There are seasons in a teaching career when the questions shift from "What am I doing in my classroom tomorrow?" to "Who am I becoming as an educator, colleague, and human?" In this episode, veteran third-grade teacher, nurse-turned-educator, and new‑teacher mentor Dale Kynoch invites us into that deeper work through the lens of coaching, theorist‑informed practice, and a relentless belief that both children and adults can change.

Across this conversation with host Glenn Whitman, Dale unpacks how she moved from giving advice as a senior teacher to learning the craft of coaching, including completing a fifteen‑month, twenty‑hours‑per‑week coaching course and integrating those tools into daily life at Saint Andrew's Episcopal School. She shares why she calls herself "a Vygotskian through and through," how she uses responsive classroom structures and clear boundaries to empower third graders, and why she believes coaching can help retain early‑career teachers, support parents, and even shape her future as an alpaca‑owning hobby farmer.

"Part of being in this service industry for me is I love, love, love to see people shine. That absolutely floats my boat." - Dale Kynoch.

What You'll Learn:

• Why Dale moved from advice-giving to true coaching and what changed in his conversations with colleagues and students
• The difference between mentoring, advising, and coaching in a PK–12 school context, and why that distinction matters for teacher growth
• How Responsive Classroom structures and six intentional weeks of rule-setting create belonging, boundaries, and a "hum" in the elementary classroom
• What it means to be "a Vygotskian through and through" and how core learning theories shape classroom decisions and adult interactions
• How coaching supports new-to-Saint-Andrew's teachers in years one to five and why that window is critical for retaining great educators
• Practical ways coaching conversations unfold on walks, during hallway chats, and in informal moments, not just in scheduled sessions
• Why believing in a person's ability to grow is foundational to any meaningful coaching relationship
• Strategies Dale uses to "catch kids doing something right," call it out publicly, and help them feel the joy of better decisions
• How movement, like walking during coaching conversations, can change the brain's state and deepen reflection
• The role of coaching for teachers, students, and even parents as schools navigate complex times, high expectations, and the science of learning
• How a fifteen-month, twenty-hours-per-week coaching program reshaped Dale's thinking and clarified when to mentor versus when to coach
• Why Dale dreams of a "hobby farm" with alpaca, and how he seeks learning and coaching even in that next chapter

"To make those changes, you have to feel it on the inside. You have to create it. And so that's coaching, where the person is coming up with their own plan." - Dale Kynoch.

—

SUBSCRIBE TO THINK DIFFERENTLY & DEEPLY ON iTUNES/APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3JCpK1u

And to support our work, please leave us a 5-star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODE: https://www.thecttl.org

———————————

CONNECT WITH US!

———————————

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/CTTLatSAES

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cttl

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/TheCTTL

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thecttl

There are conversations in education that challenge not just what we do in classrooms, but how we think about learning itself. Today's conversation with educator, researcher, and The Scaffolding Effect co-author Alex Fairlamb was exactly that kind of conversation. Alex joins us at the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning after a whirlwind stretch of presentations across China, New York, Maryland, and beyond — and somehow still brought clarity, energy, and practicality to one of the most misunderstood ideas in education today: scaffolding.

In this episode, Alex insists that scaffolding is not about lowering expectations or making work easier. It is about maintaining ambitious goals for every learner while thoughtfully removing barriers that prevent students from reaching them. In a moment when schools are wrestling with AI, personalization, differentiation, and equity, Alex offers something refreshingly grounded: responsive teaching rooted in the science of learning, teacher expertise, and a deep belief that all students deserve access to rigorous curriculum and high expectations.

"Success equals motivation. So the more that I saw the success of what I was doing in the classroom with the students, the more that I was motivated to find out more and more and more." - Alex Fairlamb.

What You'll Learn:

• Why is scaffolding fundamentally different from "watering down" instruction
• What is the difference between differentiation, adaptive teaching, and responsive teaching
• How does effective scaffolding support equity and academic belonging
• Why "teaching to the top" matters for all learners
• How checks for understanding drive responsive instruction
• What teachers often misunderstand about I-We-You instructional models
• Why teacher expertise—not programs or scripts—remains central to learning
• How can AI support scaffolding without replacing student thinking
• What is the role of coaching and professional learning in improving instruction
• Why the science of learning should shape how schools think about curriculum, assessment, and support systems

"It's about being absolutely and unapologetically ambitious about what each child can do." - Alex Fairlamb.

