Teaching, Reading, and Learning: The Reading League Podcast Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/teaching-reading-and-learning-the-reading-league-podcast Teaching, Reading & Learning: The Podcast elevates important contributions to the educational community, with the goal of inspiring teachers, informing practice, and celebrating people in the community who have influenced teaching and literacy to the betterment of children. The podcast features guests whose life stories are compelling and rich in ways that are instructive to us all. The podcast focuses on literacy as we know it (reading and writing) but will also connect to other “literacies” that impact children’s learning; for example, emotional, physical, and social literacies as they apply to teachers and children. 2021 The Reading League 028de6d8-2858-5596-bfc5-1cdbaf70c638 no en Thu, 28 Mar 2024 19:30:13 -0400 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:44:06 -0500 https://www.thereadingleague.org/ https://img.transistor.fm/sOO44NJ6_lc7rkdVIDeFA3CRfh5Pw72Zj589UB0eLno/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzE0NDcyLzE2MDA5/OTcyOTMtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.jpg Teaching, Reading, and Learning: The Reading League Podcast https://www.thereadingleague.org/ episodic The Reading League Teaching, Reading & Learning: The Podcast elevates important contributions to the educational community, with the goal of inspiring teachers, informing practice, and celebrating people in the community who have influenced teaching and literacy to the betterment of children. The podcast features guests whose life stories are compelling and rich in ways that are instructive to us all. The podcast focuses on literacy as we know it (reading and writing) but will also connect to other “literacies” that impact children’s learning; for example, emotional, physical, and social literacies as they apply to teachers and children. Teaching, Reading & Learning: The Podcast elevates important contributions to the educational community, with the goal of inspiring teachers, informing practice, and celebrating people in the community who have influenced teaching and literacy to the betterment of children. Literacy, Reading, Education, Teaching, Teachers, Policy, Science of Reading Toni Ann Walsh No No Interview w/ Rupen Fofaria 22 22 Interview w/ Rupen Fofaria full d51c90cf-c984-4e2e-ae7c-92d01538f0ae https://share.transistor.fm/s/7ab2be8f Rupen Fofaria is a storyteller at EDNC.org, where he examines how education policy shows up in classrooms and impacts teachers, students, and families. Rupen has invested much of his time since 2019 reporting stories about literacy instruction in North Carolina.  His stories about the body of research on how kids learn to read take readers inside classrooms, advance student and family narratives, explore challenges for early reading teachers, and study best practices in colleges of education. Prior to joining EdNC, Rupen was an attorney in Raleigh and Chicago, practicing start-up and intellectual property law.  In his (much) younger days, he was a sports writer for ESPN.com, the Raleigh News and Observer, and the Orlando Sentinel. Rupen’s passion is shining light on untold and underreported issues.


Further Resources and Rupen’s Picks:

]]> Rupen Fofaria is a storyteller at EDNC.org, where he examines how education policy shows up in classrooms and impacts teachers, students, and families. Rupen has invested much of his time since 2019 reporting stories about literacy instruction in North Carolina.  His stories about the body of research on how kids learn to read take readers inside classrooms, advance student and family narratives, explore challenges for early reading teachers, and study best practices in colleges of education. Prior to joining EdNC, Rupen was an attorney in Raleigh and Chicago, practicing start-up and intellectual property law.  In his (much) younger days, he was a sports writer for ESPN.com, the Raleigh News and Observer, and the Orlando Sentinel. Rupen’s passion is shining light on untold and underreported issues.


Further Resources and Rupen’s Picks:

]]> Tue, 07 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0400 The Reading League The Reading League 3354 As a student growing up with a learning difference, Rupen Fofaria brings a particular empathy and vulnerability to his writing. He offers a storyteller’s sensibility in his reporting, and his work truly embodies the Gandhi quote he lives by: “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” In this podcast episode we’ll dig into the power of story, Rupen’s background and influences (including his life-changing moment with Mr. Boggs), and the journey that has brought him to focus his reporting on the intersection of literacy and equity. As a student growing up with a learning difference, Rupen Fofaria brings a particular empathy and vulnerability to his writing. He offers a storyteller’s sensibility in his reporting, and his work truly embodies the Gandhi quote he lives by: “In a gentle Literacy, Reading, Education, Teaching, Teachers, Policy, Science of Reading No Interview w/ Deborah Jacobson 21 21 Interview w/ Deborah Jacobson full 907021b3-92dd-4bb0-9c3c-a4e3e2a59cd7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9dfba129 Deborah is an education attorney in the San Francisco Bay Area currently representing families and students against school districts throughout Northern California. She is extremely passionate about her work and the rights of children with disabilities and children who are disproportionally affected by the failures of public schools. Deborah is an active member of the educational community and works with parents, teachers, administrators, service providers and local organizations to support the needs of vulnerable youth.


Deborah has spent her entire legal career working on behalf of children. As a law student she worked as a legal intern and special education advocate for Disability Rights California and Bay Area Legal Aide, then quickly became the managing associate at a special education law firm in the District of Columbia where she represented low-income families in court appointed special education cases. Prior to relocating back to the Bay Area, Deborah co-founded The School Justice Project (“SJP”), a legal services and advocacy organization serving older students with special education needs who are involved in Washington DC’s justice system. In 2013 Deborah started her own practice in Berkeley, California, Jacobson Education Law (“JEL”). In addition to her private practice, Deborah has worked as both co-counsel and of counsel for Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (“DREDF”), and she currently serves as Of Counsel for The East Bay Community Law Center in their Education Justice Clinic. 


Deborah has effectively and compassionately represented hundreds of clients in special education matters. She is a frequent presenter at state and national conferences and provides trainings to local advocacy and parent groups.


Further Resources and Deborah’s Picks:

]]> Deborah is an education attorney in the San Francisco Bay Area currently representing families and students against school districts throughout Northern California. She is extremely passionate about her work and the rights of children with disabilities and children who are disproportionally affected by the failures of public schools. Deborah is an active member of the educational community and works with parents, teachers, administrators, service providers and local organizations to support the needs of vulnerable youth.


Deborah has spent her entire legal career working on behalf of children. As a law student she worked as a legal intern and special education advocate for Disability Rights California and Bay Area Legal Aide, then quickly became the managing associate at a special education law firm in the District of Columbia where she represented low-income families in court appointed special education cases. Prior to relocating back to the Bay Area, Deborah co-founded The School Justice Project (“SJP”), a legal services and advocacy organization serving older students with special education needs who are involved in Washington DC’s justice system. In 2013 Deborah started her own practice in Berkeley, California, Jacobson Education Law (“JEL”). In addition to her private practice, Deborah has worked as both co-counsel and of counsel for Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (“DREDF”), and she currently serves as Of Counsel for The East Bay Community Law Center in their Education Justice Clinic. 


Deborah has effectively and compassionately represented hundreds of clients in special education matters. She is a frequent presenter at state and national conferences and provides trainings to local advocacy and parent groups.


Further Resources and Deborah’s Picks:

]]> Tue, 03 May 2022 05:00:00 -0400 The Reading League The Reading League 3171 Our guest today is Deborah Jacobson, a special education attorney from Berkeley, California who came to my attention when I read about a lawsuit against Berkeley Unified School District for not serving the needs of students who struggle to learn to read. We’ll talk about what led to the legal action, the terms of the settlement, and what this might mean for districts across the country and for the future of our children. Our guest today is Deborah Jacobson, a special education attorney from Berkeley, California who came to my attention when I read about a lawsuit against Berkeley Unified School District for not serving the needs of students who struggle to learn to read. Literacy, Reading, Education, Teaching, Teachers, Policy, Science of Reading No Interview w/ Audie Alumbaugh 20 20 Interview w/ Audie Alumbaugh full 26b25c8b-c622-4805-9ceb-a9ba4e0fff8a https://share.transistor.fm/s/39dd6108 Audie Alumbaugh received her master’s degree in special education but has been an unpaid advocate for Arkansas children for over 10 years. Her passion began when teaching mathematics and recognizing that middle school and high school students were unable to perform at the potential when “word problems” were presented to them. it did not take long after that for her to realize the reading crisis in Arkansas. When her faculty position at the University of Central Arkansas and her advocacy for children resulted in what public school superintendents referred to as a “conflict of interest,” Audie left her faculty position knowing children’s education is more important and much more urgently needed. Audie has advocated for thousands of children and attended thousands of 504 and IEP meetings around the state as well as several outside of her home state. In 2015 Audie founded the Arkansas Dyslexia Support Group and funded its activities herself. Audie works tirelessly with the Arkansas legislature. Through her work several laws have been enacted strengthening public schools’ responsibility in identifying children with dyslexia and providing proper science-based intervention. Audie has assisted advocates in other states and worked to strengthen their laws as well. 


This is a labor of love for Audie. 


Further Resources and Audie’s Picks:

]]> Audie Alumbaugh received her master’s degree in special education but has been an unpaid advocate for Arkansas children for over 10 years. Her passion began when teaching mathematics and recognizing that middle school and high school students were unable to perform at the potential when “word problems” were presented to them. it did not take long after that for her to realize the reading crisis in Arkansas. When her faculty position at the University of Central Arkansas and her advocacy for children resulted in what public school superintendents referred to as a “conflict of interest,” Audie left her faculty position knowing children’s education is more important and much more urgently needed. Audie has advocated for thousands of children and attended thousands of 504 and IEP meetings around the state as well as several outside of her home state. In 2015 Audie founded the Arkansas Dyslexia Support Group and funded its activities herself. Audie works tirelessly with the Arkansas legislature. Through her work several laws have been enacted strengthening public schools’ responsibility in identifying children with dyslexia and providing proper science-based intervention. Audie has assisted advocates in other states and worked to strengthen their laws as well. 


This is a labor of love for Audie. 


Further Resources and Audie’s Picks:

]]> Tue, 05 Apr 2022 05:00:00 -0400 The Reading League The Reading League 3372 Audie Alumbaugh is an extraordinary advocate for the children of Arkansas, traveling the state supporting families as they navigate the education system, and working with legislators and the governor to pass important legislation over the last ten years. In this podcast episode, she’ll share her journey and her relentless pursuit of literacy for all; as she states, “society will not rest until we get this fixed.” You will leave this podcast inspired and moved. Audie Alumbaugh is an extraordinary advocate for the children of Arkansas, traveling the state supporting families as they navigate the education system, and working with legislators and the governor to pass important legislation over the last ten years. Literacy, Reading, Education, Teaching, Teachers, Policy, Science of Reading No Interview w/ Kelly Butler 19 19 Interview w/ Kelly Butler full 268b4cce-daaf-4b25-8c32-47786feaaccc https://share.transistor.fm/s/e1ce1bca Kelly Butler is the Chief Executive Officer of The Barksdale Reading Institute (BRI). The Institute’s literacy work encompasses early childhood, parenting, professional development for teachers, teacher preparation, and developing literacy leaders.


