The Teachers Talk Shop Podcast

Educator Julie Wright shares tips, tools, and templates you can use to coach at the planning table and bring to life in the classroom. She also discusses co-planning and co-teaching as supports for both teachers and students across the school year. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

Every child deserves to have a teacher who has a thinking partner.  That's because the work we do in schools is too complicated to go at it alone.  Julie Wright shares 3 small moves to kickstart coaching in the fall, or across the school year, that will have big takeaways.  Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

Join educational leaders from Kennett Consolidated School District—Heather Collins, Jennifer Miller, and Brenna Austin—as they share their ongoing journey to achieve literacy proficiency for English Learners. Discover how they're driving meaningful change through a continuous improvement model and innovative curriculum updates. Hear firsthand how they use sustained professional development to empower teachers, inspire growth, and support every learner. This episode is packed with insights on building a lasting impact—don't miss it! Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

Dr. Alicia Thompson, former superintendent of Wichita Public Schools, shares her firsthand experiences navigating the highs and lows of leadership in K-12+ education. From the most urgent challenges facing today's educators to the transformative power of mentorship, sponsorship, and networking, Dr. Thompson offers practical solutions that promote wellness and drive lasting change.  Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com

Join us as we sit down with Nate Hansford, educator and author, to talk about English learners and what we know from meta-analysis research and the Science of Reading. Nate shares valuable insights on important topics including supporting English learners in upper grades, enhancing motivation, providing effective feedback, and leveraging technology. Tune in to discover evidence-based techniques that you can implement in your classroom tomorrow. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com

Washington state educators, founders of Read Washington, and co-authors of a chapter in the book, Climbing the Ladder of Reading & Writing, Amy Fleisher and Julie Bedell join the Teacher's Talk Shop podcast to talk about creating pathways for stronger home-school connections. In this episode, Fleisher and Bedell draw from research to offer first-hand recommendations for how teachers can foster meaningful home-school connections and create a welcoming school culture that values the partnership between educators and families. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com

Mike Poore, former superintendent of the Little Rock Public Schools, sits down with Jennifer Nigh to discuss how students win, win, win when community members and organizations are involved in school and district literacy initiatives. In this episode, Poore talks about three initiatives that support the art and science of literacy, while also creating a culture of literacy across the city. Poore offers practical advice for any district wanting to implement these initiatives. Be ready to be inspired and make change beyond the four walls of a classroom. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com  

Expert educator, experienced administrator, and advocate for equitable learning opportunities, Megan Lorio delves into the vital role of family engagement. Drawing from her work with the Family Engagement Lab, Lorio shares high impact practices that help to cultivate trusting and authentic relationships, ultimately bridging the information gap to ensure all students achieve academic success. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com

Dr. Lynne Kulich, educator and co-author of the book, The Fluency Development Lesson: Closing the Reading Gap, sits down with Jennifer Nigh to talk about reading fluency and multilingual learners. Kulich shares valuable insights and practical recommendations, emphasizing evidence-based instructional practices that help all students cross the bridge from word recognition to comprehension. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com

In this call for relevant, doable professional development for all stakeholders—parent to superintendent—Kareem Weaver and David Liben stress the need for unity among competing interest groups, recognizing that students are priority one and at the center of it all. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com. A 360º View of Literacy: Episode 11.

Kareem Weaver and David Liben tackle the pressing but not often prioritized issue of instructional materials' usability—clarifying what's needed and establishing a mandate for publishers and selection committees to create and choose resources that work for diverse learners and educators. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com. Episode 10. A 360º View of Literacy: The Urgent Issue of Usability

Every educator knows the importance of foundational skills, and of building student engagement and ownership while teaching these skills. First-grade teacher Cameron Carter discusses how this can be achieved, and reflects on navigating both through and beyond the pandemic as the Science of Reading movement gains momentum.   Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com. A 360º View of Literacy: Putting the Sciences of Reading into Action

Author and educational consultant Dr. Nancy Young discusses—from both an educator and parental perspective—the unique needs and opportunities for gifted and advanced learners, and explains the Ladder of Reading and Writing, an infographic she developed to help support all students. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com. A 360º View of Literacy: Differentiating Instruction for Advanced Readers

