Grit and Grace: A literacy Journey

Grit & Grace: A Literacy Journey
Episode 14: Collaboration That Counts — A Literacy Model for Regional Success
Hosts: Angela Hanlin & Gretchen Goettl
Guest: Megan Elmhorst, CESA 10

In Episode 14, co-hosts Angela Hanlin and Gretchen Goettl sit down with Megan Elmhorst of CESA 10 to explore the collaborative literacy work happening across the region—and how shared vision, shared language, and shared instructional systems are transforming classroom practice.

This conversation highlights the real strengths of regional service agency support, and how CESA 10 is helping schools move beyond isolated efforts into deeply aligned, sustainable literacy improvement models.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How CESA 10 supports districts through regional collaboration

• Why shared instructional frameworks accelerate literacy outcomes

• What it takes to build consistency across multiple schools and settings

• The importance of partnership, trust, and team alignment in literacy work

• Real examples of successful collaboration that’s moving schools forward

For leaders, coaches, teachers, and community partners striving to create coherent and effective literacy systems, this episode offers a clear path forward—powered by the belief that regional partnership truly moves the work farther, faster.

#GritAndGracePodcast #LiteracyForAll #RegionalCollaboration #CESA10 #EducationLeadership #InstructionalCoherence #ReadingChangesLives #AngelaHanlin #GretchenGoettl #MeganElmhorst #CollectiveImpact #AllMeansAll

Host: Angela Hanlin
Guest: Sheriff Chris Swanson, Genesee County Sheriff, Founder of IGNITE

Description:
In this powerful and deeply moving episode of Grit & Grace: A Literacy Journey, host Angela Hanlin sits down with Sheriff Chris Swanson, a nationally recognized law enforcement leader redefining what it means to serve and transform communities. Through his groundbreaking initiative IGNITE (Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education), Sheriff Swanson is proving that literacy is far more than an academic skill—it’s a human right, a pathway to redemption, and a foundation for true rehabilitation.

Together, Angela and Sheriff Swanson explore the intersection of literacy, leadership, and justice, diving into the origins of IGNITE, the challenges of leading cultural change within correctional systems, and the transformative outcomes now spreading across the nation. From personal stories of resilience to the ripple effects of restored families, this conversation is a testament to what’s possible when we lead with vision, compassion, and courage.

Key Topics Covered:

• How IGNITE began and why education is central to reducing crime and restoring lives

• The parallels between school leadership and correctional leadership

• Building a culture of hope through literacy and learning

• The power of celebrating small victories and creating lasting change

• Leadership lessons on vision, perseverance, and service

Memorable Quote:

“It’s a race that never finishes—but must be run.” — Sheriff Chris Swanson

About the Guest:
Sheriff Chris Swanson is the Sheriff of Genesee County, Michigan, and founder of IGNITE, a nationally recognized jail education program now replicated in over 14 states. Featured in The Truth About Reading documentary, his work bridges the worlds of law enforcement, education, and social justice, offering a model for systemic transformation rooted in literacy and humanity.

About the Host:
Angela Hanlin is an educational leader and literacy advocate passionate about helping schools move from awareness to action. As host of Grit & Grace, she amplifies stories of transformation that remind us that all means all—no excuses.

Hashtags:
#GritAndGracePodcast #LiteracyForAll #LeadershipInAction #IgniteProgram #EducationForAll #LiteracyReform #TransformativeLeadership #ReadingChangesLives #AngelaHanlin #ChrisSwanson #TheTruthAboutReading #IgniteHope

In this special anniversary episode of Grit & Grace, host Angela Hanlin celebrates one year of conversations, collaboration, and courageous leadership in literacy and education.

Over the past year, Grit & Grace has brought together educators, researchers, and changemakers from across the world—all united by one mission: to move schools forward through evidence-based practice, community, and heart.

Join Angela as she reflects on key moments, lessons learned, and the continued momentum of the structured literacy movement. This episode honors the incredible guests and listeners who’ve made this journey possible and looks ahead to what’s next for Grit & Grace.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• A look back at the first year of Grit & Grace and its most impactful conversations

• Milestones in the science of reading and structured literacy movement

• Stories of transformation from classrooms and schools across the country

• Lessons in leadership, resilience, and collaboration

• Angela’s reflections on what’s next for educators and the podcast community

Whether you’ve been here from Episode 1 or are tuning in for the first time, this episode is a celebration of progress, persistence, and purpose.

