Jake Daggett joins Adam Peterson and Deedee Wills to discuss literacy, Tier 1 instruction, phonics, and teaching strategies to boost engagement and student success

In this powerful episode, Jake Daggett joins Adam Peterson and Deedee Wills to unpack what effective literacy instruction really looks like in today’s classrooms. From foundational skills and phonics to student engagement and classroom environment, Jake shares actionable tips and heartfelt stories from his journey in education.

Jake talks about his move from Ohio to Wisconsin, his experience on the Kelly Clarkson Show, and the importance of supporting and coaching new teachers. He sheds light on what tier one instruction should include and why direct instruction is a game-changer for student success.

🎓 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to strike the balance between engagement and motivation

• Why phoneme awareness is essential for early reading

• Smart classroom strategies for effective teaching

• Ways to support and coach new teachers

• How intentional planning and the right environment boost student success

• What Jake believes every teacher needs to hear right now

Whether you're just starting your teaching journey or mentoring others, this episode is full of insight, encouragement, and real talk about the challenges and triumphs of teaching literacy today.

Learn more about Jake:

Jake is an Ohio native who began his teaching career in Milwaukee, WI in 2015. Having specialized in literacy instruction, Jake built a following on social media for his engaging and rhythmic phonics lessons and evidence-based structured literacy lessons, even landing him on The Kelly Clarkson Show in January 2024. Throughout his career, Jake has taught PreK, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades and has recently stepped into the role of Foundational Literacy Director for a choice school in Milwaukee, WI. In his role, Jake supports a team of elementary teachers in their implementation of the science of reading. In addition, Jake co-teaches an online Science of Reading Course for Elevate Your Classroom. In his spare time, Jake presents nationally for conferences such as Plain Talk, IL ASCD, Elevate Your Classroom, and he consults with schools across the nation that are seeking to amp up their engagement and rigor in elementary literacy instruction. He is thrilled to be a guest on today's podcast!

You can find Jake on:

• https://www.engagewithjake.com/

• https://www.instagram.com/jake_daggett
• https://www.tiktok.com/@jake_daggett