While the research on dyslexia is still evolving, much of it is solid and clear. Author, researcher, and literacy expert Jan Hasbrouck draws from both professional and personal experience to dispel dyslexia myths and emphasize the need for strong, systematic phonics instruction.    Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com. A 360º View of Literacy: The Science of Dyslexia

For decades Diane Leddy has been developing a writing approach that begins with Backward Design and emphasizes understanding to build background knowledge. This approach has proven to increase writing achievement. Through explicit instruction and plenty of practice time, students gain the skills to write well year after year. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com. A 360º View of Literacy: The Pillars of Effective Writing Instruction

Literacy and bilingual experts Allison Briceno and Claudia Rodriguez-Mojica and teacher Claire Hood discuss culturally and linguistically sustaining practices—and how to demystify them to achieve deep, connected learning.     Season 2, Episode 5. A 360º View of Literacy: Driving Reading Comprehension Through Cultural Relevancy

Educator, school leader, and literacy curriculum expert David Liben explains the effectiveness of knowledge-building as a core part of literacy learning, the research behind it, and how creating and implementing a general knowledge curriculum can get results at even the lowest-performing schools.   Season 2, Episode 4. A 360º View of Literacy: Power Tools for Growing Knowledge, Vocabulary, and Reading Comprehension

Extensive research demonstrates the essential role that metacognition plays in reading comprehension. Reading expert Peter Afflerbach explains clearly how developing a metacognitive mindset and metacognitive strategy toolkit places students on the road to self-aware, independent, and fluent reading. Season 2, Episode 3. A 360º View of Literacy: Metacognition—The Missing Link in Reading Instruction

Fluency experts Tim Rasinski and Lynne Kulich shed light on all the benefits of fluency mastery—automaticity and expression, but also improvement in word recognition, phonics, and comprehension. Expressive reading inspires joy and affects all reading skills. Proven tools for teaching it are shared. Season 2, Episode 2. A 360º View of Literacy: The Science and the Art of Reading Fluency 

Renowned researcher Gina Cervetti discusses the cognitive benefits of incorporating students' personal, experiential, and cultural knowledge into literacy learning—stressing the importance of content area instruction and of language arts as a place where knowledge is both leveraged and developed. Season 2, Episode 1. A 360º View of Literacy: Leveraging Knowledge for Reading Success 

Jessica Velasco, a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Educator and Consultant, joins Patty McGee for a look at today's classroom through an AAPI lens.  Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

Patty McGee and Dr. Rachael Gabriel discuss the intersection of equity and the Sciences of Reading. They explore research-based strategies for differentiated instruction that supports literacy achievement for every student. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

Dr. Adria Klein and Patty McGee discuss how small-group instruction advances the Sciences of Reading by enabling flexibility, providing opportunities for observation and assessment, and bolstering responsive teaching that meets all learners' needs. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

What are we learning about how children learn to read? And how does that inform our instructional practices or accelerate student learning? Join Dr. C.C. Bates and Patty McGee as they discuss where theory meets practice in the literacy classroom. Learn more at TeacherTalkShop.com.

Understanding the evolving research about how children learn is critical in bolstering reading success. Dr. Rachael Gabriel and Dr. Peter Afflerbach discuss the intersection of The Sciences of Reading and motivation, engagement, and self-efficacy and how it informs best instructional practices. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

During challenging times, joyful stories are more important than ever.  Christine Taylor-Butler, author of more than 80 books and stories for young people, shares the importance of positive stories that affirm identity and provide uplifting experiences.  Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

When we simplify writing instruction it becomes joyful, meaningful and deeply fulfilling for everyone involved. Patty McGee, author of ‘Writer's Workshop Made Simple: 7 Essentials for Every Classroom and Every Writer,' shares some of the best ways for teachers to support writers in the classroom. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

What can we do to meet the needs of newcomer students in our schools? Silvia Dorta-Duque de Reyes discusses how to create welcoming environments for these students, from better understanding their unique needs to building their social-emotional and academic confidence to support impactful learning. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

Restorative practitioner Steve Fiedeldy joins Patty McGee to discuss the importance of understanding and addressing trauma in an educational community. Discover practical strategies rooted in restorative practices to support the mental health of students, educators, and communities. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

