Marzano Research
After 15 years in the classroom, David Yanoski, Ed.D., brought his passion for student-centered learning and teacher support to Marzano Research where he’s been a driving force since 2008. With deep expertise in competency-based education, rural schools, professional learning, and teacher retention, Yanoski combines hands-on coaching, professional learning, and technical assistance with rigorous research to help educators use data meaningfully. Whether he’s guiding teachers through the Teacher as Researcher program or shaping national frameworks, Yanoski’s commitment to elevating classroom practice is at the center of everything he does.
Q: What inspired you to pursue your career field?
A: Teaching and education are in my blood. I decided to be a teacher in ninth grade, and after 15 years of teaching middle school, the opportunity to learn and work with adults was the natural next step for me.
As a teacher, I believed strongly in the importance of finding and using data to guide my instructional decision making and individualize instruction. However, it was hard! There was limited data available, and I didn’t know the best ways to collect and use my own data. Through my work here, I have an opportunity to help teachers get better at using data.
I also had an evolving interest in the promise of competency-based education. As a teacher, I had limited influence on the system changes needed to enable this transformation. Here, I have an opportunity to develop tools and support schools and teachers in moving towards a truly individualized learning environment.
When you cut through all the levels of politics, systems, and bureaucracies, the heart of education is the teacher. Everything in the education system should support the teacher and student in the classroom. Doing this work allows me to help make teaching a little easier.
Q: Can you tell us about your current/recent work on a Marzano Research project or goal?
A: I love all the work I do here, whether it be facilitation, providing technical assistance, collecting and analyzing qualitative data, and even literature reviews! But I think the project that is the most fulfilling for me is serving as a coach for Teacher as Researcher. As a coach, I work directly with teachers to impact their practice, helping them to incorporate data collection and analysis and make instructional decisions based on the data.
Q: Can you share a recent success at Marzano Research you played a part in?
A: Although the idea of college and career ready skills is nothing new, there is a growing acceptance of the idea that school is not just about learning content, but also learning and applying the skills needed to be successful in life. The U.S. Department of Education recently asked us to conduct a literature review to support the revision of the Employability Skills Framework. We did a comprehensive search and synthesized the information so it can be used to guide the revision. I am excited that the work we did will be used by educators and organizations around the country!
Q: What do you look forward to most about the future of your field?
A: I have always been a strong believer in an education system that allows students to learn and move at their own pace. I believe that we are finally in a place where we can make this happen! Technology makes data collection and analysis feasible and usable as a tool to support instruction. Most importantly, I think we are ready to evolve the structures of the education system. I am excited to be a place and time that can help with this transition!
Q: What’s your go-to weekend activity?
A: Anything outside! I live in Colorado, so the outdoor recreation opportunities are endless. I love to camp, hike, fly-fish, explore lakes by kayak, and hunt elk in the fall. A typical weekend will find me wandering the back roads with no particular destination or activity in mind, but with all the gear needed for whatever comes up.
Q: What’s your latest hobby?
A: I just set up a small stained-glass studio in my basement. I really enjoy the focus required to create a pattern, cut the glass, figure out how the pieces fit together, and create something completely new from scratch. I also tie fly fishing flies.
Read more about David Yanoski.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
