Literacy Talks

In this episode of Literacy Talks, we dive into the Structured Literacy Infomap, a powerful tool designed to align educators on the principles and practices of effective literacy instruction. Hosts Stacy Hurst, Donell Pons, and Lindsay Kemeny explore how this visual framework supports professional development, bridges gaps between teacher knowledge and practice, and enhances reading and writing instruction. From phonemic awareness to morphology, syllable structure to orthographic conventions, our hosts break down key components of Structured Literacy and discuss practical strategies for integrating them into the classroom.

Whether you're a seasoned educator or just beginning your literacy journey, this episode offers valuable insights to help you navigate the road to literacy success.

Note: If you're viewing the online version of the Perspectives issue, the article referenced in this episode starts on page 32.

Episode Resources

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Core Instruction and Reading Intervention. One System. One Path Forward.

From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend®️ gives educators a consistent, needs-based approach to literacy—helping every teacher deliver the right instruction and every student build lasting mastery, one skill at a time. Coherent literacy for lasting impact.

See how Ascend works.

Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting?
Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now.

Join Literacy Talks hosts Stacy Hurst, Donell Pons, and Lindsay Kemeny as they dive into their favorite moments from the 2025 Plain Talk Conference! In this special bonus episode, they reflect on what makes this conference a must-attend event, from the inspiring keynotes to the camaraderie among educators. They also break down key takeaways from their favorite sessions, highlighting powerful insights on comprehension, writing, fluency, and the science of reading. Plus, don’t miss hearing about all of the free resources shared by presenters—practical tools you can start using right away!

Whether you attended Plain Talk or not, this episode will leave you energized and equipped with valuable literacy strategies.

Show Notes & Resources

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Core Instruction and Reading Intervention. One System. One Path Forward.

From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend®️ gives educators a consistent, needs-based approach to literacy—helping every teacher deliver the right instruction and every student build lasting mastery, one skill at a time. Coherent literacy for lasting impact.

See how Ascend works.

Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting?
Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now.

This episode invites you into an eye-opening conversation about transforming reading instruction. Host Stacy Hurst, along with co-hosts Donnell Pons and Lindsay Kemeny, sits down with literacy expert Margaret Goldberg to challenge the outdated practice of three cueing—a method that once dominated classrooms but falls short of scientific backing. Margaret shares her personal journey from the challenges of remote teaching during the pandemic to pioneering research partnerships that underscore the power of structured literacy and systematic phonics. Discover how bridging the gap between theory and classroom practice can empower educators, enhance student reading outcomes, and reshape our approach to literacy education.

Tune in for a candid discussion that not only questions old methods but also lights the way for innovative, evidence-based teaching practices.

💬 Want more insights like this?
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Core Instruction and Reading Intervention. One System. One Path Forward.

From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend®️ gives educators a consistent, needs-based approach to literacy—helping every teacher deliver the right instruction and every student build lasting mastery, one skill at a time. Coherent literacy for lasting impact.

See how Ascend works.

Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting?
Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now.

In this episode of Literacy Talks, we dive into the essential question: Why is Structured Literacy critical for all learners?

Hosts Stacy Hurst, Donell Pons, and Lindsay Kemeny explore research-backed reasons why explicit, systematic reading instruction is the most effective way to support students—especially those who struggle. They discuss the life-changing consequences of reading failure, the importance of well-trained educators, and the role Structured Literacy plays in promoting equity in education.

Tune in for an insightful, passionate conversation that reinforces why literacy is a right, not a privilege.

💬 Want more insights like this?
Subscribe to the Literacy Talks Podcast Digest for episode recaps, resources, and teaching takeaways delivered straight to your inbox!

Core Instruction and Reading Intervention. One System. One Path Forward.

From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend®️ gives educators a consistent, needs-based approach to literacy—helping every teacher deliver the right instruction and every student build lasting mastery, one skill at a time. Coherent literacy for lasting impact.

See how Ascend works.

Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting?
Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now.

