Alabama Literacy Network's Podcast

As a researcher focused on investigating how to teach students with reading difficulties, Dr. Sharon Vaughn has investigated how we can better help students and families through her work at The Meadows Center. In this podcast, she will discuss reading anxiety, something that many students and parents will instantly recognize. She also discusses how to improve reading for students at the school and classroom level, including a three-pronged approach to improving reading comprehension. 

Join the conversation with Dale Chu as he discusses the status of the Science of Reading in the United States, the history of the reading wars, what works in the current legislation, and how to improve implementation. 

If you work with students who struggle with language or are learning a second language, you know how important oral language is to reading and writing. Unfortunately, we often don't know how to help these students. Dr. Charles Haynes, professor, researcher, and co-author of the book From Talking to Writing, shares his experiences and expertise in helping teachers of students with language-based learning difficulties excel.

Want to improve reading? Engage students in writing. Want to empower teachers to implement what they have learned? Engage them in cycles of learning and doing. Dr. Lana Santoro shares strategies for building reading comprehension and writing skills, as well as how new models of professional learning are changing the way teachers implement new skills.

Developing a love of reading in students is a goal many educators and parents have, but it can be difficult to find the right books to capture children's attention and devotion. Books in a series can be the solution as children fall in love with characters and authors. Learn what book series are grabbing the attention of readers in this interview with Barnes and Noble book gurus Josh Barronton and Caitlin Johnson-Pagano.

Dr. Tonya Perry's work in teacher education has helped prepare thousands of teachers for success in classrooms. Her work with the Red Mountain Writing Project continues to allow teachers to develop their skill in writing instruction. As the incoming vice-president of NCTE, her influence continues to grow. Learn more about how she is writing the next chapter for educators in our latest podcast.

The first step in improving tiered instruction is to provide high-quality Tier 1 (core) instruction, but how do we do this with what we're already asked to teach? Carol Dissen, creator of ECRI (Enhanced Core Reading Instruction) shares the benefits of an enhanced core and how all teachers can incorporate explicit strategies into their instruction, regardless of what program they're using.

As educators, we want to reach every child, but helping students with learning challenges has often been difficult. What if there was a place that was not only transferring the latest research into classrooms, but also leading the research within their school that can help all students? Pat Roberts & Nancy Blair of the AIM Academy and AIM Institute are doing exactly this, and they're willing to share what they've learned with everyone.

How do we help EVERY student, including those with learning differences succeed in all subjects? Find out how one school is leading the way with explicit instruction in all disciplines while also writing a math curriculum specifically for students with learning differences. Our latest podcast featuring Dr. Laura Fiveash, head of school at Spring Valley School in Birmingham, Alabama, will inspire your work to help all students, but especially those with learning differences.

With students from all types of schools struggling to write effectively, Dr. Judith Hochman brought together evidence-based strategies for writing that became known around the world as "The Hochman Method." This work was shared in her book The Writing Revolution, which was co-written with Natalie Wexler. Dr. Hochman continues to show teachers how to use writing as a teaching tool to accelerate learning in all content areas.

Instructional coaches are an incredible tool in improving teacher practice, but how do we support these individuals in their work? Learn how to maximize their impact, create the conditions for success, and revolutionize opportunities for teachers to be coached effectively in this interview with Dr. Lindsay Clare Matsumura. Also learn about her work with literacy instruction and improving students' reading comprehension through dialogic conversations. It's a conversation you don't want to miss!

Working with adolescents can be challenging, but add in the fact that many young people struggle with reading, it can become a battle. Dr. Leigh Hall has spent her career identifying ways to help adolescent readers. Her latest work identifies simple ways to build bridges between these readers, their motivation, and futures where they love to read and read well.

Adopting a new curriculum in the middle of a pandemic was a challenge, but it is already paying off in Aldine, Texas. Learn how literacy leaders Dr. Matt Warford and Dr. Demedia Edwards are learning how to improve teaching and creating leaders as they go. Learn what went well, what they would improve, and the benefits they are already seeing from their implementation of CKLA.

Growing up dyslexic, Harper Howard didn't understand why she struggled in school. Then, the anxiety began. Fast forward a few years, and she has turned these challenges into her platform, Peace of Mind. Her goal is to help all young people learn about mental health issues and remove the stigma of seeking help. Her story will inspire those who are dyslexic, suffer from anxiety, or both. Follow Harper on Instagram at Peace_of_Mind_2021!

Amid a global pandemic, the issue of trauma has emerged like never before. Trauma has always existed in classrooms, but never to the extent that it does now. Learn how we can help trauma-affected students and teachers in this podcast with Erin Silcox of Trauma-Informed Teachers.

The need for intervention with students has never been greater, but we need better and more effective ways to do it. Learn from Dr. Matt Burns how class wide intervention for any subject, but especially reading, changes outcomes for students.

Find out what Santa's helper, Josh Barronton from Barnes & Noble, is putting on his list this year! You will hear about new books, some old favorites, and be inspired to go shopping either for your personal readers or those in your classrooms.

For years, children have been asked to memorize lists of "sight" words, with little or no understanding of the phonics, spelling patterns, or function of those words. Learn what needs to change from Dr. Katie Pace Miles, whose research in this area led her to create Reading Ready, a free intervention program designed to help striving readers. 

Dr. Heidi Beverine-Curry started her teaching career without the knowledge she needed to effectively teach students to read. She started a journey that took her from the classroom to leading professional learning for The Reading League. Find out what she's learned about the role of knowledge building and the courage it takes to both learn and change. 

