In this special follow-up to the popular episode with Dr. Kent Johnson and Andrew Kieta on the Morningside Model that Guarantees Two Years of Growth in One, host Brendan Lee draws out the practical learning science expertise of university lecturer Dr Russ Fox and MTSS leader Karina Stocker. This conversation bridges the macro principles of the Morningside model directly with the reality of the classroom through the lens of the Instructional Hierarchy.
Listeners will hear Karina and Russ break down how to spot the hidden “tool skills” that frequently block student progress in reading and mathematics. They challenge common misconceptions about explicit instruction, detailing why the “We Do” phase must be a dynamic, data-driven interaction to build accurate acquisition. Plus, they share how to transition students into fluency building by measuring the rate of correct responses rather than simple percentages.
If you’re keen to delve deeper into the key mechanisms behind the Morningside Model of Generative Instruction and more, then this conversation is essential listening.
Resources mentioned:
- MorningsideAcademy.org
- Ryan O’Donnell’s documentary about Morningside Academy: The Morningside Model of Generative Instruction
- Thomas Gilbert’s Mathetics
- S01E01 – Dr. Russ Fox on building relationships, routines and using reinforcers
- Trina Spencer: Learning How Learning Works Helps Teachers Teach
- Mastery Schools Australia
- Brendan Lee: “Engineering the Aha! When Discovery Learning Actually Works”
- Stocker, K. L., Fox, R. A., Swain, N. R., & Leif, E. S. (2024). Between the lines: Integrating the science of reading and the science of behavior to improve reading outcomes for Australian children. Behavior and Social Issues, 33(1), 504-531.
You can connect with Karina:
You can connect with Russ:
You can connect with Brendan:
Twitter/X: @learnwithmrlee
Facebook: @learningwithmrlee
Linkedin: @brendan-lee-kft
Website: learnwithlee.net
Support the Knowledge for Teachers Podcast:
https://www.patreon.com/KnowledgeforTeachersPodcast
About Karina
Karina Stocker is an experienced school leader, researcher, and education consultant specialising in the implementation of Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) frameworks across literacy, mathematics, and behaviour.
Her work focuses on strengthening data-based decision-making, evidence-based instruction, and tiered intervention to support diverse learners. Karina holds a Master’s degree in Behaviour Science from Monash University and is currently completing her PhD, which examines the implementation of evidence-based practices and MTSS frameworks in Australian schools.
Karina also works at Monash University, where she leads research–practice initiatives focused on evidence-based academic intervention and assessment practices, and MTSS implementation.
About Russ
Dr Russ Fox is a Lecturer in behaviour science in the Faculty of Education at Monash University. He is a trained primary school teacher with experience teaching and working in mainstream and alternative education settings. He has worked extensively with students of all ages at risk of school disengagement or requiring learning and behavioural intervention. Russ has provided in-school behaviour support coaching, consultation, and PBIS implementation support to teachers and leaders across multiple Australian systems and states. His research interests include evidence-based instructional practices, multi-tiered systems of support, responsive teacher training, implementation science, and sustainability of evidence-based practice implementation in educational settings.
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