Ms. Butler is the author of two statewide studies and developed a subsequent statewide initiative to improve teacher preparation programs focused on early literacy instruction in Mississippi’s 15 public and private universities. 


A former high school teacher in the Greenwich, Connecticut Public Schools, Ms. Butler holds a bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a master’s degree in Administration, Planning and Social Policy from Harvard University. She served by appointment to the Governor’s Task Force on Teacher Preparation for Early Literacy Instruction and the State Reading Panel and, most recently, the Governor’s Task Force on Educator Workforce Development. 


Kelly has leveraged the Institute’s successful track record to initiate several multi-organization and multi-state initiatives, including The Big Dippers Short Course in the Science of Reading for Teach For America’s National Summer Institute, The Path Forward: Bringing the Science of Reading to Teacher Preparation Programs and Licensure, and a twenty-member national team of reading experts to review the teacher preparation programs in a neighboring state. 


Kelly is frequently called upon to tell the story of Mississippi’s literacy challenges and successes, and as more states are responding to the literacy instruction crisis, BRI has provided consultation to a number of legislative and philanthropic groups from various states.


Kelly is the recipient of The Reading League’s 2021 Benita Blachman award, for advancing evidence to practice.


Ms. Butler lives in Jackson, Mississippi with her husband, Thorne. They have five daughters.


Further Resources and Kelly’s Picks:

]]> Kelly Butler is the Chief Executive Officer of The Barksdale Reading Institute (BRI). The Institute’s literacy work encompasses early childhood, parenting, professional development for teachers, teacher preparation, and developing literacy leaders.


Ms. Butler is the author of two statewide studies and developed a subsequent statewide initiative to improve teacher preparation programs focused on early literacy instruction in Mississippi’s 15 public and private universities. 


A former high school teacher in the Greenwich, Connecticut Public Schools, Ms. Butler holds a bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a master’s degree in Administration, Planning and Social Policy from Harvard University. She served by appointment to the Governor’s Task Force on Teacher Preparation for Early Literacy Instruction and the State Reading Panel and, most recently, the Governor’s Task Force on Educator Workforce Development. 


Kelly has leveraged the Institute’s successful track record to initiate several multi-organization and multi-state initiatives, including The Big Dippers Short Course in the Science of Reading for Teach For America’s National Summer Institute, The Path Forward: Bringing the Science of Reading to Teacher Preparation Programs and Licensure, and a twenty-member national team of reading experts to review the teacher preparation programs in a neighboring state. 


Kelly is frequently called upon to tell the story of Mississippi’s literacy challenges and successes, and as more states are responding to the literacy instruction crisis, BRI has provided consultation to a number of legislative and philanthropic groups from various states.


Kelly is the recipient of The Reading League’s 2021 Benita Blachman award, for advancing evidence to practice.


Ms. Butler lives in Jackson, Mississippi with her husband, Thorne. They have five daughters.


Further Resources and Kelly’s Picks:

]]> Tue, 01 Mar 2022 05:00:00 -0500 The Reading League The Reading League 4745 I’ve known Kelly for several years and have had the good fortune to work with her on several projects. I find her a passionate leader in advocating for evidence-based and equitable instruction for all students, with true devotion to her home state of Mississippi. In this episode, you’ll learn about the Mississippi success story (including lessons learned), Kelly’s professional journey, and the five credos she lives by. I’ve known Kelly for several years and have had the good fortune to work with her on several projects. I find her a passionate leader in advocating for evidence-based and equitable instruction for all students, with true devotion to her home state of Miss Literacy, Reading, Education, Teaching, Teachers, Policy, Science of Reading No Interview w/ Shawn Robinson 18 18 Interview w/ Shawn Robinson full 3a4b812f-4eca-498d-baef-8be02c0b898e https://share.transistor.fm/s/5c5bce61 Shawn Anthony Robinson Ph.D.is co-founder of Doctor Dyslexia Dude and serves on the inaugural advisory council of Benetech. Robinson has over 40 peer-reviewed publications and received several distinguished honors throughout his career, including the 2017 Alumni Achievement Award/New Trier High School Alumni Hall of Honor; the 2016 Outstanding Young Alumni Award from University of Wisconsin; and “Educator of the Year” from All-State Insurance (Chicago) 2005. Robinson is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Further Resources:

Dr. Robinson’s Scholarly Work:

]]> Shawn Anthony Robinson Ph.D.is co-founder of Doctor Dyslexia Dude and serves on the inaugural advisory council of Benetech. Robinson has over 40 peer-reviewed publications and received several distinguished honors throughout his career, including the 2017 Alumni Achievement Award/New Trier High School Alumni Hall of Honor; the 2016 Outstanding Young Alumni Award from University of Wisconsin; and “Educator of the Year” from All-State Insurance (Chicago) 2005. Robinson is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Further Resources:

Dr. Robinson’s Scholarly Work:

]]> Tue, 01 Feb 2022 05:00:00 -0500 The Reading League The Reading League 4365 Shawn Anthony Robinson has an amazing and inspiring story to tell. In this episode, you’ll learn about his journey from special education to learning to read, then going on to receive bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees. You’ll also hear about the scope and impact of his work, which he describes as the intersection of race, giftedness, and dyslexia. Finally, you’ll meet “Dr. Dyslexia Dude,” his autobiographical superhero graphic novel series. Shawn Anthony Robinson has an amazing and inspiring story to tell. In this episode, you’ll learn about his journey from special education to learning to read, then going on to receive bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees. You’ll also hear about the Literacy, Reading, Education, Teaching, Teachers, Policy, Science of Reading No Interview w/ Jeannine Herron 17 17 Interview w/ Jeannine Herron full e2c9913a-6dcc-4119-84be-e9249633198e https://share.transistor.fm/s/7714c399 Jeannine Herron, Ph.D. is a research neuropsychologist. After ten years of dyslexia research at University of California at San Francisco, she became founder/CEO of Talking Fingers. She was the Principal Investigator on five Small Business Innovation Research grants from the National Institute of Child Health (NICHD) to develop and do research with early literacy software, in collaboration with Joe Torgesen, Carol Connor, Linnea Ehri, Patricia Mathes, Margie Gillis, and others whose mentorship enriched her research and her life. She is the author of several books, including  Making Speech Visible: How Constructing Words Can Help Children Organize their Brains for Skillful Reading.


Additional Resources:

  • Talking Fingers (Includes more about Jeannine Herron as well as information about Talking Shapes;  Read, Write and Type;  and Wordy Qwerty).

Books by Jeannine Herron:

Jeannine’s Picks:

Select Publications by Jeannine Herron:

  • Torgesen, J.K., Wagner, R.K., Rashotte, C.A., Herron, J. and Lindamood, P; Computer-assisted instruction to prevent early reading difficulties in students at-risk for dyslexia: Outcomes from two instructional approaches.  Annals of Dyslexia, vol 60, p 40-46, 2009.
  • Galin, D., Raz, J., Fein, G., Johnstone, J., Herron, J., and Yingling C.D., EEG spectra in dyslexic and normal readers during oral and silent reading. Electroenceph. Clin. Neurophysiol. 82:87-101, 1992.
  • Galin, D., Herron, J., Fein, G., Johnstone, J., and Yingling C.D., EEG measures of hem. spec. in dyslexic and normal reading children. Brain and Language 35:241-253, 1988.
  • Fein, G., Galin, D., Yingling C.D., Johnstone, J., Davenport, L., & Herron, J., EEG spectra in dyslexic and control boys during resting conditions. EEG Clin. Neuro. 63:87-97, 1986.
  • Brown, B., Haegerstrom-Portnoy, G., Herron, J., Galin, D., Yingling, C.D., and Marcus, M., Static postural stability is normal in dyslexic children. J. Learning Dis. 18:31-34, 1985.
  • Johnstone, J., Galin, D., Fein, G., Yingling C.D., Herron, J., and Marcus, M., Regional brain activity in dyslexic and control children during reading tasks: Visual probe event-related potentials. Brain and Language 21:233-254, 1984.
  • Fein, G., Galin, D., Yingling C.D., Johnstone, J., and Herron, J., EEG in dyslexia. In C. Susskind (Ed.) Interdisciplinary Studies, Report 83-1, College of Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, pp. 86-92, 1983.
  • Brown, B., Haegerstrom-Portnoy, G., Adams, A.J., Yingling, C.D., Galin, D., Herron, J., and Marcus, M., Predictive eye movements do not discriminate between dyslexic and control children. Neuropsychologia, 21: 121-128, 1983.
  • Brown, B., Haegerstrom-Portnoy, G., Yingling, C.D., Herron, J., Galin, D., and Marcus, M., Dyslexic children have normal vestibular responses to rotation. Arch. Neurology, 40: 370-373, 1983.
  • Galin, D., Ornstein, R., Herron, J., and Johnstone, J. Sex and handedness differences in EEG measures of hemispheric specialization. Brain and Language 16, 19-55, 1982.
  • Herron, J. Integrating Electrophysiology into Research in Learning Disabilities. International Neuropsychological Society, Atlanta, February, 1981.
  • Ornstein, R., Johnstone, J., Herron, J., and Swencionis, C. Differential right hemisphere engagement in visuospatial tasks. Neuropsychologia, Vol. 18 pp. 49 to 64. 1980.
  • Herron, J. Two Hands, Two Brains, Two Sexes. Chapter in Neuropsychology of Left-Handedness, Academic Press, 180.


]]> Jeannine Herron, Ph.D. is a research neuropsychologist. After ten years of dyslexia research at University of California at San Francisco, she became founder/CEO of Talking Fingers. She was the Principal Investigator on five Small Business Innovation Research grants from the National Institute of Child Health (NICHD) to develop and do research with early literacy software, in collaboration with Joe Torgesen, Carol Connor, Linnea Ehri, Patricia Mathes, Margie Gillis, and others whose mentorship enriched her research and her life. She is the author of several books, including  Making Speech Visible: How Constructing Words Can Help Children Organize their Brains for Skillful Reading.


Additional Resources:

  • Talking Fingers (Includes more about Jeannine Herron as well as information about Talking Shapes;  Read, Write and Type;  and Wordy Qwerty).

