The first step in leading yourself is to put on the mindset of being a learner. Approach every interaction, every conversation, every meeting and every lesson with the mindset of a learner and you will see the significant different it makes. 

✪✪✪ ALL MEANS ALL when it comes to evidence-based literacy instruction. ✪✪✪

In the final segment of their Change-makers podcast miniseries, Dr. Terrie Noland is joined by colleagues Linda Diamond, Dr. Tim Odegard, and Dr. Tracy Weeden. The group reflects on what they learned about leading large and modeling for others throughout the series. They discuss various takeaways from the esteemed guests they've hosted, emphasizing themes such as the importance of involving all stakeholders, acknowledging the shortcomings in the education system, growing as a leader, the humility necessary in leadership, and the importance of maintaining a growth journey. The conversation highlights the attributes and actions necessary for educators and staff to contribute effectively to systemic change in the teaching and learning landscape.

Key Points:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:40 Reflections on the Leadership Journey

00:56 Key Takeaways from Esteemed Guests

01:17 The Importance of Involving Stakeholders

02:58 The Challenge of Depletion of Human Capital

03:32 The Role of Higher Education

04:12 The Power of Measured Voices

04:56 Bringing Honor Back to Teaching

05:16 The Impact of Change and Leadership

09:36 The Role of Parents in Education

11:05 The Importance of Growth and Learning

13:39 The Power of Humility and Vulnerability

16:43 The Role of Literacy in Shaping the Future

18:09 The Impact of Personal Experiences on Leadership

18:43 The Importance of Professional Learning

23:53 The Power of Hope and the Journey of Change

42:16 Conclusion: The Power of Leadership in Education

In this episode, the co-hosts are joined by Ameer Baraka, an award-winning actor, author, dyslexia advocate, youth mentor, and prison coach. Baraka shares his inspiring journey of being a dyslexic who learnt to read as an adult due to his dyslexia not being diagnosed during his childhood. He highlights his descent into a criminal life and his eventual rise to success through education. Having benefited from mentors who encouraged him and believed in his potential, Baraka highlights the importance of mentorship and the need for early dyslexia screening and remediation. Baraka uses his life story to inspire others and advocates for literacy as a way of combating the high incarceration rates.

Visit LearningAlly.org to find out more about how you can unlock student potential through our equitable literacy solutions.

Key Points:

00:04 Introduction and Welcome

01:24 Introducing the Guest: Ameer Baraka

02:42 Ameer's Early Life and Struggles

04:55 Ameer's Journey into Crime and Drug Addiction

08:42 Ameer's Incarceration and Self-Realization

09:17 Ameer's Path to Literacy and Self-Improvement

14:32 Ameer's Advocacy for Early Dyslexia Screening

19:48 Ameer's Role in the First Step Act

23:30 Ameer's Views on Education and Society

27:04 Experiencing the System: Personal Insights

27:18 The State of Education: A Critical Look

29:12 The Power of Mentorship: Personal Stories

32:06 The Impact of Incarceration: A Discussion

37:22 The Power of Literacy: A Personal Journey

42:22 The Future of Literacy: A Vision

44:28 The Power of Storytelling: A Personal Mission

46:57 The Role of Literacy in Society: A Discussion

49:32 The Power of Literacy: A Call to Action

50:47 Conclusion: The Journey Ahead

In this episode of the Literacy Leadership Change-makers miniseries, hosts Dr. Terrie Noland, Dr. Tracy Weeden, Dr. Tim Odegard and Linda Diamond converse with Resha Conroy, the founder of the Dyslexia Alliance for Black Children. As a mother of two children with learning disabilities, Resha shares her journey of fighting for her children’s education and breaking from the low expectations set for black students. The discussion dives deep into transformative literacy, the importance of evidence-based reading instruction, and the need for literacy and equity to go hand in hand for inclusive education and societal transformation. The hosts and Resha also explore the critical role of parents and the community in advocating for equitable access to education and literacy resources.

