Science of Reading: The Podcast

Missy Testerman, the 2024 National Teacher of the Year from Tennessee, shares her extensive experience as an ESL teacher and advocate for families. She emphasizes the power of mentorship and collaboration among educators. Testerman discusses the importance of being flexible in teaching and connecting with communities. She tackles challenges like the 'who knows best' dynamic in education and the necessity of self-care for teachers. Most importantly, she inspires others to embrace new perspectives and prioritize relationship-building with families and students.

Ioulia Kovelman, Ph.D., is a developmental cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Michigan, specializing in literacy development for neurodiverse and multilingual students. She highlights how children's brains adapt during reading and the unique challenges faced by dyslexic learners. Ioulia emphasizes the importance of personalized literacy instruction and how different languages engage various cognitive 'muscles.' Ultimately, she underscores the collaborative relationship between scientists, teachers, and students in advancing literacy education.

In this engaging conversation, Susanne Nobles, Chief Academic Officer at ReadWorks and expert in educational research, discusses the importance of making high-quality texts accessible to all students. She highlights the value of the Article-A-Day program, which enhances students' knowledge and vocabulary while supporting teachers. Nobles emphasizes how children can discern quality in texts and shares insights on creating Spanish-English materials for bilingual learners. She offers thoughtful advice on ensuring text quality to foster a genuine love for reading.

Lori Josephson, a literacy specialist and author of "Calling All Neurons! How Reading and Spelling Happen," explores the fascinating connection between neurons and literacy. She shares her journey in creating an accessible resource about the neuroscience of reading. Lori discusses the importance of involving everyone in a student's literacy journey and offers strategies for helping older elementary students who struggle with foundational skills. This engaging conversation bridges the gap between reading and spelling, emphasizing innovative approaches to literacy education.

Hugh Catts, Ph.D., a professor at Florida State University specializing in language sciences and language disorders, dives into the complexities of comprehension. He argues that comprehension isn't just a reading skill but a multifaceted condition shaped by prior knowledge and intention. With personal ties to dyslexia, he offers insights on the significance of background knowledge and practical strategies to enhance student understanding. Hugh emphasizes the importance of coherent text and the interplay of vocabulary for better comprehension.

Kari Kurto, National Science of Reading Project Director at The Reading League, shares insights from her extensive experience in curriculum evaluation. She discusses the importance of research-based practices in literacy instruction, especially for students with dyslexia. Kurto highlights essential non-negotiables for effective reading programs and the tools available to educators for informed curriculum choices. Her passion for improving literacy outcomes shines through as she advocates for continuous improvement and community collaboration in education.

Join Sue Pimentel, the lead writer of the Common Core State Standards for ELA, as she shares her insights on literacy in education. She breaks down the critical role of text complexity and advocates for knowledge building as essential for equity in learning. Sue questions the effectiveness of leveled readers, noting the importance of returning to research for true comprehension. The conversation emphasizes integrating rigorous content to prepare students for life and highlights the interconnectedness of reading and writing in fostering a richer educational experience.

In the Season 9 premiere of Science of Reading: The Podcast, Susan Lambert speaks with Ray James, Head of School at The Ansley School, about the transformative impact of literacy instruction. The Ansley School, which serves children experiencing homelessness, has made evidence-based literacy instruction a key piece of its efforts to foster profound educational and community change. Ray shares his journey and explores how a focus on literacy provides benefits that extend beyond the classroom to the broader community. This episode underscores the importance of foundational literacy skills and sets the stage for a new season dedicated to a literacy reboot.Show notes:Submit your literacy questions for a chance to win!The Ansley School Instagram): @theansleyschool Ray’s Instagram: @the_rayvolutionWebsite: https://theansleyschool.org/Quotes:"If you don't get reading right in an elementary school, every piece of the school suffers." —Ray James"We’re not just doing school, but educating people. I think a lot of people do school, we’re trying to educate our community holistically."—Ray James"Education isn't just about academics, it's about creating a safe place and providing holistic, evidence-based literacy instruction that catalyzes real change."—Ray JamesEpisode timestamps*01:00 Season nine: Reading reboot02:00 Introduction: Who is Ray James?04:00 Ray James' journey from politics to education06:00 The Boyce L. Ansley School community10:00 Support structures for families13:00 Transforming literacy at The Ansley School20:00 Impact of literacy initiatives29:00 Future goals and vision for The Ansley School40:00 Season nine: Looking ahead*Timestamps are approximate, rounded to nearest minute

In this Science of Reading: The Podcast episode, Susan Lambert speaks with Rebecca Tolson and Lisa Lenhart about their roles at the University of Akron's newly established Center for Structured Literacy. They discuss their personal journeys in literacy education, the large grant received from the Ohio Department of Higher Education, and how the Center aims to prepare pre-service teachers using the Science of Reading and structured literacy. Rebecca and Lisa elaborate on the faculty’s training program, curriculum updates, and the potential community impact. The conversation also touches on the emotional and professional challenges in shifting to evidence-based practices, the history of literacy legislation in Ohio, and the Center's long-term goals—including IDA accreditation and expanding their impact on both pre-service and in-service educators.Show Notes The Reading League: What is the Science of Reading?E-books from the Center for Dyslexia at Middle Tennessee State UniversityOhio’s Dyslexia GuidebookRead Ohio WebsiteInternational Dyslexia Foundation: Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of ReadingQuotes“We're also making sure that our students are prepared in structured literacy, not just to one program, so they're able to understand the structure and adopt it to any program any district is using.” —Lisa Lenhart“The Center for Structured Literacy is about empowering teachers at the onset—bachelor's degree. If districts have to retrain them after they graduate, then we're not doing something right.” —Rebecca Tolson‘The more I learn, the better I'm at my craft and my teaching for my students.” —Rebecca Tolson“It takes the right person leading you and it takes hard conversations of what we believe.” —Lisa LenhartTimestamps*02:00 Introduction: Who is Rebecca Tolson?04:00 Introduction: Who is Lisa Lenhart?05:00 Overview: University of Akron Center for Structured Literacy11:00 Overhauling an undergraduate program15:00 Origin Story: Center for Structured Literacy20:00 A Passion for the Science of Reading23:00 Intersecting goals: Center for Structured Literacy and the state of Ohio27:00 The importance of training teachers well the first time33:00 Training teachers to encounter schools with a variety of approaches to literacy36:00 Long-term goals for the center39:00 How to get more educators prepared to teach with evidence-based practices41:00 The importance of having hard conversations*Timestamps are approximate, rounded to nearest minute

Check out Amplify’s new podcast, Beyond My Years— host and educator Ana Torres seeks out educational insights and hard-won lessons directly from people who have thrived for decades in the classroom: seasoned educators.On this premiere episode, Ana soaks up wisdom from Joyce Abbott, an educator so passionate about her students that she inspired one of them to go on and write the hit show “Abbott Elementary.” Joyce tells all about her experiences working in a Title 1 school and what it means to know the community of Philadelphia. They also discuss how Joyce’s time serving in the military informed her work as an educator, how she transformed a challenging classroom during her first year, how it has felt to witness the success of “Abbott Elementary,” and her driving force: passion. At the end, Ana is joined by Classroom Insider Eric Cross to discuss some actionable teaching tips for bringing Joyce's lessons into your classroom.Show notes:Subscribe to Beyond My Years on AppleFollow Beyond My Years on SpotifyWebsite: Beyond My Years