Dr. Pam Kastner's passion is sharing the love of Science of Reading, and her Wakelets are legendary! As president of The Reading League Pennsylvania and as the State Lead Consultant for Literacy for the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), she has been given an unique opportunity to identify high-quality professional learning and share with teachers. Learn how her own experiences led her to help others in this life-long learning journey!

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month! The president of the Alabama branch of the International Dyslexia Association, Sonya Yates, shares the history, the successes, and what still needs to be done in Alabama.

Research has proven that phonological awareness is critical for learning to read. Struggling with phonological skills is one of the best predictors of poor reading outcomes for students. Learn how Tools 4 Reading founder and literacy leader Dr. Mary Dahlgren has changed the trajectory of children's and teachers' lives through her innovative tools and lifetime of work dedicated to improving reading.

The Reading League is making the Science of Reading accessible to anyone, and in doing so, is improving teaching, learning, and the engagement of stakeholders, including parents. Learn more from President and CEO, Dr. Maria Murray, how The Reading League is changing reading around the world for the better.

If you have wondered why our students struggle with reading, even when they can decode the words on the page, it is likely due to a knowledge gap. This gap has been inadvertently created by a lack of learning in the areas of science, social studies, the arts, and other subject areas. Listen to our podcast with author Natalie Wexler and learn how we can solve not only the reading crisis but also the writing crisis. 

Learn how her son's traumatic experiences in 1st grade prompted Lois Letchford to take his learning into her own hands, become a reading specialist, and advocate for struggling readers everywhere. This inspirational author of the book, Reversed: A Memoir will make you think of struggling readers in a different way. You will also learn more about the struggles many children have with language and how that influences their ability to learn how to read. 

The focus on foundational literacy is incredibly important, but it's not enough to create life-long literacy. Learn about Reading Apprenticeship, a research-proven approach to adolescent and adult literacy, focused on disciplinary literacy, metacognition, and student engagement from Director of Literacy at WestEd, Dr. Linda Friedrich. 

How do we train educators, parents, and community members the skills to improve the trajectory of children's lives through language & brain development? Julie Odom & Collie Wells of the Alabama Partnership for Children discuss initiatives and free resources available, including Feed Me Words, an initiative designed to helps parents and caregivers provide language interaction that builds the brains of children into readers.

Cullman City Primary School was recently awarded the Louisa Moats National Award for Excellence in Implementing the Science of Reading. Learn how this school has changed its reading instruction and how the success that led to this award is changing the lives of students for the better.

In honor of Father's Day, learn how fathers can impact a child's literacy. Listen to an interview with Dr. Khalid White, educator, author, filmmaker, and advocate for fathers, including a discussion regarding the narrative about black fathers. 

Instructional coaches in schools are coaching the most important teams: teachers. Learn how instructional coaching has been an essential part of the improvement in teacher performance & student achievement in Mississippi in this interview with State Literacy Director Kristen Wells-Wynn. 

Learn how and why leadership for literacy requires more than just generic leadership strategies from author & school improvement consultant Pati Montgomery of Schools Cubed, LLC. Her book The Principal's Primer for Raising Reading Achievement is part of LETRS training for Administrators, and her work across the United States has given her expertise in how to improve literacy through systems, structures, and the Science of Reading.

Learn how the science of learning AND the science of reading creates learning environments where students become powerful readers & writers from renowned author Zaretta Hammond.

Learn about the battle over retention in Alabama's Literacy Law, how states are improving outcomes for students through early literacy policies, and how the pandemic is creating challenges and innovation in this interview with Dr. Kymyona Burk of ExcelinEd. 

Learn from one of the country's top experts in educating incarcerated youth how the school-to-prison pipeline can be broken through early literacy. 

Learn how literacy leader Dr. Antonio Fierro has dedicated his life to improving reading for all students. As an English learner, he has a unique perspective on how we help these students. His work training teachers, administrators, and university professors has changed the trajectory of countless students and their reading success.

Learn how the community action and advocacy group The Oakland Reach has mobilized parents to demand the Science of Reading for their children and how they have been very successful teaching children themselves through "The Hub." Lakisha Young is a co-founder and CEO of The Oakland Reach, and their work has been shared across the United States and internationally. 

Interview with Karen Vogelsang: Arise2Read

How do the efforts in K-3 affect workforce development in Alabama? Find out how WestAlabama Works is helping the community through efforts in educating adults and K-12 education in this Interview with Donny Jones.

An Interview with Dr. Susan Hall

Find out how Nashville Propel has trained and motivated powerful parent leaders to advocate for their children's literacy and learning achievement. 

Discussion on ESSER funding

Interview with Vesia Hawkins

Interview with Mr. David Walters, Director of Adult Education for the Alabama Community College System

Interview with Dr. Jared Miracle

This episode is an interview with Dr. Molly Ness, who created the national End Book Deserts campaign and podcast to increase access of books and book culture to underserved populations. 

Interview with Dr. Leigh Hall from the University of Wyoming, talking about adolescent literacy, and why it matters. 

Interview with Dr. Matt Warford & Mrs. Demedia Edwards from Aldine Independent School District discuss the literacy journey of their district and how it led to a conference open to people across the United States. 

In this interview with Dr. Hannah Szatkowski and Dr. Lauren Brannan, professors of reading instruction at the University of South Alabama, they share how the training of pre-service teachers has changed with the Science of Reading and the benefits they are already seeing. 

Interview with Steve Hannum

Learn more about how Bethlehem Unified School District has used literacy as a tool to achieve Social Justice.