Key Points:

00:00 Introduction to Literacy Leadership Change-makers Miniseries

00:30 Highlighting the Parent Perspective in Literacy Movement

00:58 Introducing Resha Conroy: A Powerful Voice in Literacy Transformation

02:00 Resha's Personal Journey to Becoming an Education Advocate

04:41 The Formation of Dyslexia Alliance for Black Children

06:28 The Impact of Reading Challenges on Resha's Family

12:34 The Systemic Nature of Reading Challenges and the Role of Parents

14:31 The Historical Perspective of Literacy and Its Impact on Black Children

17:23 The Importance of Literacy in Achieving Equity

19:33 The Role of Parents and Community in Advocating for Literacy

20:34 The Need for Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction in Schools

25:23 The Importance of Asking the Right Questions as a Parent

29:25 The Political Struggle for Education Reform

31:05 The Power of Advocacy and Community Action

31:58 The Concept of Floating Schools: Immediate Solutions for Literacy

33:26 The Importance of Immediate Action and Systemic Change

34:51 The Generational Impact of Illiteracy

36:28 The Power of Literacy in Transforming Lives

44:03 The Role of Literacy in Accessing Systems and Resources

46:18 The Importance of Celebrating Cultural Diversity in Education

49:42 The Power of Resilience and Determination in Overcoming Challenges

52:14 The Role of Faith and Hope in Driving Change

54:24 Conclusion: The Need for Community Catalysts in Education

This episode features an impassioned discussion with Sonya Thomas, the executive director of Nashville Propel, known for her fierce advocacy in the field of literacy transformation. She shares her personal struggle with her son being unable to read at grade level, pushing her towards transforming parental literacy advocacy and founding Nashville PROPEL, a Nashville, TN group that organizes and develops powerful parent leaders that demand equitable education policies and practices.

Engaging in a symphony of voices advocating for literacy leadership, Sonya voices her anger and determination to change the systemic failures of the educational system. Mentioning literacy as a broader societal issue, not limited by race, color or creed, Sonya specifically empathizes with parents’ struggles. The episode encourages listeners to champion the rights of all children to read through collective advocacy and calls for a deeper understanding of literacy beyond quick-fix solutions.

00:04 Introduction: The Power of Literacy Transformation

00:52 Meet the Panel: Advocacy and Community in Literacy Leadership

01:54 Guest Spotlight: Sonya Thomas and Nashville Propel

02:39 Sonya's Personal Journey: The Fight for Literacy

04:57 The Impact of Illiteracy: A Personal Perspective

05:45 The Birth of Nashville Propel: A Movement for Change

06:41 The Betrayal of the Education System: A Parent's Perspective

07:44 The Emotional Damage of Illiteracy: A Call to Action

08:51 The Power of Parent Advocacy: Building a Movement

09:10 The Struggle for Academic Achievement in the Black Community

11:34 The Right to Read: A Human Rights Issue

13:32 The Role of Parents in Literacy Advocacy

15:41 The Importance of Reading: A Life-Changing Skill

16:48 The State of Literacy in Nashville: A Call for Accountability

23:31 The Role of Leadership in Literacy Advocacy

27:52 The Dirty Secret of Illiteracy

28:55 Channeling Passion into Constructive Outcomes

29:15 The Role of Parents and Educators in Literacy

30:11 The Struggle of Reading and Poor Instruction

30:59 The Pain of Dyslexia and Dystaughtia

33:18 The Fight for Literacy: A Personal Journey

35:11 The Importance of Educating Educators

37:55 The Power of Storytelling in Advocacy

46:28 The Struggles of Parents and the Socioeconomic Problem

49:58 The Importance of Data and Understanding Reading

52:16 The Role of Nashville Propel in Literacy Advocacy

54:20 Closing Remarks

In this episode of our Change-makers podcast miniseries, Dr. Terrie Noland is joined by co-hosts Linda Diamond, Dr. Tracy White Weeden, and Dr. Tim Odegard to converse with guest Dr. Stephanie Stollar. Dr. Stollar discusses how we should educate pre-service teachers about the science of reading. She stresses on the 'silo-effect' and the importance of integrating teaching approaches within universities to better align with current research and effective teaching methodologies. The episode additionally explores policy changes as potential enablers to adapt science-oriented approaches in higher education. The conversation delves into the complexities of teacher training, the reality of the classroom environment, and understanding the difference in qualitative and quantitative research to help accelerate student outcomes. The participants also debate how universities need to play a more active role in creating teachers who can systematically apply teaching methodologies that have shown proven results from scientific research.

