S4E23: Faith Borkowsky and Judy Boksner on “What’s Hot” in Literacy
Mar 3, 2025
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Join veteran educator Faith Borkowsky, founder of High Five Literacy, and Judy Boksner, a passionate literacy coach from NYC, as they dive into the hot topics in literacy. They discuss the implications of NAEP test results and the vital need for foundational literacy skills post-pandemic. Explore effective literacy strategies highlighted by district successes, especially in Louisiana. The duo also tackles the role of instructional coaching amid budget constraints and the need to adapt to new technologies in education, including AI.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach to literacy that integrates both phonics and comprehension skills for effective student learning.
Reflecting on NAEP scores, the hosts address the critical need for educator support and adaptation in instructional practices to combat post-pandemic learning loss.
Deep dives
Introduction to Hosts and Their Journey
The episode features hosts Faith Borkowski and Judy Boxner, both seasoned educators with extensive experience in literacy. Faith has a background as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, and literacy coach, having authored books and served as an educational consultant. Judy, after years in the classroom, is now an instructional literacy coach, emphasizing her passion for structured literacy in New York City schools. Their combined experiences enrich the podcast, allowing them to discuss various approaches and insights into current literacy issues.
Flexible Format and Current Literacy Discussions
The podcast adopts a unique format that focuses on current literacy topics without extensive rehearsal, allowing for spontaneous and lively discussions. The hosts prioritize inviting guests based on their relevance to pressing literacy issues rather than their popularity in educational circles. This approach fosters open dialogues, enabling challenging conversations about differing views on literacy practices. The hosts aim to keep it engaging, even incorporating playful elements while ensuring serious discussions about literacy.
Insights from NAEP Scores and Systemic Change
The conversation includes reflections on NAEP scores, highlighting concerns about ongoing learning loss among American students post-pandemic. Judy emphasizes the need for patience in implementing changes in instructional practices, particularly given the long-standing habits within education systems. Faith highlights successful outcomes in Louisiana, where a back-to-basics approach and investment in teacher training have shown positive results. This discussion underscores the importance of addressing foundational skills and supporting educators as key factors in improving literacy outcomes.
Emerging Trends and Open-Mindedness in Education
The episode further explores trending topics in literacy education, such as the importance of phonics, the role of instructional materials, and addressing the needs of English language learners. The hosts encourage listeners to remain open-minded and flexible, advocating for collaboration among differing educational camps rather than divisive attitudes. They stress the significance of integrating both decoding and comprehension skills in literacy instruction to enhance overall student success. The discussion reinforces the idea that effective literacy practices encompass a range of strategies that cater to various learners' needs.
Hi everyone, Zach Groshell here. Avid readers of my website will know that I was recently on a show called The Literacy View, which is also one of the podcasts in my listening rotation. It was with great excitement that I was able to snag hosts Judy and Faith for a very Literacy View episode … Continue reading S4E23: Faith Borkowsky and Judy Boksner on “What’s Hot” in Literacy
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