?! We’ve officially hit the 200th episode of Secondary Science Simplified AND crossed over 200,000 listens — what a milestone! I’m so grateful for every teacher who tunes in and makes this community so special. To celebrate, I’m bringing back one of my favorite formats: an “Ask Me Anything” episode where I answer your top question…

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S5E05: Anna Stokke on Where Math Education Went Wrong—and How to Fix It 54:30

3d ago54:30

54:30

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m joined by Anna Stokke—mathematician, professor, and host of the Chalk & Talk podcast. Anna has become one of the most influential voices calling for a return to clarity, structure, and evidence in math instruction. We explore how her conversations on chalk & talk have shaped—and sometimes challenged—h…

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Jim West 2:01

7d ago2:01

2:01

By Ainissa Ramirez

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203. Who Makes up the Deficit? How to Respond When Students Are Behind 35:17

4d ago35:17

35:17

One of the toughest realities for teachers is realizing that your students are already behind before the year even begins. That’s exactly what we’re tackling in this episode. Last week, we talked about how to handle things when students fail a test at the end of a unit, but this week, I’m flipping the script (thanks to another great listener questi…

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202. What to Do When Your Students Fail the Test 22:56

14d ago22:56

22:56

Raise your hand if you've been called “the mean teacher” for holding firm on test policies! In this episode, we dive into what to do when students fail a test, from deciding on retakes or corrections to analyzing trends in student performance and reteaching where needed. You’ll hear practical tips for breaking down assessments by concept, setting u…

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201. AI Literacy for Science Teachers With Guest Amanda Bickerstaff of AI for Education 40:09

21d ago40:09

40:09

AI is everywhere right now, and if you’ve been feeling both curious and overwhelmed, you’re not alone! In this episode, I’m joined by Amanda Bickerstaff, a former high school biology teacher and co-founder of AI for Education, for a conversation about AI in the classroom. We explore why AI literacy is becoming a core skill for both teachers and stu…

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S5E03: John Mighton on Building Math Confidence, One Problem at a Time 44:02

23d ago44:02

44:02

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. John Mighton — mathematician, playwright, best-selling author, and founder of JUMP Math. John shares his insights into one of the most misunderstood concepts in education today—the belief that only some students are “math people”—and explains why dismantling this idea is essential for equity and achievement. As we…

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S5E02: Linda Diamond & Paige Pullen on Connecting Learning, Literacy, and Instruction 39:29

28d ago39:29

39:29

In this powerful episode, I’m joined by two of the most influential voices in literacy education today—Linda Diamond and Paige Pullen. With decades of experience in education, Linda and Paige bring clarity to the evidence-based education movement and the science of reading in particular. Together, we dive into their framework of three interrelated …

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199. How to Not Take Work Home (In Your Head, or in Reality) This School Year 17:58

1M ago17:58

17:58

Work-life balance…it’s the unicorn we’re all chasing, isn’t it? In this episode, I’m sharing the practical strategies and mindset shifts that have helped me finally keep work at work. From being ruthless about what you grade, setting up overflow days, and maximizing your planning period, to outsourcing tasks and shifting classroom culture, you’ll w…

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S5E01: Greg Ashman on Explicit Teaching and Inquiry Learning 55:29

1M ago55:29

55:29

Welcome to Season 5 of Progressively Incorrect! In this special premiere episode, I’m joined by Greg Ashman, a leading advocate for explicit instruction and one of the most important voices in education today. We begin by analyzing a new video from Jo Boaler, where she casts “step-by-step instruction” as the villain in favor of an … Continue readin…

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198. The Most Important Thing You Need to Hear This School Year 21:35

1M ago21:35

21:35

It’s September, which means it’s time for your annual pep talk, teacher friend! In this episode, I’m sharing the one message every secondary science teacher needs to hear as the school year kicks off. We’ll talk about the unique challenges you face, why boundaries and clarity matter, and how to model humanity and humility in your classroom. Plus, I…

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197. Motivating the Unmotivated - 4 Practical Tips to Help Students Care 18:44

2M ago18:44

18:44

August is wild because some of you are squeezing out those last drops of summer, while others are already knee-deep in grading. Wherever you are on that back-to-school spectrum, one thing is for sure: at some point this year, you’ll be staring down an unmotivated student (or ten!). In this episode, I’m sharing four practical tips to boost engagemen…

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Building a Classroom Community Series Part 3: The Science Classroom 27:56

2M ago27:56

27:56

In this episode, Erin continues her conversation with middle school science teacher Char Ritchie. Char explains how she builds on the community building practices discussed in the last episode to build a science routines that contribute to a safe classroom community. More Resources: Episode 121: Respect Agreements Check out Char’s resources on Teac…