In this powerful episode of Grit & Grace, host Angela Hanlin sits down with Justin Browning, an innovative educator and literacy leader, and Dr. Molly Ness, a nationally recognized researcher and advocate for evidence-based reading instruction.

Together, they explore what it truly takes to move from balanced literacy to structured literacy—not as a trend, but as a total transformation grounded in the science of reading.

This episode is a candid look at what happens when schools and teachers commit to change. Justin shares his firsthand experience leading this shift, and Dr. Ness provides the research-based insights that help make transformation sustainable.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The key differences between balanced and structured literacy

• What motivates educators to make the shift—and what challenges arise

• Real-world strategies for implementing structured literacy across classrooms

• The importance of leadership, professional learning, and community in driving change

• How research and practice come together to support every student’s right to read

Whether you’re a classroom teacher, literacy coach, or administrator, this conversation will inspire you to take bold, evidence-informed steps toward literacy success for all.

#GritAndGracePodcast #Episode11 #StructuredLiteracy #BalancedLiteracy #ScienceOfReading #JustinBrowning #MollyNess #LiteracyLeadership #ReadingInstruction #EducationTransformation

In this episode of Grit & Grace, hosts Angela Hanlin and Gretchen Goettl are joined by Arti Shah, a Speech Pathologist with over 13 years of experience and the creator of Human Chapters. Together, they take a deep dive into how language and communication can and should be integrated into everyday instruction.

Arti shares her insights as both a clinician and lifelong learner, highlighting how communication access and equity are central to learning and belonging in schools. With her recent Master’s in Learning Interventions, she brings a fresh perspective on bridging research and practice to better support students, families, and educators.

We also explore her work through Human Chapters, a storytelling platform that uplifts diverse voices and fosters connection through shared human experiences.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why language and communication are foundational to learning across all subjects

• How teachers can weave communication strategies into daily instruction

• The role of equity in supporting language development and access

• How Human Chapters uses storytelling to inspire growth, resilience, and understanding

• Practical strategies educators can use to strengthen communication in the classroom

This episode is a powerful reminder that communication is not an “extra”—it’s the foundation of learning, inclusion, and connection.

Learn more about Human Chapters:

• YouTube: Human Chapters → https://www.youtube.com/@humanchapters

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/human-chapters/id1562193321

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5KSPvPYdXrbDeqfKHnmOYU

• Instagram: @huma.nchapters
  #GritAndGracePodcast #Episode10 #LanguageAndCommunication #ArtiShah #HumanChapters #CommunicationEquity #SLP #Storytelling #InclusiveEducation #Literacy

In this episode of Grit & Grace, host Angela Hanlin is joined by Donna Hejtmanek and Dr. Lori Severino to explore how microcredentials are transforming professional learning for educators.

Microcredentials give teachers the opportunity to design personalized learning pathways and showcase their expertise in a professional portfolio—moving beyond traditional “one-size-fits-all” professional development. Donna and Lori share their experiences, insights, and the real-world impact they’ve seen as advocates for this approach.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What microcredentials are and how they differ from traditional PD

• How teachers can use microcredentials to build professional portfolios

• Why personalized professional learning leads to stronger teacher growth and student outcomes

• The role of microcredentials in promoting teacher agency and equity

• Practical advice for educators and leaders on getting started with microcredentials
  

This episode is an inspiring look at how professional learning can be reimagined to honor teacher expertise and support career advancement.

#GritAndGracePodcast #Episode9 #Microcredentials #DonnaHejtmanek #LoriSeverino #PersonalizedLearning #ProfessionalDevelopment #TeacherAgency #EducatorPortfolio #EducationLeadership #FutureOfEducation

In our first international episode of Grit & Grace, we welcome the passionate and inspiring Kim Lockhart, a Canadian educator shaping the future of literacy education through both classroom teaching and higher education.

Kim currently teaches French Immersion and Special Education in Kingston, Ontario, and serves as an instructor in the Literacy, Language, and Learning graduate program at Vancouver Island University. With a background in both special education and teacher preparation, Kim offers a unique perspective on how universities can better equip future educators to meet the needs of all learners.

