In this deeply moving episode, Dr. Danielle “Nell” Thompson shares her powerful journey from a small town in North Dakota to Bush Alaska, all the way to becoming a transformational coach and the founder of the Big Sky Literacy Summit. Together, we explore how language is the foundation of literacy—not just for academic success, but for human connection, dignity, and transformation.

We also dig into the intersection of language and leadership, discussing how deep systems change, intentional leadership, and relationship-driven instruction can move the literacy needle—not just for individual students, but entire school communities.

Key Takeaways:

Why oral language is both a risk factor and a protective factor in literacy development
How early language experiences shape long-term life outcomes
What true transformational leadership looks like in school settings
Powerful tools for screening early oral language & providing intervention
A heartfelt case study from Bush Alaska that will leave you inspired

Resources Mentioned:

Big Sky Literacy Summit 2025: Language is Everything
Book: Speech to Print - Dr. Louisa Moats
Book: Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills - Birsch & Carreker
Book: Unlocking Literacy - Marcia Henry
Hugh Catts: Viewing A Phonological Deficit within a Multifactorial Model of Dyslexia
Book: Meaningful Differences in the Everyday Experiences of Young American Children – Hart & Risley
Book: 30 Million Words: Building a Child’s Brain – Dr. Dana Suskind
The Abecedarian Project – Early childhood longitudinal study
Podcast Episode 19: Oral Language & Reading with Elizabeth Doherty, The Reading SLP
LanguageScreen – Oral language screener by Maggie Snowling & Charles Hulme
Let’s Know! – FREE language curriculum developed by the Language and Reading Research Consortium (available via Ohio State)
NELI (Nuffield Early Language Intervention) – Oral language program (includes the LanguageScreen Assessment)
Story Champs & ECHO – Language intervention tools from the Language Dynamics Group
Book: It’s All About Language - Grigorenko, Shtirov, McArdle
Book: Annual Growth for All Students, Catch-Up Growth for Those Who Are Behind - Fielding, Kerr, & Rosier
Book: MTSS for Reading Improvement - Stephanie Stollar & Sarah Brown

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Connect with Dr. Nell:

Dr. Nell's Website: The Transformative Reading Teacher Group
Big Sky Literacy Summit Website
Email: DrNell@TheTransformativeReadingTeacher.com
LinkedIn: Dr. Danielle “Nell” Thompson
Facebook: Big Sky Literacy Summit
Facebook: The Transformative Reading Teacher Group
Join The Reading League Montana

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37. The Impact of Language and Leadership in Literacy with Dr. Danielle 'Nell' Thompson, The Transformative Reading Teacher Group