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196. Grading Game Changers: 6 Ways to Grade Differently This School Year 19:02

2M ago19:02

19:02

Grading doesn’t have to take over your nights and weekends! In this episode, I’m sharing six practical grading game changers that helped me simplify my workload without lowering my standards. You’ll learn how to define your grading philosophy, reduce what you collect, give meaningful feedback faster, and keep students engaged, even when you're not …

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195. A Simple and Effective Process for Parent Communication With Guest Mandy Farrar 48:50

2M ago48:50

48:50

Confession time: I’ve been gatekeeping this conversation with Mandy Farrar because it’s that perfect for the start of the school year. Mandy, a high school chemistry and physics teacher, shares her simple yet highly effective system for parent communication, built from her own early struggles and refined into a clear, repeatable process. From start…

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Building a Classroom Community Series Part 2: Respect Agreements and Community Circles 34:46

2M ago34:46

34:46

In the second episode of our 3-part series on building classroom community and expectations, Erin shares conversations with two special guests — Bailey and her 8th grade science teacher, Char Ritchie. They reflect on their experiences with Respect Agreements (also called Community Agreements) and Community Circles — what worked, what was challengin…

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S4E39: Shawn Datchuk on Teaching Sentence Construction with Precision 43:12

2M ago43:12

43:12

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m joined by Dr. Shawn Datchuk, a leading researcher who’s helped shape how we think about sentence construction for struggling learners. Drawing from the literature on Precision Teaching and Direct Instruction, Shawn shares how timed practice and explicit strategies can accelerate mastery in writing, es…

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S4E38: Nathan Lang-Raad on Learning Science and Artificial Intelligence 28:52

2M ago28:52

28:52

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m joined by Nathan Lang-Raad for a wide-ranging conversation that threads together two hot-button topics: artificial intelligence and the science of learning. There’s excitement everywhere—some even say AI will revolutionize teaching and learning. But are we getting ahead of ourselves? Nathan and I expl…

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194. The Importance of Inquiry-Based Learning - And How to Implement It Practically 31:58

2M ago31:58

31:58

Back-to-school season is the perfect time to breathe new energy into your classroom, and one of the most powerful ways to do that is through inquiry-based learning. In this episode, I’m sharing why inquiry matters, why students often push back against it, and how you can scaffold it to feel less intimidating for everyone. I’ll break down what inqui…

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Building Classroom Community Series Part 1: Interview with Erin's Daughter 33:13

2M ago33:13

33:13

In this first episode of our 3-part series on building classroom community and expectations, Erin interviews a special guest — her daughter! Together, they reflect on the things that helped her feel seen, supported, and respected throughout middle school. From small gestures to classroom routines, this conversation offers a unique student perspecti…

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S4E37: John Tanner on Tests, College, and Cheating Scandals 47:41

2M ago47:41

47:41

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I sat down with a personal friend whose work I deeply respect: John Tanner. His leadership in education has weathered storms—most notably, false accusations of cheating after huge gains in achievement were obtained at his school. But what shines through is his steadfast belief in the life-changing power o…

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"Start Small" Series: Deepen Learning By Reducing Tasks 14:37

3M ago14:37

14:37

In the third episode of this "Start Small" series, Nicole shares some ways we can deepen learning by replacing *quantity* with *quality* in our science classrooms. More isn't always better, and while it can sometimes feel counterintuitive, cutting back on the amount of work we assign can open the gateway for richer discussions, natural differentiat…

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193. First Year Teacher Reflections With Cienna Domke 42:00

3M ago42:00

42:00

What if you could hit pause after your first year of teaching and really process what just happened? That’s exactly what we’re doing in this episode with Cienna Domke. Cienna just wrapped up her first year teaching high school biology and chemistry in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and y’all—she brought the honesty, humility, and wisdom that only come…

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S4E36: Bonnie Grossen and Kurt Engelmann on Full Immersion Direct Instruction 56:53

3M ago56:53

56:53

In this episode of The Direct Instruction Podcast – cross-posted on Progressively Incorrect – I’m joined by Bonnie Grossen and Kurt Engelmann, two long-time advocates and practitioners whose work has shaped the real-world application of schoolwide Direct Instruction. After engaging conversations with both of them—on everything from implementation a…

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"Start Small" Series: Quick Strategies To Get Your Students Thinking 16:18

3M ago16:18

16:18

In the second episode of this "Start Small" series, Nicole shares a few strategies to create a better THINKING science classroom -- you know, the kind where students actually NOTICE that the bird isn't giving its energy to the worm or that it just doesn't make sense for a pencil to measure 8 meters! More Resources: Why You Need Vertical Whiteboards…