Books by Jeannine Herron:

Jeannine’s Picks:

Select Publications by Jeannine Herron:

  • Torgesen, J.K., Wagner, R.K., Rashotte, C.A., Herron, J. and Lindamood, P; Computer-assisted instruction to prevent early reading difficulties in students at-risk for dyslexia: Outcomes from two instructional approaches.  Annals of Dyslexia, vol 60, p 40-46, 2009.
  • Galin, D., Raz, J., Fein, G., Johnstone, J., Herron, J., and Yingling C.D., EEG spectra in dyslexic and normal readers during oral and silent reading. Electroenceph. Clin. Neurophysiol. 82:87-101, 1992.
  • Galin, D., Herron, J., Fein, G., Johnstone, J., and Yingling C.D., EEG measures of hem. spec. in dyslexic and normal reading children. Brain and Language 35:241-253, 1988.
  • Fein, G., Galin, D., Yingling C.D., Johnstone, J., Davenport, L., & Herron, J., EEG spectra in dyslexic and control boys during resting conditions. EEG Clin. Neuro. 63:87-97, 1986.
  • Brown, B., Haegerstrom-Portnoy, G., Herron, J., Galin, D., Yingling, C.D., and Marcus, M., Static postural stability is normal in dyslexic children. J. Learning Dis. 18:31-34, 1985.
  • Johnstone, J., Galin, D., Fein, G., Yingling C.D., Herron, J., and Marcus, M., Regional brain activity in dyslexic and control children during reading tasks: Visual probe event-related potentials. Brain and Language 21:233-254, 1984.
  • Fein, G., Galin, D., Yingling C.D., Johnstone, J., and Herron, J., EEG in dyslexia. In C. Susskind (Ed.) Interdisciplinary Studies, Report 83-1, College of Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, pp. 86-92, 1983.
  • Brown, B., Haegerstrom-Portnoy, G., Adams, A.J., Yingling, C.D., Galin, D., Herron, J., and Marcus, M., Predictive eye movements do not discriminate between dyslexic and control children. Neuropsychologia, 21: 121-128, 1983.
  • Brown, B., Haegerstrom-Portnoy, G., Yingling, C.D., Herron, J., Galin, D., and Marcus, M., Dyslexic children have normal vestibular responses to rotation. Arch. Neurology, 40: 370-373, 1983.
  • Galin, D., Ornstein, R., Herron, J., and Johnstone, J. Sex and handedness differences in EEG measures of hemispheric specialization. Brain and Language 16, 19-55, 1982.
  • Herron, J. Integrating Electrophysiology into Research in Learning Disabilities. International Neuropsychological Society, Atlanta, February, 1981.
  • Ornstein, R., Johnstone, J., Herron, J., and Swencionis, C. Differential right hemisphere engagement in visuospatial tasks. Neuropsychologia, Vol. 18 pp. 49 to 64. 1980.
  • Herron, J. Two Hands, Two Brains, Two Sexes. Chapter in Neuropsychology of Left-Handedness, Academic Press, 180.


]]> Tue, 11 Jan 2022 05:00:00 -0500 The Reading League The Reading League 4915 Jeannine Herron has led a remarkable life. She is an accomplished neurobiologist, educator, research psychologist, software developer, author, and entrepreneur. In this episode you’ll learn about her involvement in the civil rights movement and how this led to directing the first Head Start program, her family’s year-and-a-half sailing journey to West Africa, her groundbreaking research, and her current work. Jeannine continues her relentless devotion to the cause of literacy for all, and her greatest hope is a “literacy revolution.” This episode is a fascinating look at a fascinating life. Jeannine Herron has led a remarkable life. She is an accomplished neurobiologist, educator, research psychologist, software developer, author, and entrepreneur. In this episode you’ll learn about her involvement in the civil rights movement and how this l Literacy, Reading, Education, Teaching, Teachers, Policy, Science of Reading No Interview w/ Sam Duncan and Angie Hanlin 16 16 Interview w/ Sam Duncan and Angie Hanlin full 8bafea34-1a4d-44d2-9041-8eed4cf408e9 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9c300b5f Angie Hanlin is a dedicated and passionate leader for change in schools and classrooms.  She currently serves as the superintendent at the School District of Thorp in Thorp, Wisconsin where she works tirelessly to positively transform teacher practice and student achievement. She bases her career on the belief that ALL students can learn and perform at high levels of achievement when they are given highly engaging, research-based instructional practices and targeted specific interventions.  She creates a growth mindset among her students, staff, and community and uses character education to shape and sustain a positive culture of collaboration and growth that is focused on learning.

Angie has over 20 years of experience in education where she has served in the roles of classroom teacher, curriculum coordinator, instructional coach, professional development coordinator where she worked to train and coach teachers on effective instructional practices and strategies, and as a building principal at Matthews Elementary in the New Madrid County R-1 School District. She has received numerous awards for her performance in the classroom and has found a new passion for working with building leaders to promote systems to improve literacy for all students.

Angie received the 2019-2020 Outstanding Rural Administrator Award from MARE (Missouri Association of Rural Educators).  She is now on a journey of literacy improvement, systems & structure work, and school district transformation with the amazing staff, students, and community members at the School District of Thorp.

Dr. Sam Duncan is the Superintendent of Schools for the New Madrid County R-1 School District (NMCR-1) where he began his career as a high school English/foreign language teacher in 1988. After serving as a junior high principal at NMCR-1, he moved to another district as a middle school principal, and then to central office administrator. He returned to NMCR-1 in 2016 to take his current position.

Dr. Duncan has led NMCR-1 through a season of heralded improvements. This upper-Mississippi-Delta school system covers 470 square miles with 7 city councils. Since 2016, the district has experienced significant improvements in literacy, school security, financial stability, co-curricular offerings, and technical skills expansion, while also cutting the percent of students with IEPs in half.

Duncan is most proud of the continued support of the R-1 Board of Education in the promotion of student literacy. He touts the ever-pressing commitment of his leadership team, as well as the tenacious efforts of faculty and staff to grow assessment-capable learners and students who “don’t just read, but read well!” NMCR-1 continues to drive toward being a well-ordered, highly collaborative, data-driven, impressively impactful, and “globally consistent yet individually responsive” Pk-12 educational community.


Additional Resources:

Angie’s Picks:

Sam’s Picks:

]]> Angie Hanlin is a dedicated and passionate leader for change in schools and classrooms.  She currently serves as the superintendent at the School District of Thorp in Thorp, Wisconsin where she works tirelessly to positively transform teacher practice and student achievement. She bases her career on the belief that ALL students can learn and perform at high levels of achievement when they are given highly engaging, research-based instructional practices and targeted specific interventions.  She creates a growth mindset among her students, staff, and community and uses character education to shape and sustain a positive culture of collaboration and growth that is focused on learning.

Angie has over 20 years of experience in education where she has served in the roles of classroom teacher, curriculum coordinator, instructional coach, professional development coordinator where she worked to train and coach teachers on effective instructional practices and strategies, and as a building principal at Matthews Elementary in the New Madrid County R-1 School District. She has received numerous awards for her performance in the classroom and has found a new passion for working with building leaders to promote systems to improve literacy for all students.

Angie received the 2019-2020 Outstanding Rural Administrator Award from MARE (Missouri Association of Rural Educators).  She is now on a journey of literacy improvement, systems & structure work, and school district transformation with the amazing staff, students, and community members at the School District of Thorp.

Dr. Sam Duncan is the Superintendent of Schools for the New Madrid County R-1 School District (NMCR-1) where he began his career as a high school English/foreign language teacher in 1988. After serving as a junior high principal at NMCR-1, he moved to another district as a middle school principal, and then to central office administrator. He returned to NMCR-1 in 2016 to take his current position.

Dr. Duncan has led NMCR-1 through a season of heralded improvements. This upper-Mississippi-Delta school system covers 470 square miles with 7 city councils. Since 2016, the district has experienced significant improvements in literacy, school security, financial stability, co-curricular offerings, and technical skills expansion, while also cutting the percent of students with IEPs in half.

Duncan is most proud of the continued support of the R-1 Board of Education in the promotion of student literacy. He touts the ever-pressing commitment of his leadership team, as well as the tenacious efforts of faculty and staff to grow assessment-capable learners and students who “don’t just read, but read well!” NMCR-1 continues to drive toward being a well-ordered, highly collaborative, data-driven, impressively impactful, and “globally consistent yet individually responsive” Pk-12 educational community.


Additional Resources:

Angie’s Picks:

Sam’s Picks:

]]> Tue, 07 Dec 2021 05:00:00 -0500 The Reading League The Reading League 3721 Matthews Elementary in New Madrid County, Missouri resides in one of the poorest congressional districts in the U.S. and was chronically low-achieving in the area of reading. In this episode, you’ll hear the inspiring story of two educational leaders who transformed this school and district to ensure that all children could learn to read. As principal Angie Hanlin and Superintendent Sam Duncan led this change process, they adopted the mantra: “It doesn’t matter about the past. What matters is now; no blaming, only fixing.” Angie and Sam share their journey and lessons learned, including the relentless nature of pursuing change, the power of high expectations, the importance of giving everyone a voice, and the key to owning your data. They will also discuss their respective roles as leaders and change agents, and how they are driven to never give up on what they consider their moral obligation to their students. Matthews Elementary in New Madrid County, Missouri resides in one of the poorest congressional districts in the U.S. and was chronically low-achieving in the area of reading. In this episode, you’ll hear the inspiring story of two educational leaders who Literacy, Reading, Education, Teaching, Teachers, Policy, Science of Reading No Interview w/ Tracy Weeden 15 15 Interview w/ Tracy Weeden full 3f61b2bf-ff40-48ab-9505-d6b4cd489427 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a8436c5b Dr. Tracy Weeden is a seasoned and passionate leader dedicated to advancing literacy and academic excellence for children and adults. With an Ed.D in Educational Leadership, Tracy has spent her career creating and building innovative programs, systems, and teams focused on providing enhanced learning opportunities and exceptional outcomes for students.

Tracy is a true visionary when it comes to improving the world through education. Her innovative style of leadership, combined with her compassionate and engaging nature, enables her to successfully manage change and growth across a diverse constituent base including Boards of Trustees, donors, staff, parents, teachers, educational partners, and students.

In her current role as President and CEO of Neuhaus, she provides leadership and support in the areas of financial management, recruitment and development of staff, fundraising initiatives, initiating and furthering relationships with NEC partners, and guidance of professional and public relations.

Prior to joining Neuhaus, Tracy was the Executive Director of Academic Planning with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Intervention Services Group (a division recently acquired from Scholastic Achievement Partners). In this capacity, Dr. Weeden provided executive consulting nationally on the development of systems that helped school districts improve student achievement and address barriers to rigorous, relevant learning. Prior to Scholastic Achievement Partners, she spent more than five years as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment for the Houston Independent School District.

