Teach Smarter Podcast · Guest
Marcie Samayoa
High school chemistry teacher and education writer · Author of the Substack Scientists in the Making
About Marcie
Marcie Samayoa is a high school chemistry teacher, education writer, and author of the Substack Scientists in the Making. Her work focuses on applying cognitive science, explicit instruction, retrieval practice, and evidence-based teaching methods to science education.
Teaching in a Title I school in Los Angeles, Marcie is known for challenging conventional approaches to science instruction and advocating for strong foundations in knowledge, literacy, and mathematics before students are asked to engage in higher-order thinking and inquiry. Through her writing and professional learning work, she helps educators bridge research and classroom practice.
About This Episode
The Science of Teaching Science with Marcie Samayoa
We sit down with high school chemistry teacher and education writer Marcie Samayoa to explore one of the most overlooked conversations in education today: how we teach science. Marcie challenges the idea that students should be expected to discover complex concepts on their own before they have the foundational knowledge needed to succeed.
Drawing on her experience teaching in a Title I school, Marcie shares how she uses explicit instruction, retrieval practice, literacy strategies, and carefully structured routines to help students build confidence and master challenging content.
We also discuss the role of inquiry-based learning, student behavior, classroom technology, and what science educators can learn from elementary teachers.