Key Points:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:51 Introducing the Special Guest

02:43 The Disconnect in Higher Education

03:50 The Role of Higher Education in Developing Quality Educators

06:39 The Importance of Engaging with Research Literature

07:22 The Liability of Lack of Engagement with Empirical Research

09:31 The Role of Qualitative Research in Education

11:41 The Impact of Personal Philosophy on Teaching Reading

13:28 The Role of Higher Education in Preventing Educator Failure

30:01 The Role of Policy in Higher Education

36:52 The Importance of Setting People Up for Success

37:54 The Need for Integration of Initiatives at the State Level

38:38 Engaging Universities in the Education Process

39:26 The Role of Communication in Education

40:31 The Power of Partnerships in Education

41:42 The Impact of University Education on Teacher Training

42:19 The Importance of Infrastructure for Change in Education

43:20 The Role of Policy in Changing Teacher Preparation

45:35 The Need for Acceleration in University Education

56:05 The Challenge of Accessing Academic Content for Teachers

01:06:28 The Role of In-Service Professional Development in Building Teacher Knowledge

01:08:54 The Importance of Community in Literacy Leadership

In this episode of the Change-makers podcast miniseries from Learning Ally, literacy experts discuss strategies, opportunities, and challenges in improving literacy for multilingual learners. The discussion is led by co-hosts Linda Diamond, Dr. Terrie Noland, Dr. Tracy Weeden, and Dr. Tim Odegard, as they talk with featured guest Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan, a bilingual expert and literacy advocate. The conversation delves into the importance of literacy for multilingual learners, the role of educators in creating an inclusive and enriching learning environment, and strategies to effectively teach reading to multilingual learners. They also address the need for effective screening, assessment, and early, targeted intervention in literacy education for multilingual learners. Additionally, the complexities of aligning the science of reading to the needs of multilingual learners are discussed, with a focus on the challenges and potential solutions for implementing evidence-based practices in classrooms.

Key Points:

00:04 Introduction to Literacy Transformation

00:57 Introducing the Guest Speaker: Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan

02:25 Understanding the Science of Reading for Multilingual Learners

04:53 The Importance of Oral Language Proficiency in Literacy

05:43 The Role of Phoneme Awareness in Multilingual Learning

06:33 The Impact of Vocabulary and Comprehension on Multilingual Learning

06:49 The Importance of Evidence-Based Practices in Multilingual Learning

07:41 Specific Considerations for Improving Literacy Outcomes for Multilingual Learners

08:58 The Role of Phoneme Awareness in Multilingual Learning

11:00 The Importance of Fluency and Vocabulary in Multilingual Learning

16:02 The Challenges and Barriers to Implementing Multilingual Learning Practices

19:29 Effective and Appropriate Ways to Assess and Screen Multilingual Learners

26:43 The Importance of Data in Multilingual Learning

29:16 Finding Common Ground Between Advocates of Multilingual Students and the Science of Reading

