In today’s episode of Literacy in Color, we’re chatting with Ashley Doty, founder of Uncomplicate Ed, an organization dedicated to making teaching and learning clearer, simpler, and more effective. Drawing on two decades of experience across the education landscape (and even a past life as a theater educator!), Ashley brings both heart and science to this conversation.

They dig into what the science of learning actually looks like inside real classrooms, how small shifts can spark huge gains, and why teachers don’t need more complexity; they need clarity, purpose, and research-based practices that truly work for students.

You'll hear Ashley break down concepts like retrieval practice, interleaving, chunking, background knowledge, student engagement, motivation, and how to support learners in a way that honors both the art and the science of teaching. She shares incredible real-world results from classrooms and schools who leveraged these principles — including 15+ point mid-year gains and 22-point year-over-year proficiency jumps.

If you're an educator who wants practical ways to strengthen learning without adding more to your plate, this is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways:

• Why simplifying instruction (without oversimplifying learning) is essential.
• How retrieval practice and spaced practice transform long-term memory.
• Interleaving — what it is, what teachers get wrong, and how to implement it realistically.
• How poetry, speeches, and small “tweaks” can dramatically improve engagement and retention.
• The relationship between learning science and motivation, student agency, and teacher-student relationships.

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: Powerful Teaching by Dr. Pooja Agarwal & Patrice Bain
• Retrievalpractice.org – free resources (Pooja Agarwal)
• Book: 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People by David Yeager

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

Connect with Ashley Doty:

• Website: https://uncomplicateed.com
• Facebook Group: Uncomplicate Ed & Uncomplicating Education Across the Nation
• YouTube: @UncomplicateEd
• Instagram: @UncomplicateEd

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademy
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Want to Support the Podcast?

• Make a Donation to Support Production

Interested in Learning More about Morphology?

• Take our Course: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator

In this powerful and deeply moving episode, Michelle welcomes Hilderbrand Pelzer III — award-winning principal, author of Unlocking Potential, national speaker, and a transformational leader whose work inside one of the largest jail systems in America has reshaped conversations about literacy, justice, and hope.

Michelle heard Hilderbrand as a keynote speaker at The Reading League Conference and was profoundly inspired by his message — especially his reminder that the school-to-prison pipeline runs right through reading classrooms. Today, he shares stories from decades of work in juvenile corrections, traditional public schools, and the Philadelphia prison system. They explore why literacy is unequivocally a social justice issue, how the school-to-prison pipeline unfolds long before high school, and what educators and leaders can do to interrupt it — starting in the earliest grades.

Through personal narratives, hard truths, and a hopeful vision for the future, Hilderbrand offers a call to action: Don’t give up and never underestimate the impact of teaching a child to read.

Key Takeaways:

• Literacy is a Social Justice Issue
• The School-to-Prison Pipeline Runs Through Reading Classrooms
• Many “behavior issues” are actually literacy issues in disguise, leading to frustration, disengagement, and eventually dropping out.
• Leadership Requires Vulnerability
• Teachers need the right tools and training – not blame

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: Unlocking Potential: Organizing a School Inside a Prison by Hilderbrand Pelzer III
• Talk: Hilderbrand’s TED Talk (referenced in conversation)

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

Connect with Hildebrand Pelzer III:

• Website: www.hilderbrandpelzer3.com
• Bluesky: @HildebrandPelzer3
• X (Twitter): @HP3Potential
• Instagram: @hilderbrandpelzer3
• Facebook: HilderbrandPelzer3
• LinkedIn: Hildebrand Pelzer III
• YouTube

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademy
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Want to Support the Podcast?

• Make a Donation to Support Production

Interested in Learning More about Morphology?

• Take our Course: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator

In this solo episode, we take an honest, unflinching look at what are traditionally called Kindergarten Reading Levels: Guided Reading Levels A, B, C, and D — and why these levels do not reflect how children actually learn to read.

If you’re a kindergarten teacher, literacy coach, interventionist, or a parent of a beginning reader, this episode will give you the clarity you’ve been craving.

Key Takeaways: 

• Where these levels came from and what they were actually designed to measure
• Why predictable texts are more about the “illusion of reading” than actual reading
• Why picture-cueing, pattern memorization, and MSV underlie these early levels
• Why a student can “read” a Level D text but not decode a CVC word
• What proponents of Guided Reading say about finger-pointing
• Why these texts are fundamentally misaligned with the reading brain
• What to do instead to support true early reading development

And yes — we can absolutely preserve the joy of reading without predictable pattern books.

If your school or district is beginning to shift away from Balanced Literacy, Kindergarten is a wonderful place to start. When we remove the pressure of arbitrary, misaligned “levels” and instead equip kids with the code of our language, we give them true access to reading — not the performance of it.

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademy
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Want to Support the Podcast?

• Make a Donation to Support Production

Interested in Learning More about Morphology?

• Take our Course: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator

In this powerful episode, Michelle is joined by legendary reading experts Linda Farrell and Michael Hunter, Founding Partners at Readsters. With more than 40 years of experience helping struggling readers — from kindergarten through adulthood — Linda and Michael break down what effective intervention truly looks like, why older learners often continue to slip through the cracks, and how to use assessment, precision, and patience to help every student become a reader. This episode is filled with practical wisdom, honest insights, and encouragement for every educator working with older students who need foundational reading support.

