In this deeply moving episode, Dr. Danielle “Nell” Thompson shares her powerful journey from a small town in North Dakota to Bush Alaska, all the way to becoming a transformational coach and the founder of the Big Sky Literacy Summit. Together, we explore how language is the foundation of literacy—not just for academic success, but for human connection, dignity, and transformation.

We also dig into the intersection of language and leadership, discussing how deep systems change, intentional leadership, and relationship-driven instruction can move the literacy needle—not just for individual students, but entire school communities.

Key Takeaways:

• Why oral language is both a risk factor and a protective factor in literacy development
• How early language experiences shape long-term life outcomes 
• What true transformational leadership looks like in school settings
• Powerful tools for screening early oral language & providing intervention
• A heartfelt case study from Bush Alaska that will leave you inspired

Resources Mentioned:

• Big Sky Literacy Summit 2025: Language is Everything
• Book: Speech to Print - Dr. Louisa Moats
• Book: Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills - Birsch & Carreker
• Book: Unlocking Literacy - Marcia Henry
• Hugh Catts: Viewing A Phonological Deficit within a Multifactorial Model of Dyslexia
• Book: Meaningful Differences in the Everyday Experiences of Young American Children – Hart & Risley 
• Book: 30 Million Words: Building a Child’s Brain – Dr. Dana Suskind
• The Abecedarian Project – Early childhood longitudinal study
• Podcast Episode 19: Oral Language & Reading with Elizabeth Doherty, The Reading SLP
• LanguageScreen – Oral language screener by Maggie Snowling & Charles Hulme
• Let’s Know! – FREE language curriculum developed by the Language and Reading Research Consortium (available via Ohio State)
• NELI (Nuffield Early Language Intervention) – Oral language program (includes the LanguageScreen Assessment)
• Story Champs & ECHO – Language intervention tools from the Language Dynamics Group
• Book: It’s All About Language - Grigorenko, Shtirov, McArdle
• Book: Annual Growth for All Students, Catch-Up Growth for Those Who Are Behind - Fielding, Kerr, & Rosier
• Book: MTSS for Reading Improvement - Stephanie Stollar & Sarah Brown

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Connect with Dr. Nell:

• Dr. Nell's Website: The Transformative Reading Teacher Group
• Big Sky Literacy Summit Website
• Email: [email protected] 
• LinkedIn: Dr. Danielle “Nell” Thompson
• Facebook: Big Sky Literacy Summit
• Facebook: The Transformative Reading Teacher Group
• Join The Reading League Montana

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• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom
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