33:14 Discussing Change Management and Social Contracts

33:45 The Role of Grassroots Activism in Social Change

34:35 Personal and Professional Lessons from Activism

35:36 The Importance of Community Involvement in Change

37:50 The Impact of Literacy on Job Opportunities

39:11 The Role of AI in the Knowledge Economy

40:13 The Power of Partnerships in Achieving Goals

40:32 The Importance of Individual Action in Change

41:22 The Role of Leadership in Community Change

41:53 The Importance of Involving Others in Change

42:36 The Role of Literacy in Community Development

44:51 The Challenges of Marginalized Communities

51:03 The Importance of Early Intervention in Literacy

51:59 The Impact of Legislation on Literacy Education

52:36 The Role of Technology in Addressing Literacy Gaps

59:16 The Importance of Parental Involvement in Literacy Education

01:04:02 Closing Remarks and Reflections on Literacy Leadership

In this insightful episode, we dive deep into the journey of literacy transformation with Dr. Robert Sahli, Assistant Superintendent in Lodi Unified School District, California. The discussion covers a range of topics like the importance of phonemic awareness and phonics, the impact of coaching and continuous professional development, and the importance of early interventions and systematic instructions. Dr. Sahli also talks about the challenges of the pandemic and how it impacted the education system and how he navigated through it by using technology and virtual training for teachers. There are also discussions about the importance of English Language learner institutes and the approaches taken to improve literacy proficiency among multi-language learners.

Key Points

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:08 Introducing the Guest Speaker

01:38 In-depth Discussion with Dr. Robert Sahli

02:42 Understanding Lodi Unified School District

05:06 Implementing the Science of Reading Process

06:01 Overcoming Challenges during the Pandemic

07:18 Expanding the Reading Program

07:31 Addressing the Teacher Shortage

10:11 Improving Literacy Outcomes for Multilingual Learners

14:17 Addressing the Needs of Migrant Students

16:10 The Importance of Ongoing Professional Development

17:08 The Impact of COVID-19 on Literacy Outcomes

18:49 The Importance of Early Literacy Assessment

19:50 The Role of Administrators in Literacy Transformation

19:50 The Role of Coaches in Literacy Transformation

36:04 The Importance of Family Engagement in Literacy

38:51 The Importance of Knowledge for Administrators

47:20 Avoiding Initiative Overload

48:22 The Importance of Ongoing Coaching and Support

52:14 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode, guest Dr. Rebecca Tolson shares her valuable insights on literacy leadership, transformation, and the importance of professional development. She emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to literacy, incorporating structured literacy, and stresses the importance of coaching and support for teachers' growth. The need for decision-making based on a balance of qualitative and quantitative data, as well as the elimination of silos in education systems, is also discussed. Rebecca also highlights some practical examples of leadership and change within Ohio's educational landscape. The discussion concludes with thoughts on the importance of empowering teachers and students, particularly in marginalized communities.

00:04 Introduction and Welcome

01:45 Introducing the Guest Speaker

03:30 Guest Speaker's Journey in Literacy Education

05:55 The Importance of Professional Development in Literacy

09:51 The Role of Screening and Intervention in Literacy Education

24:37 The Importance of Leadership in Literacy Transformation

30:26 The Role of Compliance and Passion in Literacy Education

32:31 The Importance of Emotional Connection in Teaching

32:55 The Role of Superintendents in Education

33:29 The Power of Data in Education

33:51 Addressing Defiance in the Classroom

34:59 The Need for a Structured Approach in Multilingual Education

35:58 The Journey of Teaching and Learning

36:11 The Importance of Oral Language and Listening Comprehension

37:11 The Role of Professional Development in Education

37:59 The Importance of Small Steps in Teaching

38:27 The Challenges of Teaching Writing

39:41 The Role of Data in Education

43:44 The Importance of Accountability in Education

44:48 The Role of Effective Professional Development and Coaching

53:41 The Importance of Triangulating Data in Education

56:07 The Role of Leadership in Education

58:16 The Importance of Literacy for Life

58:43 The Impact of Qualitative Conditions on Teachers

01:03:05 Closing Remarks and Reflections

In this episode, Dr. Michelle Rodriguez discusses her work as Superintendent of Pajaro Valley Unified School District in transforming literacy education. She shares how implementing targeted literacy programs, committing administrators to learning, and directly working with teachers and the community have led to major improvements. The discussion focuses on the district's success with systemic programs to make reading skills automatic, while emphasizing the vital roles of piloting to scale, consistency, sustainability, and using data to validate effectiveness.