—

SUBSCRIBE TO THINK DIFFERENTLY & DEEPLY ON iTUNES/APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3JCpK1u

And to support our work, please leave us a 5-star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODE: https://www.thecttl.org

———————————

CONNECT WITH US!

———————————

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/CTTLatSAES

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cttl

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/TheCTTL

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thecttl

Today's guest Kristin Webster taught middle and upper school Latin at St. Andrews for four years and is currently a class dean and Latin teacher at the Nightingale Bamford School in New York City. Kristin has also continued to be a translation group leader at the CTTL'S Annual Science of Teaching and School Leadership Academy, and authored an article for volume four of Think Differently and Eeeply titled Emotion and Cognition: Creating a Positive Classroom Culture.

In this episode, Kristin explains her role when teaching tricky topics and the importance she places on the transparency of her thought process with her students as she teaches. We also talk about how the topic of latin is evolving and which recent research in the science of learning has influenced her teaching style.

"Most of us aren't gonna remember a lot...I am so much happier if you leave and you know how to study, how to advocate for yourself, what are effective strategies, because you're gonna take that to every subject throughout your educational journey." - Kristin Webster

What You'll Learn:

• How to know if study strategies are sticking
• What's to love about teaching Latin
• How is teaching Latin evolving
• Which topics in Latin are difficult
• How important is mindset in learning
• What is it like to be a translation group leader
• Research that informs teaching
• What is the next frontier in the science of learning

"I want them to feel good about learning and know that they're capable of learning. They just need, might need to pivot on what strategy they're using." - Kristin Webster

—

SUBSCRIBE TO THINK DIFFERENTLY & DEEPLY ON iTUNES/APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3JCpK1u

And to support our work, please leave us a 5-star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODE: https://www.thecttl.org

———————————

CONNECT WITH US!

———————————

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/CTTLatSAES

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cttl

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/TheCTTL

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thecttl

Today host Glenn Whitman talks about practical instructional design with instructional coach Gene Tavernetti. Reading to learn has been an integral part of both of their journeys and they co-authored the article "Let's Talk More About Instructional Design (and the science of learning)."

Gene is also the author of the book "Teach Fast: Focused Adaptable Structured Teaching." In this episode, we discuss Gene's educational journey and the benefits of training in the fast framework method.

Listen in to learn what teachers can learn from coaches and how to "shift the lift."

"Being right was never enough. In fact, thinking you were right all the time was a detriment to assisting teachers to open up to try things." - Gene Tavernetti

What You'll Learn:

• What is Gene Tavernetti's educational journey
• How to transition from coach to teacher
• Ways teachers can use humor in the classroom
• How to get the attention of your audience
• Why should teachers talk more about Instructional Design
• What is the connection between the science of learning and fast framework methods
• Which book is Gene reading now
• What does training look like in the fast framework

"The power of this fast framework is if you just get better at a few of the components you're going to see a change. And the change is in the kids. And that's, that's when I know that I've been successful. - Gene Tavernetti

—

SUBSCRIBE TO THINK DIFFERENTLY & DEEPLY ON iTUNES/APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3JCpK1u

And to support our work, please leave us a 5-star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODE: https://www.thecttl.org

———————————

CONNECT WITH US!

———————————

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/CTTLatSAES

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cttl

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/TheCTTL

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thecttl

It is rare to have St. Andrews students on the podcast, so one of today's guests is a special addition. Daphne is a St. Andrews language teacher and a returning guest on the podcast. In this episode, Daphne brings one of her students along to rethink the concept of homework.

We talk about the ways that teachers can promote collective efficacy through homework assignments and what makes a good or bad homework assignment. We also discuss ways that teachers can reduce barriers to learning and encourage motivation to do school assignments.

Listen to this episode to learn how teachers can learn more from their students and improve the connection between homework assignments and classroom learning.

"Presenting at conferences is a great way to pause and ask myself, what do I believe and how can I communicate that with others." - Daphne Clyburn

What You'll Learn:

• How do St. Andrews students study
• Why should teachers be learning more from their students
• How can teachers reconsider the goal of homework
• Why do teachers assign homework
• How to make homework a continuation of class
• What is the difference between good and bad homework
• How has the concept of homework changed
• Is AI affecting homework in the ways predicted

"In everything we do as teachers, we need to be incorporating student voice into making our teaching practice stronger. If we're not getting a perspective, then we're missing the mark." - Daphne Clyburn

—

SUBSCRIBE TO THINK DIFFERENTLY & DEEPLY ON iTUNES/APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3JCpK1u

And to support our work, please leave us a 5-star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODE: https://www.thecttl.org

———————————

CONNECT WITH US!