Additional Resources:

Tracy’s Picks:

]]> Dr. Tracy Weeden is a seasoned and passionate leader dedicated to advancing literacy and academic excellence for children and adults. With an Ed.D in Educational Leadership, Tracy has spent her career creating and building innovative programs, systems, and teams focused on providing enhanced learning opportunities and exceptional outcomes for students.

Tracy is a true visionary when it comes to improving the world through education. Her innovative style of leadership, combined with her compassionate and engaging nature, enables her to successfully manage change and growth across a diverse constituent base including Boards of Trustees, donors, staff, parents, teachers, educational partners, and students.

In her current role as President and CEO of Neuhaus, she provides leadership and support in the areas of financial management, recruitment and development of staff, fundraising initiatives, initiating and furthering relationships with NEC partners, and guidance of professional and public relations.

Prior to joining Neuhaus, Tracy was the Executive Director of Academic Planning with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Intervention Services Group (a division recently acquired from Scholastic Achievement Partners). In this capacity, Dr. Weeden provided executive consulting nationally on the development of systems that helped school districts improve student achievement and address barriers to rigorous, relevant learning. Prior to Scholastic Achievement Partners, she spent more than five years as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment for the Houston Independent School District.

Additional Resources:

Tracy’s Picks:

]]> Tue, 02 Nov 2021 06:00:00 -0400 The Reading League The Reading League 3226 Dr. Tracy Weeden leads us into a deeply personal and honest discussion around her work and her passion, particularly the conviction that literacy is the currency of the 21st century and that we need to educate ALL of our children well so that they can have a “place at the table.” Tracy talks about her beginnings as the oldest of seven children (her “first classroom”) and “Bessie’s Book Club” as early influences. Her words of wisdom include acknowledging that we don’t know what we don’t know so we must strive to be “better not bitter.” She defines memorable acronyms for FEAR and FAITH, and advises young people to not answer the question, “What do you want to do?” but answer the question “How do you want to change the world?” Tracy has indeed done her part to change the world, and for that we are grateful. This discussion will inspire, motivate, and touch your heart. Dr. Tracy Weeden leads us into a deeply personal and honest discussion around her work and her passion, particularly the conviction that literacy is the currency of the 21st century and that we need to educate ALL of our children well so that they can hav Literacy, Reading, Education, Teaching, Teachers, Policy, Science of Reading No Interview w/ Jan Hasbrouck 14 14 Interview w/ Jan Hasbrouck full ecd0224b-1c3c-4cba-b8c0-84a81a043d2d https://share.transistor.fm/s/0b0bee66 Dr. Jan Hasbrouck is a researcher, educational consultant, and author. She served as Executive Consultant to the Washington State Reading Initiative and as an advisor to the Texas Reading Initiative. Dr. Hasbrouck was a reading specialist and literacy coach for 15 years before teaching at the University of Oregon and later becoming a professor at Texas A&M University. Dr. Hasbrouck has provided educational consulting to individual schools across the United States as well as in Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, and Germany, helping teachers, specialists, and administrators design and implement effective assessment and instructional programs targeted to help low-performing readers.


Dr. Hasbrouck earned her B.A. and M.A. from the University of Oregon, and completed her Ph.D. at Texas A&M. Her research in areas of reading fluency, reading assessment, instructional coaching, and English Learners has been published in numerous professional books and journals. She is the author and coauthor of several books including “Conquering Dyslexia”, “Reading Fluency”, “Student-Focused Coaching” and “Educators as Physicians”, along with several assessment tools. In 2019 she helped found Read Washington, a 501(c3) nonprofit organization with the mission to “provide professional development opportunities, based on the science of reading, so every student becomes a skilled and confident reader.” She also enjoys volunteering at her grandson’s K-8 school in Seattle.


Further Resources by Jan Hasbrouck

Other Resources Mentioned:

Jan’s Picks

]]> Dr. Jan Hasbrouck is a researcher, educational consultant, and author. She served as Executive Consultant to the Washington State Reading Initiative and as an advisor to the Texas Reading Initiative. Dr. Hasbrouck was a reading specialist and literacy coach for 15 years before teaching at the University of Oregon and later becoming a professor at Texas A&M University. Dr. Hasbrouck has provided educational consulting to individual schools across the United States as well as in Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, and Germany, helping teachers, specialists, and administrators design and implement effective assessment and instructional programs targeted to help low-performing readers.


Dr. Hasbrouck earned her B.A. and M.A. from the University of Oregon, and completed her Ph.D. at Texas A&M. Her research in areas of reading fluency, reading assessment, instructional coaching, and English Learners has been published in numerous professional books and journals. She is the author and coauthor of several books including “Conquering Dyslexia”, “Reading Fluency”, “Student-Focused Coaching” and “Educators as Physicians”, along with several assessment tools. In 2019 she helped found Read Washington, a 501(c3) nonprofit organization with the mission to “provide professional development opportunities, based on the science of reading, so every student becomes a skilled and confident reader.” She also enjoys volunteering at her grandson’s K-8 school in Seattle.


Further Resources by Jan Hasbrouck

Other Resources Mentioned:

Jan’s Picks

]]> Tue, 05 Oct 2021 05:00:00 -0400 The Reading League The Reading League 4397 Jan Hasbrouck is a well-known and respected researcher, teacher, and author, with a career dedicated to serving students. In this episode, you’ll learn about her beginnings and early influences as a teacher, how her work continues to evolve, and her commitment to remaining humble, curious and collaborative. This is a delightful conversation with a very generous educator whose work has positively impacted teachers and children everywhere. Jan Hasbrouck is a well-known and respected researcher, teacher, and author, with a career dedicated to serving students. In this episode, you’ll learn about her beginnings and early influences as a teacher, how her work continues to evolve, and her commi Literacy, Reading, Education, Teaching, Teachers, Policy, Science of Reading No Interview w/ Dusty & Dott 13 13 Interview w/ Dusty & Dott full 9194af9c-995f-462c-a0a0-ec94b57aa69a https://share.transistor.fm/s/c6ae5ea6 In this episode, we’ll talk with Dusty, Dott, and Alphabott, learn how they became friends and discover how they are sharing Dusty’s journey in learning to read. You’ll find out all about their television show and how Dusty and Dott have worked with The Reading League to ensure that the science of reading is the foundation for the show.  

After hearing from our friends, we hope you'll become a Reading Buddy, too!

The Reading League’s Reading Buddies launches in September 2021 and can be viewed on YouTube and WCNY-PBS. Like the show on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter to stay informed and subscribe to the show’s YouTube channel to be notified of new episodes and videos when they are released.  


Learn more about The Reading League’s Reading Buddies at www.thereadingleague.org/Reading-Buddies.

Join The Reading League’s Reading Buddies on Social Media:

]]> In this episode, we’ll talk with Dusty, Dott, and Alphabott, learn how they became friends and discover how they are sharing Dusty’s journey in learning to read. You’ll find out all about their television show and how Dusty and Dott have worked with The Reading League to ensure that the science of reading is the foundation for the show.  

After hearing from our friends, we hope you'll become a Reading Buddy, too!

The Reading League’s Reading Buddies launches in September 2021 and can be viewed on YouTube and WCNY-PBS. Like the show on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter to stay informed and subscribe to the show’s YouTube channel to be notified of new episodes and videos when they are released.  


Learn more about The Reading League’s Reading Buddies at www.thereadingleague.org/Reading-Buddies.

Join The Reading League’s Reading Buddies on Social Media:

]]> Tue, 07 Sep 2021 05:00:00 -0400 The Reading League The Reading League 1324 What do a dog, a girl, and a robot have in common? First and foremost, Dusty, Dott, and Alphabott are best friends. But they are also reading buddies! Dusty loves to talk, but learning to read is a new skill. With the help of Dott and Alphabott, he discovers that it can be so much fun! Along the way, the friends practice letters, sounds and reading words, improvise stories, get letters from their globe-trotting friend Otto, practice social skills, and so much more. What do a dog, a girl, and a robot have in common? First and foremost, Dusty, Dott, and Alphabott are best friends. But they are also reading buddies! Dusty loves to talk, but learning to read is a new skill. With the help of Dott and Alphabott, he discov Literacy, Reading, Education, Teaching, Teachers, Policy, Science of Reading No Interview w/ Pam Kastner 12 12 Interview w/ Pam Kastner full 3009534b-447e-478a-a0fa-1e5e30bb226d https://share.transistor.fm/s/fc08bab5 Pam Kastner, Ed.D., is an educational consultant at the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) in Harrisburg, where she serves as the State Lead Consultant for Literacy. Pam currently co-leads Pennsylvania’s Dyslexia Screening and Early Literacy Intervention Pilot Program extension and expansion for PaTTAN. In addition, she is part of a research team investigating the impact of explicit instruction in advanced phonemic awareness on student literacy outcomes. She serves on the statewide Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS) team working extensively in the area of literacy, effective instruction, formative assessment, and professional learning communities. She has served in a number of leadership capacities at the district level and served as a Pennsylvania Distinguished Educator for the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Pam is a certified Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) trainer and a certified reading specialist. Pam also has the honor of serving as the President of The Reading League Pennsylvania.

Today’s sponsor is Reading Horizons. Reading Horizons programs deliver proven supplemental core literacy instruction, based on the science of reading. The Reading Horizons podcast, named Podclassed, takes a deep dive into learning-focused topics such as structured literacy, social-emotional learning, dyslexia, and ed-tech with host, Laura Axtell—an educator and trainer with over 26 years of experience in instructional and administrative settings.  Visit readinghorizons.com/podcast to learn more.

Further Learning/Resources from Dr. Kastner

 Pam’s Picks

]]> Pam Kastner, Ed.D., is an educational consultant at the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) in Harrisburg, where she serves as the State Lead Consultant for Literacy. Pam currently co-leads Pennsylvania’s Dyslexia Screening and Early Literacy Intervention Pilot Program extension and expansion for PaTTAN. In addition, she is part of a research team investigating the impact of explicit instruction in advanced phonemic awareness on student literacy outcomes. She serves on the statewide Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS) team working extensively in the area of literacy, effective instruction, formative assessment, and professional learning communities. She has served in a number of leadership capacities at the district level and served as a Pennsylvania Distinguished Educator for the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Pam is a certified Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) trainer and a certified reading specialist. Pam also has the honor of serving as the President of The Reading League Pennsylvania.

Today’s sponsor is Reading Horizons. Reading Horizons programs deliver proven supplemental core literacy instruction, based on the science of reading. The Reading Horizons podcast, named Podclassed, takes a deep dive into learning-focused topics such as structured literacy, social-emotional learning, dyslexia, and ed-tech with host, Laura Axtell—an educator and trainer with over 26 years of experience in instructional and administrative settings.  Visit readinghorizons.com/podcast to learn more.

