
Science of Reading: The Podcast
S7 E10: From football to phonics with Malcolm Mitchell
Aug 23, 2023
Former NFL player turned literacy advocate and children's book author, Malcolm Mitchell, shares his journey of learning to love reading and advocating for literacy. He discusses the importance of cultural connection, access to books, and community building. Mitchell emphasizes the value of reading as an empowering tool and highlights the need for students to understand its true 'why' to be motivated. His journey from football to phonics and founding a literacy foundation is an inspiring testimony to overcoming barriers and creating opportunities through reading.
46:44
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Quick takeaways
- Cultural connection and understanding the true 'why' behind reading are essential in motivating students to read.
- Starting with basic fundamentals and gradually building reading skills, along with access to books, is crucial for developing proficient readers.
Deep dives
Malcolm Mitchell's journey from football to literacy advocacy
In this podcast episode, former NFL player Malcolm Mitchell shares his journey from being a Super Bowl-winning wide receiver to becoming an advocate for literacy. Mitchell discusses how he initially struggled with reading and his realization of the importance of literacy. He talks about his experience joining a book club with older white women and the impact they had on him. Mitchell shares how he self-published his first picture book while still in college and later signed a three-book deal. He also discusses the founding of his literacy foundation and the importance of book ownership, cultural connectivity, and providing opportunities for students.
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