———————————

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/CTTLatSAES

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cttl

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/TheCTTL

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thecttl

Sean Hurney has been the athletic trainer at St. Andrews for over 24 years. In this episode, we discuss his article, "Taking Care of the Whole Student Athlete," and Sean shares what he has learned during his career and how his outlook has changed over time.

We also discuss factors that can impact student-athletes off the playing field and how AI has affected athletic trainers.

"The injury data is showing that these sports specializations are causing injuries. Orthopedics, the amount of office visits, time lost is, are going up at an astronomical rate." - Sean Hurney

What You'll Learn:

• Should athletes play through pain
• Why are relationships with student athletes important
• How to approach questions for a student athlete
• Should student athletes play multiple sports
• What is the relationship between stress and student athletic performance
• How has athletic training changed
• Has AI impacted student athletic trainers
• What are the pros of being an athletic trainer
• How to stay healthy as an athlete

"You can pretty much pinpoint when the kids hit their breaking point." - Sean Hurney

—

SUBSCRIBE TO THINK DIFFERENTLY & DEEPLY ON iTUNES/APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3JCpK1u

And to support our work, please leave us a 5-star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODE: https://www.thecttl.org

———————————

CONNECT WITH US!

———————————

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/CTTLatSAES

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cttl

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/TheCTTL

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thecttl

Right now, everything is about AI, so today, we hear from Ryan Marklewitz. Ryan teaches middle school science and sports. In this interview, we discuss Ryan's article, "Teacher Aide, Not Teacher Replacement: Artificial Intelligence Tools' Impact on Teaching and Learning." Ryan shares how AI can support student learning and where the technology still needs work.

Listen to this episode to learn about the educational benefits of AI and how to know when your students are ready to engage with it.

SUBSCRIBE TO THINK DIFFERENTLY & DEEPLY ON iTUNES/APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3JCpK1u

And to support our work, please leave us a 5-star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODE: https://www.thecttl.org

———————————

CONNECT WITH US!

———————————

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/CTTLatSAES

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cttl

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/TheCTTL

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thecttl

Daphne Clyburn is a Spanish teacher and the head of the CTTL's language department. She is also a pivotal member of the Science of Teaching and School Leadership Academy translation group team. In this episode, we discuss Daphne's article, Empathy Interviews: Making Space for Student Voices. We also discuss the importance of incorporating choice and play into the classroom.

SUBSCRIBE TO THINK DIFFERENTLY & DEEPLY ON iTUNES/APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3JCpK1u

And to support our work, please leave us a 5-star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODE: https://www.thecttl.org

———————————

CONNECT WITH US!

———————————

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/CTTLatSAES

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cttl

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/TheCTTL

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thecttl

This episode is part two of our interview with Tia Henteleff, the CTTL'S Lower School research lead and one of the Lower School science and design thinking teachers. Tia admits that she did not love learning until college. She opens up what her position entails and offers tips for beginning educators. We talk about teachers collaborating with researchers, how she views her students as co-creators of the classroom culture, and how important early education years are.

Listen to this episode to learn what the response has been like to her book and what she does differently in the classroom now that has been informed by research.

SUBSCRIBE TO THINK DIFFERENTLY & DEEPLY ON iTUNES/APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3JCpK1u

And to support our work, please leave us a 5-star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODE: https://www.thecttl.org

———————————

CONNECT WITH US!

———————————

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/CTTLatSAES

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cttl

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/TheCTTL

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thecttl

Conversations are a pedagogical strategy and gateway to other cognitive demands on young learners. Today, host Glenn speaks about the art and science of classroom conversations with Tia Henteleff, the CTTL's Lower School research lead and one of the Lower School science and design thinking teachers. Listen to this episode for takeaways from her article, The Necessary Art and Science of Classroom Conversations in Early Childhood. Learn about the power of scaffolding, self-regulation, and executive function skills -- and how these skills are connected to conversation.

SUBSCRIBE TO THINK DIFFERENTLY & DEEPLY ON iTUNES/APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3JCpK1u

And to support our work, please leave us a 5-star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODE: https://www.thecttl.org

———————————

CONNECT WITH US!

———————————

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/CTTLatSAES

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cttl

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/TheCTTL

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thecttl