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First Two Episodes of Sold Story Season 2 Drop October 15

First Two Episodes of Sold Story Season 2 Drop October 15

Sold a story podcast bannerAmerican Public Media announced that the first two episodes of the second season of their popular Sold a Story investigative podcast will be released tomorrow, October 15.

The first season focused on why so many students have failed to learn to read. The second season expands into examining what has gone wrong in teaching. The trailer reveals that the first 2 episodes will focus on Siegfried “Zig” Engelmann, founder of NIFDI and Senior Developer of Direct Instruction.

In a LinkedIn post, NIFDI President Kurt Engelmann says, “Emily and her team did an incredibly thorough job of researching Direct Instruction (DI), conducting interviews of me and many others in the DI world, visiting schools with me and others to see DI in action, and asking TONS of questions. I am excited to see what will make it into the episodes of the second season. Having seen the thoroughness of her work from the inside, I expect it will all be highly informative and very well done – not to be missed!”

Tell your friends and colleagues to check out the series tomorrow. Here is the link: https://features.apmreports.org/sold-a-story/

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Interested in learning how to implement Direct Instruction in your district, school, or home? NIFDI can help. Click a button below to learn more. 

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What is a Peer Coach?

Peer coaches play a critical role in sustaining strong implementation of Direct Instruction (DI) at the school level. Selected during the first year of implementation, peer coaches are classroom teachers who demonstrate strong instructional practice, effective communication with colleagues, and a willingness to support others. Because they teach the same programs as their peers, they bring practical expertise and shared experience that help build trust and collaboration across the school.

As implementation progresses, peer coaches extend the impact of NIFDI consultants by providing ongoing, school-based support when consultants are not on-site. Their coaching is non-evaluative and focused on improving student outcomes. Peer coaches reinforce effective teaching practices and guide colleagues to make targeted adjustments that directly impact student performance and behavior.

Peer coaches participate in a structured, multi-year training sequence through NIFDI. Over the course of two to three years, they are trained to analyze student performance data, conduct both brief and extended classroom observations, and support data-driven problem solving. Advanced training prepares them to lead grade-level meetings and contribute to broader instructional planning with school leadership.

By developing peer coaches, schools build internal capacity to maintain and strengthen DI implementation over time—ensuring continuity, supporting new staff, and driving sustained student achievement.