What does it truly mean to invest in the livelihood of all children? Lakeisha Johnson, PhD, joins the READ Podcast for a timely and important discussion on an integrated, systems approach to supporting all students in school communities, with a focus on vulnerable and marginalized populations. 

 Applying an ecological systems framework to reading, Dr. Johnson explains the “both, and” of applying the Science of Reading in classrooms while ensuring that educators understand and invest in community-wide supports and programs to address other factors that could influence reading outcomes. This integrated approach both broadens and deepens the collective impact on the livelihood of children and families. Dr. Johnson cites her research on executive functioning and language, particularly exploring dialectical variation and reflects upon her work as Director of The Village and creator of Maya’s Book Nook.

Do you want to learn more from this episode? Visit readpodcast.org and the Episode #41 homepage for host Danielle Scorrano's top bookmarks and resources. To connect with Dr. Lakeisha Johnson on Twitter, you can follow her (@DrJ_SLP or @mayasbooknook)  or learn more about her work at FCRR or Maya's Book Nook.

Do you have questions for future topics and speakers? E-mail us at [email protected].

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Until next time, READers!