For decades, we've had the research, the science, and the strategies to teach every child how to read—so why has it taken so long to put them into practice? 🤔

In this must-listen episode of Literacy Talks, we welcome Dr. David Hurford, Editor-in-Chief of Perspectives on Language and Literacy, to discuss the latest issue focusing on Structured Literacy and its critical role in reading instruction.

We dive into:
✅ The biggest myths holding back effective reading instruction
✅ Why Structured Literacy isn’t just for striving readers—it’s for EVERY reader
✅ The movement pushing states and schools to finally adopt science-based reading practices

If you’ve ever asked, Why aren’t we just teaching reading the way science tells us to?, this episode is for you. 🎧

💬 Want more insights like this?
Subscribe to the Literacy Talks Podcast Digest for episode recaps, resources, and teaching takeaways delivered straight to your inbox!

Core Instruction and Reading Intervention. One System. One Path Forward.

From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend®️ gives educators a consistent, needs-based approach to literacy—helping every teacher deliver the right instruction and every student build lasting mastery, one skill at a time. Coherent literacy for lasting impact.

See how Ascend works.

Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting?
Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now.

This season opener of Literacy Talks dives into the foundational elements of structured literacy, inspired by the International Dyslexia Association's 75th Anniversary issue of Perspectives on Language and Literacy. Hosts Stacy Hurst, Lindsay Kemeny, and Donell Pons explore the insights of Barbara Wilson and Jessica Hammond on how structured literacy, grounded in the science of reading, is transforming classrooms. Whether you’re new to the concept or a seasoned educator, join us for an engaging discussion designed to inspire and equip you with tools to champion effective literacy instruction.

💬 Want more insights like this?
Subscribe to the Literacy Talks Podcast Digest for episode recaps, resources, and teaching takeaways delivered straight to your inbox!

Core Instruction and Reading Intervention. One System. One Path Forward.

From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend®️ gives educators a consistent, needs-based approach to literacy—helping every teacher deliver the right instruction and every student build lasting mastery, one skill at a time. Coherent literacy for lasting impact.

See how Ascend works.

Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting?
Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now.

This bonus episode of Literacy Talks recaps the Bright Beginnings pre-service teacher conference. Hosted by Stacy Hurst and featuring insights from a panel of esteemed educators, Lori Anderson, Stephanie Edgren, Dr. Vicki Piquette, and Papae Wymore, the episode delves into the key sessions and takeaways from the conference. 

Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on empowering pre-service teachers with the latest research and best practices in literacy instruction, from foundational skills to engaging and motivating learners. The episode highlights the collaborative spirit of the science of reading community and the passion shared by the committee in equipping the next generation of literacy champions.

SHOW NOTES
Resources:

• Bright Beginnings Session Recordings Links
• The Reading League

Literacy Leaders:

• Lori Anderson
  • Facebook - Lori Raquel Anderson
• Stephanie Edgren
  • X - @StephanieEdgren
  • Facebook - Stephanie Grayson Edgren
  • Instagram - @mrs.edgren
  • LinkedIn - Stephanie Edgren
  • Bluesky - @edgrens.bsky.social
• Dr. Vicki Piquette
  • Facebook - Vicki Piquette
• Papae Wymore
  • X - @PapaeWymore
• Dr. Mitchell Brookins
• Dr. Holly Lane
• Dr. Devin Kearns
• Dr. Anita Archer
• Becky Pallone

💬 Want more insights like this?
Subscribe to the Literacy Talks Podcast Digest for episode recaps, resources, and teaching takeaways delivered straight to your inbox!

Core Instruction and Reading Intervention. One System. One Path Forward.

From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend®️ gives educators a consistent, needs-based approach to literacy—helping every teacher deliver the right instruction and every student build lasting mastery, one skill at a time. Coherent literacy for lasting impact.

See how Ascend works.

Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting?
Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now.

In our Season 6 finale, the hosts dive deep into an article from The Reading League Journal that addresses common misunderstandings about the science of reading. They explore a range of topics, including the role of comprehension, the 95% claim, the debate between speech-to-print and print-to-speech, the necessity of learning spelling and syllable division rules, and the use of nonsense words in phonics instruction. 