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192. Teaching Biology, Managing 6 Preps, and EOC Review with Macee Huseman 37:29

3M ago37:29

37:29

What would you do if you were the entire science department at your school? That’s the reality for my guest, Macee Huseman, a powerhouse high school science teacher from Texas who juggles six preps, engaging labs, and family life with incredible grace. In this episode, Macee shares her best tips for staying organized, keeping students engaged, and …

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"Start Small" Series: Building Simple Routines With 3D Practices 29:54

3M ago29:54

29:54

In the first episode of this "Start Small" series, Nicole shares three ideas to consider implementing this fall that will engage your students in three-dimensional learning in a way that builds skill through consistency and practice -- all without eating up huge chunks of class time OR creating a sense of overwhelm for you or your students. 1) Noti…

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191. Engaging Students, Serving ELLs, and Teaching Earth Science With Becca of Science Lessons That Rock 32:49

3M ago32:49

32:49

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to make earth science engaging and hands-on, this episode is for you! I’m joined by Becca from Science Lessons That Rock, a veteran teacher with over 15 years of experience and a passion for turning abstract concepts into meaningful, accessible learning experiences. Becca shares creative ways to teach everythi…

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190. Student Mastery, Switching Schools, and Teaching Chemistry with Heather Bonanno 43:22

3M ago43:22

43:22

Have you ever met a teacher who just gets it—who knows how to challenge students, meet them where they are, and do it all with purpose and empathy? That’s exactly who you’ll hear from in this episode. I chat with Heather Bonanno, a high school chemistry teacher from Pennsylvania who recently returned to the classroom after a five-year break. Heathe…

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Erin's ADHD Diagnosis 49:49

3M ago49:49

49:49

Erin discusses her recent ADHD diagnosis. She recorded this episode in hopes that it may potentially help other people who suspect they have ADHD or who want to know more about what its like having ADHD. In this episode: Deciding to be assessed - 4:25 Being a kid with ADHD - 9:45 Struggles as an adult and in the classroom 22:00 Deciding on medicati…

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S4E35: Stephanie Stollar, Diane Kinder, and Marcy Stein on MTSS and Direct Instruction 52:02

3M ago52:02

52:02

In this episode of The Direct Instruction Podcast - cross-posted on Progressively Incorrect - I’m joined by Stephanie Stollar, Diane Kinder, and Marcy Stein—three educators and researchers whose work intersects at the heart of effective instruction and systems-level change. After engaging conversations with each of them around Multi-Tiered Systems …

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189. True Life: I Grade Everything and Because of It, I Have No Life 18:00

4M ago18:00

18:00

If grading has taken over your life, this final episode in the True Life Teacher Confession series is here to help. I’m unpacking the hidden costs of grading everything, challenging the belief that every assignment needs a grade, and sharing mindset shifts and practical strategies to help you reclaim your time. From setting clear grading boundaries…

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5 Things We Want Teachers to Know About ADHD 42:41

4M ago42:41

42:41

Both Nicole and Erin are parents of children with ADHD. Erin was recently diagnosed as having ADHD herself. In this episode, they share the things they've learned in the last year that they wish they would have known. More Resources: 122 Rethinking That Class: What to Do When Classes Feel like a Challenge 111 Rethinking Your Classroom Management Pl…

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Where have we been for the last two years?!? 29:19

4M ago29:19

29:19

It's been two and a half years since we recorded our last episode. So, where have we been!?! In this episode we talk about: What we've been up to Big changes and life updates What this season will entail. Support the show Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience Website: Sadler Science // iExploreSci…

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188. True Life: I Teach a Course With a High-Stakes Test and Don’t Care About It 15:32

4M ago15:32

15:32

“Help! I teach a course with a high-stakes test that I do not care about at all, but I need to care about it. How can I make myself care?” If you've ever felt this way, this episode is for you. In this True Life: Teacher Confessions episode, I'm sharing what to do when you're stuck teaching a test-heavy course but feel totally unmotivated by the ex…

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S4E34: Jonah Davids on the Debates Over Restorative Justice and SEL 34:47

4M ago34:47

34:47

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m joined by Jonah Davids. Jonah and I met while participating in a panel discussion around declining behavior in schools (listen here), which led me to invite him to discuss the evidence base behind Restorative Justice and Social-Emotional approaches in education. Are we on track or has there been … Con…

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187. True Life: I’m Drowning 19:36

4M ago19:36

19:36

Are you juggling multiple preps across several grade levels, trying to run labs every week, and still show up for your family? Feeling overwhelmed by unrealistic admin expectations and a lack of student accountability? If it all feels like too much, that’s because it is too much. In this "true life" episode, I’m talking about what it really means t…