In this conversation, Kim shares her own literacy journey—from realizing that traditional methods weren’t reaching all students, to pursuing advanced training in the Science of Reading and Orton-Gillingham. Today, she is committed to bridging the gap between research and practice, ensuring that new teachers enter the classroom prepared with the skills, tools, and confidence they need.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why higher education plays a pivotal role in shaping effective teacher.

• The importance of embedding explicit, evidence-based instruction in teacher prep programs

• How to address common myths around dyslexia, cueing, and reading instruction

• The power of universal screening and data-driven teaching practices

• Practical advice for teacher educators and new teachers entering the classroom

• How closing teacher knowledge gaps helps close equity gaps for students
  

With clarity and passion, Kim shows how higher education can lead change—and why preparing future teachers with the science of reading is essential for equity in education.

#GritAndGracePodcast #Episode8 #KimLockhart #HigherEdLeadership #TeacherPreparation #ScienceOfReading #EducationalEquity #FutureEducators #ExplicitInstruction #LiteracyLeadership #EducationPodcast

In this episode of Grit & Grace, we dive into what it really takes to teach writing effectively—with guest expert Dr. Leslie Laud, founder of thinkSRSD and a national authority on Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD).

Dr. Laud brings nearly two decades of experience as a writing instructor, researcher, and classroom teacher. She holds a doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction from Columbia University and is known for her ability to turn rigorous research into practical tools that actually work in today’s classrooms.

With writing instruction often overlooked in literacy reform, Dr. Laud offers a compelling look at what schools can do differently—and why SRSD is a proven path forward. She shares not just the research behind the model, but the real-world results schools are seeing.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• The science and research base behind SRSD and thinkSRSD

• What makes thinkSRSD different from other writing approaches

• Common misunderstandings about teaching writing

• What school-wide implementation looks like—and how to start

• What data shows about the impact of SRSD on student performance

• Leadership tips for principals and instructional teams

• The heart behind this work, and why it’s needed now more than ever
  

With contributions from co-host Angie Hanlin, this episode blends expert insight with real-life school leadership and practical strategies for transforming writing instruction.

#GritAndGracePodcast #Episode7 #thinkSRSD #LeslieLaud #WritingInstruction #ScienceOfWriting #SRSD #EducationalLeadership #TeacherSupport #ImplementationScience #WritingReform

Adolescents deserve more than just catch-up reading support—they deserve transformation.

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Mitchell Brookins shares what it takes to improve literacy outcomes for older students using evidence-based practice, school-wide leadership, and a deep commitment to equity. From his time in the classroom to his work with entire districts, Dr. Brookins brings practical wisdom, clarity, and compassion to this conversation.

What you’ll learn:

• How to reach struggling adolescent readers

• Why leadership matters in literacy change

• Lessons from urban, rural, and high-need contexts

• Shifting school culture through equity and evidence

Tune in for an honest and inspiring look at what’s possible in adolescent literacy when grit and grace lead the way.
#GritAndGracePodcast #AdolescentLiteracy #ScienceOfReading #EducationLeadership #SchoolChange #LiteracySuccess #ReadingReform #SecondaryEducation #EquityInSchools

In this episode, we explore the power and purpose of Differentiated Instruction (DI)—a proven, responsive way to meet the diverse learning needs of all students. Backed by the research of Dr. Vicki Gibson, Dr. Jan Hasbrouck, and insights from Climbing the Ladder of Reading & Writing by Hasbrouck & Nancy Young, we examine what effective DI really looks like in practice.

We also unpack practical strategies from It’s Possible! by Pati Montgomery & Angela Hanlin, including:

• Building flexible instructional groups

• Using assessment data to drive instruction

• Planning explicit, small-group lessons that target real needs

Whether you're a teacher, coach, or school leader, this episode is packed with actionable tools to create equitable learning experiences.

Listen now and take the next step toward responsive teaching.

#GritAndGracePodcast #DifferentiatedInstruction #TeacherPodcast #LiteracyDevelopment #ReadingStrategies #SmallGroupInstruction #EducationPodcast #ExplicitInstruction #InstructionalLeadership