The Science of Reading refers to a much-discussed body of research around how students learn to read. But what could be missing from the conversation? Dr. Peter Afflerbach discusses broadening our view of the science available to inform the instruction of developing readers—from phonics and phonemic awareness to metacognition, motivation and self-efficacy. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

What is agency? And how is it supported by engagement in the classroom? Co-authors of WIRE for Agency, Jean Hayhurst and Jill DeRosa, join Patty McGee to define these terms, discuss how embracing active learning makes an impact in the classroom, and offer tips to help empower students to grow and thrive. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

Leah Mermelstein, author of ‘"We-Do" Writing: Maximizing Practice to Develop Independent Writers, talks with author and educator Patty McGee about how collaboration between educators and students boosts student confidence, and maximizes effective instructional time. Discover tips for implementing different types of collaborative writing successfully—in the beginning of the school year and beyond. 

Author / educator Patty McGee and writer / social activist Lena Schmidt explore the work of creating spaces that affirm the identities of LGBTQIA+ students within the classroom, the school, and the community. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

Dr. Margarita Calderón discusses best practices for vocabulary development for newcomers and other multilingual learners. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

Literacy expert C.C. Bates, author of Interactive Writing: Developing Readers Through Writing, talks with author and educator Patty McGee about how teachers use Interactive Writing and how they can do it better, in-person or virtually. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com. 

What voices and gendered perspectives do students experience in your classroom? How can you develop a more inclusive teaching practice? Author and educator Patty McGee and Maria Campanario, National Equity Consultant in Professional Development for Benchmark Education, explore a process for discovering and amplifying the voices, stories and histories of women within your curriculum. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

Dr. Luvelle Brown, Superintendent of Ithaca City School District, shares his insights on the process, the pedagogies and the necessity of implementing culturally responsive teaching practices and how they can transform an educational community. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

Dr. Jan Hasbrouck describes the latest research on dyslexia, its early warning signs, and what families and educators can do to support success with structured literacy, multimodal experiences, and social-emotional support. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

Dr. Jan Hasbrouck defines dyslexia, clears up common misconceptions, and shares why this topic matters so much to her and should matter to everyone, in every school.  Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

Patty McGee taught daily lessons for 9 weeks on the Benchmark Distance Learning - Literacy Block Facebook group. In this episode she talks about that experience and how it changed her teaching. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

Patty McGee talks with reading expert Laura Robb about making the space, time, and commitment to independent reading. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

Patty McGee talks with teacher and author Travis Crowder about practical ways to invite students to notice their every day worlds. Through observing, reflecting, and writing, each of us can recognize how much the ordinary things around us sustain us. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

When it comes to online teaching, it’s about connection, not perfection. Patty McGee and Julie Wright discuss how to prepare for daily online instruction and offer teachers advice on distance learning, Spoiler alert: simplicity is key. For more information, please visit TeachersTalkShop.com.

Patty McGee and Dr. Adria Klein discuss how teachers and home-schooling parents can keep read alouds simple and instructionally effective while bringing the joy into reading with children. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com

Dr. Daniella Lukashok shares practical advice for teachers about supporting themselves, their loved ones, and their students during this period of social distancing and isolation. Learn more at TeacherTalkShop.com.

Teaching reading is one of the best gifts we can give a child because it can never be taken away. No wonder people get so whipped up about this topic. In this podcast, Wiley Blevins brings a calm voice to the hubbub about the Science of Reading, revealing how every educator can use its findings to meet the majority of young students’ literacy needs efficiently, effectively, and with equity. The best materials and best instruction, decoded. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com

Teachers need easy-to-use, efficient ways to check for mastery so students’ understanding builds swiftly and surely.  In this podcast, Wiley Blevins explains the wisdom of assessing both accuracy and automaticity, and the how-to's of comprehensive and cumulative assessments. Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com.

In this podcast, Wiley Blevins explains why explicit, systematic instruction is not only scientifically proven, but easier for teachers to implement than other approaches. Discover the power behind a defined scope and sequence, a built-In spiral review, and how to differentiate instruction in whole and small groups. Learn more at Teacherstalkshop.com.

Not all decodables are created equal. In this podcast, Wiley Blevins explains why these books got a bad rap, how to find great ones, and what teachers can do with them to give Kindergarteners and first graders practice reading connected text and application to writing. More at TeachersTalkShop.com. Produced by Benchmark Education.