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186. True Life: I Am a Science Teacher Who Hates Labs 22:32

4M ago22:32

22:32

Do you find yourself absolutely dreading lab days? If so, you’re in good company. I’m kicking off a new series of Teacher True Life Confessions, and today’s episode is inspired by several of you who were brave enough to admit that you HATE lab days. I’m sharing why labs feel so overwhelming and practical ways to make them less chaotic and more effe…

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S4E33: Peps Mccrea on Great Teaching and Human Flourishing 46:57

4M ago46:57

46:57

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I am delighted to host Peps Mccrea, the Director of Education at Steplab and the mind behind the must-read online newsletter, Evidence Snacks. Peps has dedicated his career to improving education through evidence-based practices. His latest project includes Great Teaching, Unpacked, a Netflix-style docume…

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185. When Is Preparation Worth It, and When Is It a Pipe Dream? 30:32

4M ago30:32

30:32

Feeling torn between getting ahead on lesson plans and fully embracing summer break? That’s exactly what we’re diving into in this episode. Inspired by a thoughtful listener question, I’m sharing a realistic and flexible approach to summer planning for teachers that helps you make progress and prioritize rest. You’ll hear tips for setting intention…

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184. End the Year Organized: Your Methods for Management 16:46

5M ago16:46

16:46

In this final episode of the “End Your Year Organized” series, we’re wrapping up by reflecting on the classroom management methods you used this year. I’m walking you through six simple but powerful reflection questions to help you evaluate what worked, what didn’t, and how to set yourself up for a smoother classroom experience next year. We’ll loo…

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What Was the World Like Before Quality Curriculum Reviews? with Jessica Deas, EdReports Manager of Review & Partner Success 17:24

5M ago17:24

17:24

What happens when teachers don't have trustworthy info about the quality of their materials? That's what it was like 15 years ago before EdReports. Since the launch of our initial reviews, we've evolved a lot. With our new 2.0 review criteria, we now look for even more indicators of quality, including supports for multilingual learners. In our late…

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183. End the Year Organized: Your Classroom 23:28

5M ago23:28

23:28

Feeling buried in classroom clutter? Let’s fix that, before summer break hits! Last week, we talked all about organizing your digital and paper teaching resources so you’re not digging through chaos next school year. This week, we’re shifting the focus to classroom organization at the end of the school year—because let’s be real, your physical spac…

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S4E32: Rachel Ball on Scaffolded Instruction and Adaptive Teaching 50:08

5M ago50:08

50:08

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I am delighted to host Rachel Ball, Coaching Development Lead at Steplab and a passionate advocate for effective teaching based on the science of learning. Rachel will explore her new book, The Scaffolding Effect, and the Explicit Instruction Conference we are both keynoting in New Mexico (sign up here!).…

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182. End the Year Organized: Your Resources 25:27

5M ago25:27

25:27

Feeling overwhelmed by a mountain of digital files, paper stacks, and half-used lab materials? In this kickoff episode of the “End the Year Organized” series, I’m sharing practical strategies to help you wrap up the school year with intention and clarity. From organizing your digital and paper resources to maintaining your systems and auditing what…

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181. What to Do When Your Job Feels Stale (And Maybe Even Boring) 28:35

5M ago28:35

28:35

Teaching can feel like driving on autopilot - same route, same scenery, same old routine. So what happens when that journey starts to feel monotonous and uninspiring? In today’s conversation, I dive deep into a feeling that every teacher experiences at some point: boredom. Whether you're an AP Biology teacher counting down to exam day or a Earth Sc…

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180. Unpacking the NGSS With Christina Agurcia of Make Them Think 31:10

6M ago31:10

31:10

Over the past few episodes, we’ve been diving into all things NGSS, and it’s time to wrap up the series with someone who’s not only in the classroom but has been using the NGSS for the last decade! The Next Generation Science Standards are all about helping our students think and act like real scientists, and in this episode, I’m joined by Christin…

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S4E31: Laura Stam on Integrating Explicit Teaching Practices into Elementary Classrooms 34:27

6M ago34:27

34:27

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m delighted to host Laura Stam, a dedicated advocate for the Science of Reading and Direct Instruction. Laura will share her expertise on designing and curating resources to integrate content and vocabulary into literacy, discuss new shifts in her thinking and teaching, and offer insights into how struc…

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179. Unpacking the NGSS: Phenomena and Storylines 26:44

6M ago26:44

26:44

Ever feel like your students are just going through the motions - memorizing facts without really connecting to what they're learning? I think we can all agree that we want our students to be able to apply their learning to real world context! That’s why I’m diving into two of my absolute favorite NGSS concepts in this episode: phenomena and storyl…