Further Learning/Resources from Dr. Kastner

 Pam’s Picks

]]> Tue, 03 Aug 2021 05:00:00 -0400 The Reading League The Reading League 3288 Dr. Pam Kastner is one of the most generous teachers in the field of reading, sharing her unparalleled collections of resources, hosting learning events, and serving as a literacy leader in her state of Pennsylvania and nationally. She is a true “teacher’s teacher,” believing in and providing multiple points of entry to teachers in their professional learning. In this podcast episode, Pam discusses ways to support our collective efficacy. She also unpacks the idea that sometimes behavior can persuade belief. Pam’s thoughts and words will touch a chord, as she imparts some great words of wisdom: Be kind, celebrate wins along the way, and keep all of our work anchored to kids. We are helping them become the person they are meant to be. Pam considers herself a “literacy warrior.” She is indeed. Dr. Pam Kastner is one of the most generous teachers in the field of reading, sharing her unparalleled collections of resources, hosting learning events, and serving as a literacy leader in her state of Pennsylvania and nationally. She is a true “teacher’ Literacy, Reading, Education, Teaching, Teachers, Policy, Science of Reading No Interview w/ Linnea Ehri 11 11 Interview w/ Linnea Ehri full 2e8276ba-3fd3-47d8-9bde-7d6f3c7e17f4 https://share.transistor.fm/s/4c370215 Linnea C. Ehri  Ph.D. is an American psychologist, currently Distinguished Professor Emerita of Educational Psychology at The Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Dr. Ehri received her B.S. in Psychology at the University of Washington in Seattle and her M.A. in Psychology at San Francisco University. She received her Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.  Prior to joining the faculty of The Graduate Center CUNY as a Distinguished Professor in 1991, Linnea was a professor at the University of California, Davis.    


Linnea has served on editorial boards of nine scientific journals. She has published over 100 research papers and edited two books. Her studies have contributed to our understanding of psychological processes and sources of difficulty in learning to read and spell.


She has received awards for distinguished research from the Society for the Scientific Study of Reading (SSSR), American Educational Research Association, International Reading Association, and National Reading Conference. She is a member of the Reading Hall of Fame, and past president of SSSR. She was a member of the National Reading Panel that was established by the U.S. Congress to evaluate evidence indicating effective methods of teaching reading. On this panel she chaired the committee that reviewed research on phonemic awareness instruction and systematic phonics instruction. 


Although Dr. Ehri has recently received Faculty Emeritus status, she continues to advise students and offer her expertise on literacy development and reading instruction.   Recent publications have examined the ways in which children and young adults learning orthographic mapping and spelling.


This podcast is sponsored by Heggerty. The Heggerty curricula has 35 weeks of phonological and phonemic awareness lesson plans aligned to the science of reading. Systematic daily lessons require minimal teacher prep time and take just 10-12 minutes to complete. The Heggerty curricula is available in both English and Spanish, and it's being used by thousands of school districts across the US, Canada, and Australia. Learn more about the curricula, our intervention book, and decodable readers at heggerty.org

Further Learning and Resources from Dr. Ehri

Further Reading and Exploration

  • Bhattacharya, A. & Ehri, L. (2004). Graphosyllabic analysis helps adolescent struggling readers read and spell words. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 37, 331-348.
  • Boyer, N., & Ehri, L.C. (2011). Contribution of phonemic segmentation instruction with letters and articulation pictures to word reading and spelling in beginners. Scientific Studies of Reading, 15(5), 440–470.
  • Chambré, S.J., Ehri, L.C., & Ness, M. (2020). Phonological decoding enhances orthographic facilitation of vocabulary learning in first graders. Reading and Writing, 33(5), 1133–1162. 
  • Gaskins, I., Ehri, L., Cress, C., O'Hara, C., & Donnelly, K.  (1996). Procedures for word learning:  Making discoveries about words.  The Reading Teacher, 50, 312-327.
  • Gonzalez-Frey, S.M., & Ehri, L.C. (2021). Connected phonation is more effective than segmented phonation for teaching beginning readers to decode unfamiliar words. Scientific Studies of Reading, 25(3), 272-285.
  • Rosenthal, J. & Ehri, L. (2008). The mnemonic value of orthography for vocabulary learning. Journal of Educational Psychology, 100, 175-191.
  • Sargiani, R., Ehri, L., & Maluf, M.R. (in press). Teaching beginners to decode consonant-vowel syllables using grapheme-phoneme subunits facilitates reading and spelling compared to teaching whole syllable decoding. Reading Research Quarterly.
  • Shmidman, A. & Ehri, L. (2010). Embedded picture mnemonics to learn letters. Scientific Studies of Reading, 14, 159-182.

Other works mentioned by Dr. Ehri

Linnea’s Picks

]]> Linnea C. Ehri  Ph.D. is an American psychologist, currently Distinguished Professor Emerita of Educational Psychology at The Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Dr. Ehri received her B.S. in Psychology at the University of Washington in Seattle and her M.A. in Psychology at San Francisco University. She received her Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.  Prior to joining the faculty of The Graduate Center CUNY as a Distinguished Professor in 1991, Linnea was a professor at the University of California, Davis.    


Linnea has served on editorial boards of nine scientific journals. She has published over 100 research papers and edited two books. Her studies have contributed to our understanding of psychological processes and sources of difficulty in learning to read and spell.


She has received awards for distinguished research from the Society for the Scientific Study of Reading (SSSR), American Educational Research Association, International Reading Association, and National Reading Conference. She is a member of the Reading Hall of Fame, and past president of SSSR. She was a member of the National Reading Panel that was established by the U.S. Congress to evaluate evidence indicating effective methods of teaching reading. On this panel she chaired the committee that reviewed research on phonemic awareness instruction and systematic phonics instruction. 


Although Dr. Ehri has recently received Faculty Emeritus status, she continues to advise students and offer her expertise on literacy development and reading instruction.   Recent publications have examined the ways in which children and young adults learning orthographic mapping and spelling.


This podcast is sponsored by Heggerty. The Heggerty curricula has 35 weeks of phonological and phonemic awareness lesson plans aligned to the science of reading. Systematic daily lessons require minimal teacher prep time and take just 10-12 minutes to complete. The Heggerty curricula is available in both English and Spanish, and it's being used by thousands of school districts across the US, Canada, and Australia. Learn more about the curricula, our intervention book, and decodable readers at heggerty.org

Further Learning and Resources from Dr. Ehri

Further Reading and Exploration

  • Bhattacharya, A. & Ehri, L. (2004). Graphosyllabic analysis helps adolescent struggling readers read and spell words. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 37, 331-348.
  • Boyer, N., & Ehri, L.C. (2011). Contribution of phonemic segmentation instruction with letters and articulation pictures to word reading and spelling in beginners. Scientific Studies of Reading, 15(5), 440–470.
  • Chambré, S.J., Ehri, L.C., & Ness, M. (2020). Phonological decoding enhances orthographic facilitation of vocabulary learning in first graders. Reading and Writing, 33(5), 1133–1162. 
  • Gaskins, I., Ehri, L., Cress, C., O'Hara, C., & Donnelly, K.  (1996). Procedures for word learning:  Making discoveries about words.  The Reading Teacher, 50, 312-327.
  • Gonzalez-Frey, S.M., & Ehri, L.C. (2021). Connected phonation is more effective than segmented phonation for teaching beginning readers to decode unfamiliar words. Scientific Studies of Reading, 25(3), 272-285.
  • Rosenthal, J. & Ehri, L. (2008). The mnemonic value of orthography for vocabulary learning. Journal of Educational Psychology, 100, 175-191.
  • Sargiani, R., Ehri, L., & Maluf, M.R. (in press). Teaching beginners to decode consonant-vowel syllables using grapheme-phoneme subunits facilitates reading and spelling compared to teaching whole syllable decoding. Reading Research Quarterly.
  • Shmidman, A. & Ehri, L. (2010). Embedded picture mnemonics to learn letters. Scientific Studies of Reading, 14, 159-182.

Other works mentioned by Dr. Ehri

Linnea’s Picks

]]> Tue, 06 Jul 2021 05:00:00 -0400 The Reading League The Reading League 5481 When we think of those people who have made significant contributions to teaching and learning, and specifically to our understanding of how children learn to read, Dr. Linnea Ehri is at the top of the list. From her work with the National Reading Panel to her contributions toward our understanding of young children’s language development, she continues to provide clarity on some of the most important and relevant issues in reading instruction. In this podcast episode, Dr. Ehri talks about the movement of our profession from whole language theories to evidence-based practices, fighting the “bark at words” characterization of phonics instruction, and the stories behind the National Reading Panel report. She also sheds light on accessing words “by sight,” and the importance of making the connections between phonemes and graphemes that form the “glue” which stores words in memory. Finally, she shares why she insists on “phases” rather than “stages” in her seminal work. Dr. Ehri’s best advice for novice researchers is to be both persistent and collaborative; these qualities characterize her decades-long work in this field. All of us engaged in this work will benefit from hearing from Dr. Ehri, whose contributions continue to impact educators worldwide. When we think of those people who have made significant contributions to teaching and learning, and specifically to our understanding of how children learn to read, Dr. Linnea Ehri is at the top of the list. From her work with the National Reading Panel t Literacy, Reading, Education, Teaching, Teachers, Policy, Science of Reading No Interview w/ Maryanne Wolf 10 10 Interview w/ Maryanne Wolf full b18703ba-055f-4aca-9969-bba98cc7c9dc https://share.transistor.fm/s/34bd493a Dr. Maryanne Wolf is a scholar, a teacher, and an advocate for children and literacy around the world. She is the Director of the newly created Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice at the UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies. Previously she was the John DiBiaggio Professor of Citizenship and Public Service and Director of the Center for Reading and Language Research in the Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development at Tufts University. She is the author of Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain (2007), Dyslexia, Fluency, and the Brain (2001), Tales of Literacy for the 21st Century (2016), and Reader Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World (2018). 


Dr. Wolf’s many awards include the highest honors from International Dyslexia Association and The Dyslexia Foundation; Distinguished Researcher of the Year for Learning Disabilities in Australia;   Distinguished Teacher of the Year from the American Psychological Association; and the Christopher Columbus Award for Intellectual Innovation for co-founding  Curious Learning: A Global Literacy Initiative, with deployments in Africa, India, Australia, and rural United States.  She is also the recipient of The Reading League’s Benita Blachman award in honor of her extraordinary contributions to literacy. Finally, Maryanne has been elected to the Vatican Academy of Science. 