Through insightful discussions and real-world examples, the hosts help clarify misconceptions and provide a nuanced understanding of the science of reading. Whether you're a seasoned educator or new to the field, this episode offers valuable insights to help you navigate the complexities and separate fact from fiction when it comes to effective reading instruction.

SHOW NOTES
Literacy Leaders:

• Sharon Vaughn
• Nathan Clemens
• Louisa Moats
• Devin Kearns

Resources:

• The Reading League Journal
• Narrowing the Third-Grade Reading Gap

💬 Want more insights like this?
Subscribe to the Literacy Talks Podcast Digest for episode recaps, resources, and teaching takeaways delivered straight to your inbox!

Core Instruction and Reading Intervention. One System. One Path Forward.

From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend®️ gives educators a consistent, needs-based approach to literacy—helping every teacher deliver the right instruction and every student build lasting mastery, one skill at a time. Coherent literacy for lasting impact.

See how Ascend works.

Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting?
Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now.

This episode of Literacy Talks focuses on the hosts' shared pet peeves related to literacy education. Donell expresses frustration with the persistent challenges around dyslexia awareness and support in schools. Stacy sometimes gets frustrated with the "checklist mentality" in teaching, where some pre-service teachers struggle to move beyond rigid requirements. Lindsay discusses her concerns about overcorrection in teaching high-frequency words and creating simplistic "black and white" lists categorizing educational practices. 

The hosts emphasize the importance of nuance, context, and supporting teachers with adequate time and resources to implement evidence-based literacy instruction effectively.

SHOW NOTES
Literacy Leaders:

• Katie Pace Miles
• Danielle Colenbrander

💬 Want more insights like this?
Subscribe to the Literacy Talks Podcast Digest for episode recaps, resources, and teaching takeaways delivered straight to your inbox!

Core Instruction and Reading Intervention. One System. One Path Forward.

From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend®️ gives educators a consistent, needs-based approach to literacy—helping every teacher deliver the right instruction and every student build lasting mastery, one skill at a time. Coherent literacy for lasting impact.

See how Ascend works.

Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting?
Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now.

This episode provides a powerful and inspiring look into the work of the Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation, which supports high school and college students with dyslexia who wish to pursue degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Co-founder Dr. Barbara Wirostko Morelli shares her personal story of navigating the challenges of dyslexia with her own son, Joseph, and the motivation behind creating the foundation in his memory. Listeners hear from scholarship recipient Amy Mabile and mentor Jake Sussman, who offer firsthand accounts of the life-changing impact of the foundation's mentorship, community support, and financial assistance. 

The episode delves into the unique obstacles students with dyslexia face in the education system, the importance of early intervention and proper documentation, and the power of resilience, self-advocacy, and finding one's voice to overcome adversity and achieve academic and personal success.

This is the final installment of the Literacy Talks miniseries Dyslexia Talks, hosted by Donell Pons.

SHOW NOTES
Literacy Leaders:

• Barbara Wirostko (Morelli)
• Jake Sussman

Resources:

• Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation
• Dyslexia: Tapping into the potential | Barbara Wirostko (Morelli), MD | TEDxBozeman
• Morelli Foundation Scholarship Program
• The Forgotten Child: A Poem Dedicated to the neurodiverse
• Superpower Mentors

💬 Want more insights like this?
Subscribe to the Literacy Talks Podcast Digest for episode recaps, resources, and teaching takeaways delivered straight to your inbox!

Core Instruction and Reading Intervention. One System. One Path Forward.

From Pre-K readiness to advanced fluency, Ascend®️ gives educators a consistent, needs-based approach to literacy—helping every teacher deliver the right instruction and every student build lasting mastery, one skill at a time. Coherent literacy for lasting impact.

See how Ascend works.

Do you teach Structured Literacy in a K–3 setting?
Sign up for a free license of Reading Horizons Discovery® LIVE and start teaching right away—no setup, no hassle. Sign-up Now.