Ever feel like you're swimming against the tide when it comes to teaching kids to read? You're not alone! 

In this enlightening episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, we welcome seasoned educators Shannon Betts & Mary Saghafi, hosts of the Reading Teachers Lounge podcast.

With over two decades of combined experience in various educational settings, from traditional classrooms to specialized reading instruction, they've seen it all – and they're not afraid to ruffle a few feathers to get kids reading.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS:

• The shift towards science of reading methodologies and its impact on classroom practices
• Common misconceptions in literacy instruction and how to overcome them
• Strategies for advocating for struggling readers within school systems
• The importance of data-driven decision making in addressing students' needs
• Practical advice for teachers navigating conflicts and improving their instructional practices

Shannon and Mary offer practical advice on meeting kids where they are, ditching one-size-fits-all approaches, and why those foundational skills are just so important. Their discussion highlights the challenges and rewards of being a "rebel educator" who prioritizes student needs over outdated practices.

Whether you're a teacher feeling stuck, an administrator looking for fresh ideas, or a parent trying to make sense of it all, this episode is for you! Tune in and get ready to revolutionize the way you think about teaching reading!

GUEST BIO:

The Reading Teachers Lounge is a podcast and professional learning community of literacy teachers searching for the best resources and research-backed practices to reach their learners.    Cohosts Shannon and Mary bring an honest and experienced point of view to the topics they share.  Listen.  Learn.  And immediately add to your bag of teaching tricks. Find what works for YOUR students with us in the Reading Teachers Lounge.

RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Connect with Shannon and Mary on Facebook and Instagram
• Learn more about the Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum, a fully integrated literacy and project based learning curriculum, at  projectup.us or inkwire.co/rplc  
• Get your copy of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination Meet
• Learn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project library.
• Visit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment.
• Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here.

Enjoying the show? Leave us a rating and review and help more people find us! bit.ly/RebelEducatorApplePodcasts

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Interested in being on the Rebel Educator podcast? Fill out this form and we'll reach out to you if we think you'd be a great fit for an upcoming episode. https://forms.gle/CZJXLQDdevPh22ZN7

Want to learn more about opening your own UP Academy? Check out the Rebel Educator Accelerator: www.rebeleducator.com/courses/the-accelerator

MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST:

In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education.

This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth.

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.