Today’s sponsor is Reading Horizons. Reading Horizons programs deliver proven supplemental core literacy instruction, based on the science of reading. The Reading Horizons podcast, named Podclassed, takes a deep dive into learning-focused topics such as structured literacy, social-emotional learning, dyslexia, and ed-tech with host, Laura Axtell—an educator and trainer with over 26 years of experience in instructional and administrative settings.  Visit readinghorizons.com/podcast to learn more.

Further Reading and Exploration

Maryanne’s Picks

]]> Dr. Maryanne Wolf is a scholar, a teacher, and an advocate for children and literacy around the world. She is the Director of the newly created Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice at the UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies. Previously she was the John DiBiaggio Professor of Citizenship and Public Service and Director of the Center for Reading and Language Research in the Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development at Tufts University. She is the author of Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain (2007), Dyslexia, Fluency, and the Brain (2001), Tales of Literacy for the 21st Century (2016), and Reader Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World (2018). 


Dr. Wolf’s many awards include the highest honors from International Dyslexia Association and The Dyslexia Foundation; Distinguished Researcher of the Year for Learning Disabilities in Australia;   Distinguished Teacher of the Year from the American Psychological Association; and the Christopher Columbus Award for Intellectual Innovation for co-founding  Curious Learning: A Global Literacy Initiative, with deployments in Africa, India, Australia, and rural United States.  She is also the recipient of The Reading League’s Benita Blachman award in honor of her extraordinary contributions to literacy. Finally, Maryanne has been elected to the Vatican Academy of Science. 


Today’s sponsor is Reading Horizons. Reading Horizons programs deliver proven supplemental core literacy instruction, based on the science of reading. The Reading Horizons podcast, named Podclassed, takes a deep dive into learning-focused topics such as structured literacy, social-emotional learning, dyslexia, and ed-tech with host, Laura Axtell—an educator and trainer with over 26 years of experience in instructional and administrative settings.  Visit readinghorizons.com/podcast to learn more.

Further Reading and Exploration

Maryanne’s Picks

]]> Tue, 01 Jun 2021 05:00:00 -0400 The Reading League The Reading League 5896 Dr. Maryanne Wolf is one of the most recognized and respected international figures in the field of literacy. She is an author, researcher, and educator whose work has had a profound impact on our understanding of the reading brain, dyslexia, and effective reading instruction. She is a passionate advocate for teachers and children, and believes that literacy is a basic human right across every zip code. This conversation is rich with big ideas on many topics, including multiple literacies, the importance of the printed page, and the miracle of communication. Maryanne underscores and exemplifies the richness of living a literate life, and the joy of curiosity and learning. Dr. Maryanne Wolf is one of the most recognized and respected international figures in the field of literacy. She is an author, researcher, and educator whose work has had a profound impact on our understanding of the reading brain, dyslexia, and effectiv Literacy, Reading, Education, Teaching, Teachers, Policy, Science of Reading No Interview w/ Parker Palmer (Part 2) 9 9 Interview w/ Parker Palmer (Part 2) full f6cd08bd-a5ed-427a-9341-7f911b018dd3 https://share.transistor.fm/s/77b79332 Parker J. Palmer is a writer, speaker, activist, and founder and Senior Partner Emeritus of the Center for Courage & Renewal. His wisdom has reached millions worldwide through his ten books, including the best-selling Healing the Heart of Democracy, Let Your Life Speak, The Courage to Teach, and A Hidden Wholeness. His latest bestseller is On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity and Getting Old (2018). Parker holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California at Berkeley, and 13 honorary doctorates. The Leadership Project, a national survey of 10,000 educators, named him one of the 30 “most influential senior leaders” in higher education and one of the 10 key “agenda-setters” of the past decade. In 2010, Palmer was given the William Rainey Harper Award whose previous recipients include Margaret Mead, Elie Wiesel, and Paolo Freire.  For twenty years, the Accrediting Commission for Graduate Medical Education has given annual Parker J. Palmer “Courage to Teach” and “Courage to Lead” Awards to directors of exemplary medical residency programs. Living the Questions: Essays Inspired by the Work and Life of Parker J. Palmer, was published in 2005. A member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker), Dr. Palmer and his wife, Sharon L. Palmer, live in Madison, Wisconsin.


This episode is brought to you by The Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE). The Institute for Multi-Sensory Education has been helping teachers make that happen for 25 years by offering extensive training and virtual teaching resources. Learn how to apply IMSE’s IDA-Accredited Orton-Gillingham approach based on the science of reading by signing up for their virtual trainings this spring and summer.  Visit IMSE.com to learn more and register for their courses.


Further Reading and Exploration

]]> Parker J. Palmer is a writer, speaker, activist, and founder and Senior Partner Emeritus of the Center for Courage & Renewal. His wisdom has reached millions worldwide through his ten books, including the best-selling Healing the Heart of Democracy, Let Your Life Speak, The Courage to Teach, and A Hidden Wholeness. His latest bestseller is On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity and Getting Old (2018). Parker holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California at Berkeley, and 13 honorary doctorates. The Leadership Project, a national survey of 10,000 educators, named him one of the 30 “most influential senior leaders” in higher education and one of the 10 key “agenda-setters” of the past decade. In 2010, Palmer was given the William Rainey Harper Award whose previous recipients include Margaret Mead, Elie Wiesel, and Paolo Freire.  For twenty years, the Accrediting Commission for Graduate Medical Education has given annual Parker J. Palmer “Courage to Teach” and “Courage to Lead” Awards to directors of exemplary medical residency programs. Living the Questions: Essays Inspired by the Work and Life of Parker J. Palmer, was published in 2005. A member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker), Dr. Palmer and his wife, Sharon L. Palmer, live in Madison, Wisconsin.


This episode is brought to you by The Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE). The Institute for Multi-Sensory Education has been helping teachers make that happen for 25 years by offering extensive training and virtual teaching resources. Learn how to apply IMSE’s IDA-Accredited Orton-Gillingham approach based on the science of reading by signing up for their virtual trainings this spring and summer.  Visit IMSE.com to learn more and register for their courses.


Further Reading and Exploration

]]> Wed, 05 May 2021 11:46:04 -0400 The Reading League The Reading League 3518 Parker Palmer is a world-renowned author, educator, and activist who focuses on issues in education, community, leadership, and social change. This episode touches on a wide range of relevant topics, including the importance of healthy dialogue, listening well, why community is critical, and how we can cultivate relentless gratitude. Parker infuses the discussion with his abundant wisdom and humor, and makes clear his immense respect and compassion toward educators. Because of the breadth and depth of this conversation, we’ve divided it into two parts. Give yourself the gift of time, to savor the words and presence of Parker Palmer. Parker Palmer is a world-renowned author, educator, and activist who focuses on issues in education, community, leadership, and social change. This episode touches on a wide range of relevant topics, including the importance of healthy dialogue, listenin Literacy, Reading, Education, Teaching, Teachers, Policy, Science of Reading No Interview w/ Parker Palmer (Part 1) 8 8 Interview w/ Parker Palmer (Part 1) full ce73e2e7-d60c-4a20-b8a8-c35c2cef230a https://share.transistor.fm/s/56c64e79 Parker J. Palmer is a writer, speaker, activist, and founder and Senior Partner Emeritus of the Center for Courage & Renewal. His wisdom has reached millions worldwide through his ten books, including the best-selling Healing the Heart of Democracy, Let Your Life Speak, The Courage to Teach, and A Hidden Wholeness. His latest bestseller is On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity and Getting Old (2018). Parker holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California at Berkeley, and 13 honorary doctorates. The Leadership Project, a national survey of 10,000 educators, named him one of the 30 “most influential senior leaders” in higher education and one of the 10 key “agenda-setters” of the past decade. In 2010, Palmer was given the William Rainey Harper Award whose previous recipients include Margaret Mead, Elie Wiesel, and Paolo Freire.  For twenty years, the Accrediting Commission for Graduate Medical Education has given annual Parker J. Palmer “Courage to Teach” and “Courage to Lead” Awards to directors of exemplary medical residency programs. Living the Questions: Essays Inspired by the Work and Life of Parker J. Palmer, was published in 2005. A member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker), Dr. Palmer and his wife, Sharon L. Palmer, live in Madison, Wisconsin.


This episode is brought to you by The Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE). The Institute for Multi-Sensory Education has been helping teachers make that happen for 25 years by offering extensive training and virtual teaching resources. Learn how to apply IMSE’s IDA-Accredited Orton-Gillingham approach based on the science of reading by signing up for their virtual trainings this spring and summer.  Visit IMSE.com to learn more and register for their courses.


Further Reading and Exploration

]]> Parker J. Palmer is a writer, speaker, activist, and founder and Senior Partner Emeritus of the Center for Courage & Renewal. His wisdom has reached millions worldwide through his ten books, including the best-selling Healing the Heart of Democracy, Let Your Life Speak, The Courage to Teach, and A Hidden Wholeness. His latest bestseller is On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity and Getting Old (2018). Parker holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California at Berkeley, and 13 honorary doctorates. The Leadership Project, a national survey of 10,000 educators, named him one of the 30 “most influential senior leaders” in higher education and one of the 10 key “agenda-setters” of the past decade. In 2010, Palmer was given the William Rainey Harper Award whose previous recipients include Margaret Mead, Elie Wiesel, and Paolo Freire.  For twenty years, the Accrediting Commission for Graduate Medical Education has given annual Parker J. Palmer “Courage to Teach” and “Courage to Lead” Awards to directors of exemplary medical residency programs. Living the Questions: Essays Inspired by the Work and Life of Parker J. Palmer, was published in 2005. A member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker), Dr. Palmer and his wife, Sharon L. Palmer, live in Madison, Wisconsin.


This episode is brought to you by The Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE). The Institute for Multi-Sensory Education has been helping teachers make that happen for 25 years by offering extensive training and virtual teaching resources. Learn how to apply IMSE’s IDA-Accredited Orton-Gillingham approach based on the science of reading by signing up for their virtual trainings this spring and summer.  Visit IMSE.com to learn more and register for their courses.


