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Resources

Resources

Explore NIFDI’s resources, which include a collection of news articles spanning from the 1980s to the present, a podcast dedicated to Direct Instruction, blogs authored by Dr. Kerry Hempenstall, and an extensive library of downloadable resources.

NIFDI Membership

Enroll for discounts on the DI Conference and NIFDI publications.
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Join the DI Discussion List

Join the DI list to converse directly with other DI users.
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Get NIFDI News!

Sign up to receive our monthly newsletter and be the first to find out about the latest DI news and upcoming events
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Latest DI News

Read the latest news pertaining to DI.
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The Direct Instruction Podcast

Hosted by educator and parent Dr. Zach Groshell, the series features interviews with trainers, authors, researchers, and others who give their insights on various aspects of DI.
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News Archive

View past issues of NIFDI News, as well as older publications DI News/Effective School Practices and the Journal of Direct Instruction (JODI).
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Blogs

Blogs written by Dr. Kerry Hempenstall and Dr. Martin Kozloff.
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Downloadable Resources

All of our free resources, such as program downloads, data forms, book excerpts, and more!
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Which best describes your role?

Curriculum Decision Maker
School and District Leader

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

Leaders
Coaches
Teachers
Parents
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.