Key Takeaways:

• Why older readers still struggle despite “years of instruction”
• The purpose & power of diagnostic assessment
• What effective intervention really looks like
• Why motivation & respect matter deeply
• Reassurance that “It Is Never Too Late”

Resources Mentioned:

• Readsters Website: www.readsters.com
• Free Resources on their Website
• Book: Working Memory and Learning by Susan Gathercole & Tracy Packiam Alloway

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

Connect with Linda & Michael of Readsters:

• Website: www.readsters.com
• Email Michael Hunter: [email protected]
• Email Linda Farrell: [email protected]

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademy
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Want to Support the Podcast?

• Make a Donation to Support Production

Interested in Learning More about Morphology?

• Take our Course: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator

In this episode, Michelle talks with Dr. Julia Lindsey about her brand-new book “Small Groups, Big Results: Evidence-Based Routines to Get Every Child Reading ”, a practical guide to designing effective small-group instruction with the Science of Reading in mind. Julia shares her journey to researcher and author, and explains why the “leveled-text ladder” needs to be left behind. Together they explore how to use small groups with purpose, the data that should drive them, and the mindset shifts teachers need to make every minute of instruction count.

Key Takeaways:

• Small groups are most powerful when they’re targeted, built around clear goals, practice, and feedback.
• “Guided reading” levels don’t predict growth; what matters is matching instruction to the next skill students need.
• Data should reveal what to teach, not just who is behind. Group by need, not by label.
• Flexible groupings, short bursts of focused practice, and clear feedback create more learning in less time.
• The purpose of small-group instruction is not to fill a time block; it’s to accelerate access to grade-level learning.

Resources Mentioned:

• Reading Above the Fray by Dr. Julia B. Lindsey (Scholastic’s Science of Reading in Practice Series)
• Small Groups, Big Results by Dr. Julia B. Lindsey (Scholastic’s Science of Reading in Practice Series)
• Beyond Decodables: free content-rich decodable texts
• Rock Your Literacy Block by Lindsay Kemeny (Scholastic’s Science of Reading in Practice Series)

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

Connect with Dr. Julia B. Lindsey:

• Website: juliablindsey.com
• Instagram: @juliablindsey
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• X

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademy
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Want to Support the Podcast?

• Make a Donation to Support Production

Interested in Learning More about Morphology?

• Take our Course: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed teaching writing, you’re not alone. In this episode, Michelle sits down with educator, author, and founder of Reimagine Writing, LaNesha Tabb, to talk about her framework in building confident, independent writers.

For years, LaNesha admits she either “barely taught writing” or avoided it altogether — not because she didn’t care, but because it felt impossible to manage. That all changed when she created a simple yet powerful framework that turned chaos into clarity and helped her students finally thrive as writers.

Key Takeaways:

• Why so many teachers feel underprepared to teach writing
• How the science of writing and the science of learning informs her work
• What it means to have a framework — not just a bunch of strategies
• How checklists, chants, and routines can build independence in your writing block
• Why focusing on the process first helps students internalize everything else

Connect with LaNesha Tabb:

• Website: laneshatabb.com
• Free writing guide: https://laneshatabb.com/rock-the-writing-block/
• Reimagine Writing: www.reimaginewritingprogram.com
• Instagram: @lanesha_tabb

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademy
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Want to Support the Podcast?

• Make a Donation to Support Production

Interested in Learning More about Morphology?

• Take our Course: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, and today’s conversation shines a light on the power of online instruction to reach and teach our one in five students with dyslexia.

In this episode, I’m chatting with Michelle Breitenbach, founder of Read to Rewire, certified dyslexia practitioner, and creator of the Online with Ease Academy, where she trains teachers to bring multisensory, structured literacy instruction to life virtually. After leaving the classroom due to health challenges, Michelle discovered her purpose helping children and educators worldwide through high-quality, human-centered online tutoring.

We discuss how to make virtual lessons feel just as personal and powerful as in-person ones — emphasizing connection, simplicity, and structure. Michelle shares heartwarming stories of students who have thrived online, and offers practical advice for teachers and parents alike.

Key Takeaways:

• The prevalence of dyslexia and the urgent need for early identification
• Why online instruction can expand access and reduce barriers for families
• How to create engaging, multisensory virtual lessons that feel human
• Common pitfalls of “the virtual highway” (and how to avoid them)
• Practical advice for teachers seeking flexibility and freedom through online work

Connect with Michelle Breitenbach:

• Website: Read to Rewire
• Instagram: @readtorewire
• Free Guide: From Teacher to Online with Ease
• Free Masterclass
• 7-Day Access to her Training

Waitlist to Join: Online with Ease

🎧 For more episodes in the Dyslexia Awareness Month bonus series, check out the playlist here.

Check out our Dyslexia Awareness Reel here!

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademy
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Want to Support the Podcast?

• Make a Donation to Support Production

Interested in Learning More about Morphology?