Further Reading and Exploration

]]> Tue, 04 May 2021 06:00:00 -0400 The Reading League The Reading League 3321 Parker Palmer is a world-renowned author, educator, and activist who focuses on issues in education, community, leadership, and social change. This episode touches on a wide range of relevant topics, including the importance of healthy dialogue, listening well, why community is critical, and how we can cultivate relentless gratitude. Parker infuses the discussion with his abundant wisdom and humor, and makes clear his immense respect and compassion toward educators. Because of the breadth and depth of this conversation, we’ve divided it into two parts. Give yourself the gift of time, to savor the words and presence of Parker Palmer. Parker Palmer is a world-renowned author, educator, and activist who focuses on issues in education, community, leadership, and social change. This episode touches on a wide range of relevant topics, including the importance of healthy dialogue, listenin Literacy, Reading, Education, Teaching, Teachers, Policy, Science of Reading No Interview w/ Anita Archer 7 7 Interview w/ Anita Archer full 100a31e8-660e-4a26-bdb9-8d5cb2473434 https://share.transistor.fm/s/abb50029 Anita L. Archer, PhD, is an educational consultant to school districts on explicit instruction, the design and delivery of instruction, behavior management, and literacy instruction. She has taught elementary and middle school students and is the recipient of 10 awards honoring her excellence in teaching and contributions to the field of education. Dr. Archer has served on the faculties of San Diego State University, the University of Washington in Seattle, and the University of Oregon in Eugene. She is nationally known for her professional development activities, having presented in every state over the course of her 50-year career. Dr. Archer is coauthor, with Dr. Mary Gleason, of numerous curriculum materials addressing reading, writing, and study skills.  Raised in the Pacific Northwest, Anita’s primary home is in Portland, Oregon where she enjoys entertaining friends, attending symphony and opera performances, and practicing her cello.

Today’s podcast is brought to you by Mount St. Joseph University. Mount St. Joseph University offers a number of programs for educators interested in graduate or doctoral work focused on the Science of Reading. To learn more visit msj.edu/reading-science.

Further Reading and Exploration

Anita’s Picks


]]> Anita L. Archer, PhD, is an educational consultant to school districts on explicit instruction, the design and delivery of instruction, behavior management, and literacy instruction. She has taught elementary and middle school students and is the recipient of 10 awards honoring her excellence in teaching and contributions to the field of education. Dr. Archer has served on the faculties of San Diego State University, the University of Washington in Seattle, and the University of Oregon in Eugene. She is nationally known for her professional development activities, having presented in every state over the course of her 50-year career. Dr. Archer is coauthor, with Dr. Mary Gleason, of numerous curriculum materials addressing reading, writing, and study skills.  Raised in the Pacific Northwest, Anita’s primary home is in Portland, Oregon where she enjoys entertaining friends, attending symphony and opera performances, and practicing her cello.

Today’s podcast is brought to you by Mount St. Joseph University. Mount St. Joseph University offers a number of programs for educators interested in graduate or doctoral work focused on the Science of Reading. To learn more visit msj.edu/reading-science.

Further Reading and Exploration

Anita’s Picks


]]> Tue, 06 Apr 2021 06:00:00 -0400 The Reading League The Reading League 4888 When asked to describe Anita Archer, people use the words talented, beloved, pragmatic, and delightful. Anita and her work resonate deeply with teachers, and this is no surprise. Throughout her 50+ years in education Anita considers herself first and foremost a teacher. Her contributions to the field are prolific; she is well-known in particular for enriching our understanding of explicit instruction. “How well you teach= how well they learn” and “Teach with passion. Manage with compassion” are just two of the many memorable truths that Anita shares during this lively and lovely discussion. When asked to describe Anita Archer, people use the words talented, beloved, pragmatic, and delightful. Anita and her work resonate deeply with teachers, and this is no surprise. Throughout her 50+ years in education Anita considers herself first and fore Literacy, Reading, Education, Teaching, Teachers, Policy, Science of Reading No Interview w/ Jessica Pasik 6 6 Interview w/ Jessica Pasik full 5c58262f-6a0a-46d7-87ce-81afaef26bdb https://share.transistor.fm/s/bcacaad8 Jessica Pasik is a licensed New York state reading specialist in the Fulton City School District. She received her Masters of Science in Literacy Education from SUNY Oswego and is currently an Adjunct Professor of Literacy there. She previously received her Bachelor of Science degree in Childhood Education from the SUNY Geneseo and is certified in elementary and special education grades K-6. She formerly taught special education at Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES and the Fulton City School District. She is also a private tutor and is a passionate advocate for evidence-based practices in reading instruction. Jessica is currently a TRL Board Member at Large.

This podcast is brought to you by Mount St. Joseph University. Mount St. Joseph University offers a number of programs for educators interested in graduate or doctoral work focused on the Science of Reading. To learn more visit msj.edu/reading-science

Further Reading and Exploration

Jessica’s Picks

]]> Jessica Pasik is a licensed New York state reading specialist in the Fulton City School District. She received her Masters of Science in Literacy Education from SUNY Oswego and is currently an Adjunct Professor of Literacy there. She previously received her Bachelor of Science degree in Childhood Education from the SUNY Geneseo and is certified in elementary and special education grades K-6. She formerly taught special education at Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES and the Fulton City School District. She is also a private tutor and is a passionate advocate for evidence-based practices in reading instruction. Jessica is currently a TRL Board Member at Large.

This podcast is brought to you by Mount St. Joseph University. Mount St. Joseph University offers a number of programs for educators interested in graduate or doctoral work focused on the Science of Reading. To learn more visit msj.edu/reading-science

Further Reading and Exploration

Jessica’s Picks

]]> Tue, 02 Mar 2021 10:39:27 -0500 The Reading League The Reading League 2892 Like many teachers, Jessica Pasik came into the profession for deeply personal reasons and to answer a calling. Also like many teachers, her initial training did not prepare her in evidence-aligned practices. Jessica talks about her “aha” moment, how she saw results with her students, and how it changed her practice forever. From her boots-on-the-ground perspective, Jessica addresses common misconceptions around the science of reading, along with the community and culture necessary to nurture and sustain long-term change. This lively discussion will resonate with any of us who have traveled the journey to the science of reading. Jessica’s commitment and passion will inspire you, as she reinforces that as educators we always strive to learn, grow, and move forward. “These are OUR kids, we all own them, we are all responsible for instructing them.” –Jessica Pasik Like many teachers, Jessica Pasik came into the profession for deeply personal reasons and to answer a calling. Also like many teachers, her initial training did not prepare her in evidence-aligned practices. Jessica talks about her “aha” moment, how she Literacy, Reading, Education, Teaching, Teachers, Policy, Science of Reading No Interview w/ Maria Murray & Jorene Cook 5 5 Interview w/ Maria Murray & Jorene Cook full 95a2923d-a000-4556-9ea3-b0c6f8f66aac https://share.transistor.fm/s/e27376de Prior to founding The Reading League, Dr. Maria Murray was an associate professor at the State University of New York at Oswego, where she taught courses related to literacy assessment and intervention.  She received her Ph.D. in Reading Education from Syracuse University, where she served as project coordinator for Dr. Benita Blachman’s numerous federally-funded early reading intervention grants. Maria is passionate regarding the prevention and remediation of reading difficulty, and consistently strives to increase educator knowledge and the connections between research and practice. On a personal note, Maria is happily married to Danny and has  two children, Katie and Mark, and is also mom to her dogs Lady and Tikani. 


Dr. Jorene Cook is an Early Literacy Coach in the Syracuse City School District and part-time Instructor at Utica College. She has worked in the public school system for 23 years, her earlier years working as an elementary school teacher.  She is also a national LETRS trainer. Her doctoral research investigated how schools and school systems in Central New York support students with dyslexia and their families. Her interest in advocacy, systems thinking, and policy work led her to become a Partner in Policymaking in 2015. Jorene is the president of the Board of The Reading League. On a personal note, Dr. Cook is happily married to her best friend. They have two teens-Evan (16) and Brody (14). 


This podcast is brought to you by Great Minds. We encourage you to take a moment and view their website at https://gm.greatminds.org/trl2021podcast  

Further Reading and Exploration

Maria’s and Jorene’s Picks

  • To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
  • Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
  • Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
  • Letter to My Son by Ta-Nehisi Coates
  • Make it Stick; The Science of Successful Learning by Henry Roediger III, Mark A. McDaniel, and Peter C. Brown
  • The Plant Paradox by Steven R. Gundry
  • Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta L. Hammond
]]> Prior to founding The Reading League, Dr. Maria Murray was an associate professor at the State University of New York at Oswego, where she taught courses related to literacy assessment and intervention.  She received her Ph.D. in Reading Education from Syracuse University, where she served as project coordinator for Dr. Benita Blachman’s numerous federally-funded early reading intervention grants. Maria is passionate regarding the prevention and remediation of reading difficulty, and consistently strives to increase educator knowledge and the connections between research and practice. On a personal note, Maria is happily married to Danny and has  two children, Katie and Mark, and is also mom to her dogs Lady and Tikani. 


Dr. Jorene Cook is an Early Literacy Coach in the Syracuse City School District and part-time Instructor at Utica College. She has worked in the public school system for 23 years, her earlier years working as an elementary school teacher.  She is also a national LETRS trainer. Her doctoral research investigated how schools and school systems in Central New York support students with dyslexia and their families. Her interest in advocacy, systems thinking, and policy work led her to become a Partner in Policymaking in 2015. Jorene is the president of the Board of The Reading League. On a personal note, Dr. Cook is happily married to her best friend. They have two teens-Evan (16) and Brody (14). 


This podcast is brought to you by Great Minds. We encourage you to take a moment and view their website at https://gm.greatminds.org/trl2021podcast  

Further Reading and Exploration

Maria’s and Jorene’s Picks

  • To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
  • Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
  • Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
  • Letter to My Son by Ta-Nehisi Coates
  • Make it Stick; The Science of Successful Learning by Henry Roediger III, Mark A. McDaniel, and Peter C. Brown
  • The Plant Paradox by Steven R. Gundry
  • Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta L. Hammond
]]> Tue, 02 Feb 2021 00:01:00 -0500 The Reading League The Reading League 3862 Dr. Maria Murray and Dr. Jorene Cook are founding members of The Reading League. In this episode, they offer insights into the journey many of us have taken in teaching and parenting, coming from a place of trying to solve a problem to gaining new knowledge and practice. We’ll talk about moving from frustration to advocacy, from curiosity to community, and ultimately to transforming reading instruction through the Science of Reading. You’ll learn about how The Reading League was formed and some of the incredible events and people that have allowed it to grow from a grassroots group to a national movement. Dr. Maria Murray and Dr. Jorene Cook are founding members of The Reading League. In this episode, they offer insights into the journey many of us have taken in teaching and parenting, coming from a place of trying to solve a problem to gaining new knowled Literacy, Reading, Education, Teaching, Teachers, Policy, Science of Reading No Interview w/ Tim Shanahan 4 4 Interview w/ Tim Shanahan full 8aef67b9-3f5e-4cfe-9f7a-eb1eea9d1d8a https://share.transistor.fm/s/258bc479 Timothy Shanahan is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago where he was Founding Director of the UIC Center for Literacy. Previously, he was director of reading for the Chicago Public Schools. He is author/editor of more than 200 publications on literacy education. His research emphasizes the connections between reading and writing, literacy in the disciplines, and improvement of reading achievement.


