Do you realize that scientists think a certain way? A scientist looks for new evidence, is willing to accept the results of that evidence, and uses that evidence to make informed decisions. As Literacy Leaders, it is crucial that we think like scientists when it comes to reading instruction. We have to be willing to be disturbed as Margaret Wheatley says and accept what evidence tells us. This podcast will help you begin to think like a scientist and understand the words of George Bernard Shaw, "Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything." 

You've heard this phrase many times before; however, I bet you haven't heard it like this before. In this episode, you will hear about how Literacy Leaders should always be reading something, but the episode doesn't stop there. You will also learn four other ways that Literacy Leaders should be readers. 

Let's push our thinking once again! 

Did you know that Walt Whitman received a letter of encouragement from Ralph Waldo Emerson at the beginning of his career? Encouragement is a power-packed tool that keeps people moving and makes people better. This podcast will lay out 4 ways to be a great encourager. Stick around to the end, because as much as Literacy Leaders give encouragement, you need your bucket filled. 

Do you realize that a child's name is most likely the first word they will ever read? Dale Carnegie said, "A person's name is to him or her the sweetest and most important sound in any language."  In this episode, we will dig into the importance of names, how to use names, how to remember names, and what names can do to strengthen cultures in classrooms and schools. 

In education, goals tend to cloud our thinking so much that we forget about the necessity of growth. This podcast episode will lead you through some thinking about the importance of goals in a journey. We often overestimate the goal so much that we underestimate the journey. 

Join me as we grow together. 

Sounds the bells!  This podcast features the great Nancy Hennessey. Nancy brings her expertise, knowledge, and wisdom to explore the complexity of comprehension and the role of syntax and sentences in extracting and constructing meaning from text. The informed educators understand that syntax is a vehicle for conveying meaning. Learn how it provides the structure for organizing words, phrases, and clauses into the sentences that transport ideas and ultimately, add up to the text itself. Finally, consider explicit instructional strategies and activities for developing sentence comprehension whether reading by eye or ear.

Part 2 of a 2 part series.

Sounds the bells!  This podcast features the great Nancy Hennessey. Nancy brings her expertise, knowledge, and wisdom to explore the complexity of comprehension and the role of syntax and sentences in extracting and constructing meaning from text. The informed educators understand that syntax is a vehicle for conveying meaning. Learn how it provides the structure for organizing words, phrases, and clauses into the sentences that transport ideas and ultimately, add up to the text itself. Finally, consider explicit instructional strategies and activities for developing sentence comprehension whether reading by eye or ear.

Part 1 of a 2 part series. 

Culture is one of the most powerful factors in a school or district. Culture is more powerful than programs, curriculums, initiatives, or visions. John Maxwell says, "Culture eats vision for lunch." In this podcast, I will share two categories to consider when building a Literacy culture in your school or district: 1) Behaviors 2) Resources. And remember the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, "What you do speaks so loudly I can't hear what you are saying." 

On the Sunday night following Thanksgiving week, I became sad that Monday morning was about to roll around.  I didn't want to face what was coming my way.  I wanted more time.  Education is too heavy right now.  I'm too weary.  

Are you with me?  I know you are because I know the landscape and I know the struggles; however, I also know what it means to Show Up the Right Way every day. This podcast shares 3 ways to show up being the best Literacy Leader possible when the going gets tough, and well let's face it, when the stress of the day makes my hair and face look a little rough! 

This Podcast is the culmination of a couple of things I've seen, heard, and experienced in the last several years.  First, I have talked to educators that understand what it means to teach students to read according to what the research tells us; however, they feel like they have no influence with others.  Second, I have seen highly charged interactions on social media when someone understands reading in a different way.  These highly charged interactions come with negative comments and I would imagine clenched fists; however, that is no way to influence someone. This podcast will describe 4 different scenarios in which you can influence up, down, and sideways. In addition, I will share 10 factors that will create influential environments that move toward shared goals and positive change.  I wish every educator I have talked to over the past 15 years could listen to this!  Please share to help spread the movement around influencing others according to what we know from the research.