• Take our Course: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator

Literacy in Color is officially ONE year old!

I’d like to start this anniversary episode from a place of gratitude with a huge THANK YOU to my Top 10 Guest Episodes of the Year: Dr. Stephanie Stollar, Justin Browning, Lindsay Kemeny, Sarah Paul, Fiona Hamilton with Rebecca Loveless, Dr. David Kilpatrick, Dr. Molly Ness, Dr. Treasa Bowe, Christina Winter, and Jake Daggett.

To celebrate this milestone, I’m joining in on the “Betrayal Trend” and sharing my Science of Reading Betrayal List: 12 practices or ideas that, in my view, hold us back from truly moving literacy forward. 

Of course, I’ll unpack each one with context (and compassion).

Here’s a sneak peek at what made my betrayal list:

• Rebalancing Balanced Literacy
• Memorizing Lists of “Sight Words”
• Using Predictable Texts for Beginning Readers
• Skipping Handwriting Instruction
• Too Much Teacher Talk
• Saying Morphology is just “Teaching Affixes”
• Forgetting About Language
• Telling a Student with Dyslexia to “Try Harder”
• Claiming Everything We Do Has to Be “Research-Based”
• Letting One Study Make Us Pivot Everything
• Fighting within Science of Reading Circles
• Calling the Science of Reading a Pendulum Swing

Looking forward to what’s next for Literacy in Color!

Support the Show Here!

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademy
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Want to Support the Podcast?

• Make a Donation to Support Production

Interested in Learning More about Morphology?

• Take our Course: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, and every Friday Michelle is highlighting voices who are changing the landscape for students with dyslexia and their families.

In this episode, Michelle sits down with Melanie Brethour, a Montreal-based resource teacher, founder of Decoding Dyslexia Quebec, and the voice behind Soar With Dyslexia. Inspired by her son’s journey with dyslexia, Melanie has become a leading advocate for parent empowerment, teacher training, and evidence-based instruction.

Key Takeaways:

• The power of parent advocacy and how to navigate systems that say “wait and see.”
• Why early identification and intervention are acts of equity.
• How parents and teachers can work together to support struggling readers.
• What Melanie has learned about balancing her teacher and parent lenses.
• Why reading is a human right and what needs to shift in schools and teacher prep programs to make that a reality.

Resources Mentioned:

• National Center on Improving Literacy - Resources for Families
• International Dyslexia Association (IDA) – Dyslexia Handbook: What Every Family Should Know
• Decoding Dyslexia – grassroots advocacy network
• Melanie’s Link Tree - with a ton of resources!

Connect with Melanie Brethour:

• Melanie’s Decoding Dyslexia - Quebec Facebook Page
• Instagram: @soarwithdyslexia 
• LinkedIn
• X

🎧 For more episodes in the Dyslexia Awareness Month bonus series, check out the playlist here.

Check out our Dyslexia Awareness Reel here!

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademy
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Want to Support the Podcast?

• Make a Donation to Support Production

Interested in Learning More about Morphology?

• Take our Course: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator

How does the brain actually learn or remember something new? In this fascinating episode of Literacy in Color, Dr. Shane Saeed joins Michelle to break down the Science of Learning in a way that’s simple, practical, and classroom-ready.

Shane is an Elementary ELA Curriculum Coordinator, national presenter, and author who has spent years helping teachers translate research into action. Together, they explore how memory, retrieval, metacognition, and productive struggle shape student learning, and how teachers can design instruction that sticks.

Key Takeaways:

• The difference between short-term, working, and long-term memory
• The importance of retrieval practice, as well as paced and interleaved practice to deepen understanding
• What metacognition looks like in the classroom (and why it’s critical for student ownership)
• How to design lessons that minimize cognitive overload and maximize retention
• Why “desirable difficulties” are the sweet spot between challenge and frustration

Whether you teach kindergarten phonics or high school history, this episode will leave you with practical takeaways and a renewed appreciation for how the brain learns best.

Resources Mentioned:

• Powerful Teaching by Dr. Pooja Agarwal & Patrice Bain
• Smart Teaching, Stronger Learning by Pooja Agarwal
• Retrieval Practice by Kate Jones
• Outsmart Your Brain by Dan Willingham
• Uncommon Sense Teaching by Barbara Oakley, Beth Rogowsky, & Terrence Sejnowski
• Harnessing the Science of Learning by Nathaniel Swain

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the podcast!

Connect with Dr. Shane Saeed:

• Instagram:  @drshanesaeed
• TikTok: @drshanesaeed
• Twitter/X: @drshanesaeed
• Check out her book: Be the Flame

Connect with Me:

• Follow me on Instagram: @michelle_thecolorfulclassroom & @logosliteracyacademy
• Join our Facebook Community
• Sign up for my Newsletter
• Shop on TPT: The Colorful Classroom
• Visit: www.michelleandthecolorfulclassroom.com
• Join The COLORFUL Literacy Toolkit Membership

Want to Support the Podcast?

• Make a Donation to Support Production

Interested in Learning More about Morphology?

• Take our Course: Mastering Morphology: Foundations for Every Educator