Tim is past president of the International Literacy Association. He served as a member of the Advisory Board of the National Institute for Literacy under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and he helped lead the National Reading Panel, convened at the request of Congress to evaluate research on the teaching reading, a major influence on reading education. He chaired two other federal research review panels: The National Literacy Panel for Language Minority Children and Youth, and the National Early Literacy Panel, and helped write the Common Core State Standards. He was inducted to the Reading Hall of Fame in 2007, and is a former first-grade teacher.


In this conversation, Tim talks about his early influences as a teacher, his work in Chicago Public Schools and in the development of the University of Illinois at Chicago Center for Literacy, the groundbreaking impact of the National Reading Panel, and what he sees as work left to do in our profession. 


This podcast is brought to you by Great Minds. We encourage you to take a moment and view their website at https://gm.greatminds.org/trl2021podcast 

Further Reading and Exploration

Tim’s Picks

]]> Timothy Shanahan is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago where he was Founding Director of the UIC Center for Literacy. Previously, he was director of reading for the Chicago Public Schools. He is author/editor of more than 200 publications on literacy education. His research emphasizes the connections between reading and writing, literacy in the disciplines, and improvement of reading achievement.


Tim is past president of the International Literacy Association. He served as a member of the Advisory Board of the National Institute for Literacy under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and he helped lead the National Reading Panel, convened at the request of Congress to evaluate research on the teaching reading, a major influence on reading education. He chaired two other federal research review panels: The National Literacy Panel for Language Minority Children and Youth, and the National Early Literacy Panel, and helped write the Common Core State Standards. He was inducted to the Reading Hall of Fame in 2007, and is a former first-grade teacher.


In this conversation, Tim talks about his early influences as a teacher, his work in Chicago Public Schools and in the development of the University of Illinois at Chicago Center for Literacy, the groundbreaking impact of the National Reading Panel, and what he sees as work left to do in our profession. 


This podcast is brought to you by Great Minds. We encourage you to take a moment and view their website at https://gm.greatminds.org/trl2021podcast 

Further Reading and Exploration

Tim’s Picks

]]> Tue, 05 Jan 2021 11:11:47 -0500 The Reading League The Reading League 3859 Dr. Tim Shanahan’s distinguished career has led him from teaching first grade to leading groundbreaking research panels. With over 200 publications on literacy, his work emphasizes how to improve reading achievement based on the research. He is considered one of the premier literacy educators, is widely followed through his blog and on social media, and is a sought-after speaker. In this episode, Tim reflects on his legacy, his ongoing work, and what he sees as our greatest challenges in the teaching profession. Dr. Tim Shanahan’s distinguished career has led him from teaching first grade to leading groundbreaking research panels. With over 200 publications on literacy, his work emphasizes how to improve reading achievement based on the research. He is considered Literacy, Reading, Education, Teaching, Teachers, Policy, Science of Reading No Interview w/ Emily Hanford 3 3 Interview w/ Emily Hanford full 4934f7ff-2fa5-4bbc-b71b-054c757d2c13 https://share.transistor.fm/s/1a9a1fef Emily Hanford is a senior education correspondent at APM Reports, part of American Public Media. She has been working in public media for more than two decades as a reporter, producer, editor, news director, and program host. She has written and produced content for many news outlets, including NPR, The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Washington Monthly, and PBS NewsHour. Her work has won numerous honors, including a DuPont-Columbia Award, a Casey Medal, and awards from Education Writer’s Association and The Associated Press. In 2017, Emily won the Excellence in Media Reporting on Education Research Award from the American Educational Research Association. She is a frequent speaker and moderator and is the host of the Ways & Means podcast.                                   


In 2016 Emily reported on the high numbers of college students not academically ready for college. This led her on a quest to understand how kids learn to read in the first place; from there, her research led her to the problems of unaddressed dyslexia. That, she says, was the catalyst for digging deep on how reading is being taught in schools, and why that system is failing so many children. Her series of audio documentaries on this topic has had a profound impact nationally, elevating the conversation around reading instruction and how this is such an important issue of equity. 

In this conversation, Emily talks about her roots as a reporter, how she ended up focusing on reading, and what she sees as the main barriers to getting reading right for all children.   


Links to APM Reports

Emily's Picks

]]> Emily Hanford is a senior education correspondent at APM Reports, part of American Public Media. She has been working in public media for more than two decades as a reporter, producer, editor, news director, and program host. She has written and produced content for many news outlets, including NPR, The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Washington Monthly, and PBS NewsHour. Her work has won numerous honors, including a DuPont-Columbia Award, a Casey Medal, and awards from Education Writer’s Association and The Associated Press. In 2017, Emily won the Excellence in Media Reporting on Education Research Award from the American Educational Research Association. She is a frequent speaker and moderator and is the host of the Ways & Means podcast.                                   


In 2016 Emily reported on the high numbers of college students not academically ready for college. This led her on a quest to understand how kids learn to read in the first place; from there, her research led her to the problems of unaddressed dyslexia. That, she says, was the catalyst for digging deep on how reading is being taught in schools, and why that system is failing so many children. Her series of audio documentaries on this topic has had a profound impact nationally, elevating the conversation around reading instruction and how this is such an important issue of equity. 

In this conversation, Emily talks about her roots as a reporter, how she ended up focusing on reading, and what she sees as the main barriers to getting reading right for all children.   


Links to APM Reports

Emily's Picks

]]> Mon, 30 Nov 2020 22:00:11 -0500 The Reading League The Reading League 3771 Over the past few years, APM Reports correspondent Emily Hanford has been researching, writing and broadcasting about reading instruction in the United States, and has elevated the conversation to the national sphere. In this episode, Emily talks about how her educational reporting led her to discover how the system is failing so many children, why her work is striking such a deep chord, and why this is an urgent social justice issue. Over the past few years, APM Reports correspondent Emily Hanford has been researching, writing and broadcasting about reading instruction in the United States, and has elevated the conversation to the national sphere. In this episode, Emily talks about ho Literacy, Reading, Education, Teaching, Teachers, Policy, Science of Reading No Interview w/ Louisa Moats 1 1 Interview w/ Louisa Moats full 4341ee7d-c382-4b86-98e7-fb5bd6ae7753 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a1189b95 Dr. Moats has been a teacher, psychologist, researcher, graduate school faculty member, and author of many influential scientific journal articles, books, and policy papers on the topics of reading, spelling, language, and teacher preparation. After her first job as a neuropsychology technician, she became a teacher of students with learning and reading difficulties, earning her Master's degree at Peabody College of Vanderbilt. Later, after realizing how little she understood about teaching, she earned a doctorate in Reading and Human Development from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Dr. Moats spent the next fifteen years in private practice as a licensed psychologist in Vermont, specializing in evaluation and consultation with individuals of all ages and walks of life who experienced reading, writing, and language difficulties. At that time, she trained psychology interns in the Dartmouth Medical School Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Moats spent one year as the resident expert for the California Reading Initiative; four years as site director of the NICHD Early Interventions Project in Washington, DC; and ten years as research advisor and consultant with Sopris Learning.

 
Dr. Moats was a contributing writer to the Common Core State Standards. In addition to the LETRS professional development series, Dr. Moats’ books include Speech to Print: Language Essentials for Teachers; Spelling: Development, Disability, and Instruction; Straight Talk About Reading (with Susan Hall), and Basic Facts about Dyslexia. 


Dr. Louisa Moats is truly one of the trailblazers in the field of education science, but did you know her humble beginnings included a degree in music?  Louisa came into the profession in a fascinating way, at a time when the term “dyslexia” was considered quackery. Although she earned a graduate degree as one of the first “learning disabilities” teachers in the United States, she states that she really didn’t know how to teach. This early realization has led her to focus her work on better preparing teachers to meet the demands of the classroom and to advocate for research-based instruction for all children.


In this frank and honest discussion, you’ll hear Dr. Moats’s reflections on her background and those people who most influenced her work. You’ll hear her thoughts about the state of where we are in literacy achievement in this country, the barriers to advancing the evidence base into practice, and directions we can take to get it right.


Further Reading and Exploration

Articles

Videos

Other

Louisa’s Picks

]]> Dr. Moats has been a teacher, psychologist, researcher, graduate school faculty member, and author of many influential scientific journal articles, books, and policy papers on the topics of reading, spelling, language, and teacher preparation. After her first job as a neuropsychology technician, she became a teacher of students with learning and reading difficulties, earning her Master's degree at Peabody College of Vanderbilt. Later, after realizing how little she understood about teaching, she earned a doctorate in Reading and Human Development from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Dr. Moats spent the next fifteen years in private practice as a licensed psychologist in Vermont, specializing in evaluation and consultation with individuals of all ages and walks of life who experienced reading, writing, and language difficulties. At that time, she trained psychology interns in the Dartmouth Medical School Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Moats spent one year as the resident expert for the California Reading Initiative; four years as site director of the NICHD Early Interventions Project in Washington, DC; and ten years as research advisor and consultant with Sopris Learning.

 
Dr. Moats was a contributing writer to the Common Core State Standards. In addition to the LETRS professional development series, Dr. Moats’ books include Speech to Print: Language Essentials for Teachers; Spelling: Development, Disability, and Instruction; Straight Talk About Reading (with Susan Hall), and Basic Facts about Dyslexia. 


Dr. Louisa Moats is truly one of the trailblazers in the field of education science, but did you know her humble beginnings included a degree in music?  Louisa came into the profession in a fascinating way, at a time when the term “dyslexia” was considered quackery. Although she earned a graduate degree as one of the first “learning disabilities” teachers in the United States, she states that she really didn’t know how to teach. This early realization has led her to focus her work on better preparing teachers to meet the demands of the classroom and to advocate for research-based instruction for all children.


In this frank and honest discussion, you’ll hear Dr. Moats’s reflections on her background and those people who most influenced her work. You’ll hear her thoughts about the state of where we are in literacy achievement in this country, the barriers to advancing the evidence base into practice, and directions we can take to get it right.


Further Reading and Exploration

Articles

Videos

Other

Louisa’s Picks

]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2020 18:39:08 -0400 The Reading League The Reading League 3728 Dr. Louisa Moats is a renowned teacher, psychologist, researcher, and author. In this episode, she talks about her beginnings in the field, why there are still barriers to translating evidence to teaching practice, the essential next steps we need to take to ensure all teachers can teach all kids to read, and her greatest hopes for the teachers and children of this country. Dr. Louisa Moats is a renowned teacher, psychologist, researcher, and author. In this episode, she talks about her beginnings in the field, why there are still barriers to translating evidence to teaching practice, the essential next steps we need to ta Literacy, Reading, Education, Teaching, Teachers, Policy, Science of Reading No