If you've ever thought, "My students just can't write," this episode is for you.

Writing is one of the most misunderstood parts of literacy instruction — and often one of the most frustrating for teachers and students alike.

In today's conversation with Barbara Friedlander, we unpack what's really happening beneath the surface when students struggle with writing — and what actually makes a difference.

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This week on the podcast, I'm joined by educators from PS152Q in Queens to talk about what it really looks like to shift a school toward structured literacy. We dive into how their team moved away from practices that weren't serving all students and began building a literacy block grounded in explicit phonics, intentional routines, and strong Tier 1 instruction. What makes this conversation so powerful is that it's not theoretical—it's the story of teachers and leaders doing the hard work in real classrooms, navigating challenges, analyzing data, and watching students begin to thrive as instruction becomes clearer and more aligned.

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If your students can decode CVC words but completely shut down when they see fantastic or instruction, this episode is for you.

In today's conversation, we dig into what really helps students read multisyllabic words — and it's not just memorizing syllable types.

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In this episode, I sit down with speech-language pathologist Sydney Bassard to unpack one of the most powerful (and often misunderstood) tools in literacy instruction: spelling error analysis.

Together, we explore how spelling, reading, and writing are deeply interconnected—and why looking beyond percent correct can completely change how we support students.

Whether you're a classroom teacher, literacy coach, interventionist, or SLP, this conversation will help you see student spelling errors not as mistakes, but as meaningful data.

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In this episode, I'm joined by literacy researcher, former classroom teacher, and author Julia Lindsay for a powerful conversation about small group reading instruction—what works, what doesn't, and how we can rethink small groups in a way that actually supports students and teachers.

Julia shares insights from her brand-new book, Small Groups, Big Results, and brings clarity to one of the most debated topics in literacy right now.

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In today's episode, I sit down with the incredible Dr. Maria Murray, founder and CEO of The Reading League, to talk about one of the most consequential decisions schools make: choosing a reading curriculum. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by programs, sales pitches, reviews, or state requirements, this conversation is a breath of fresh air.

Dr. Murray shares her story—from researcher to reading scientist to starting The Reading League—and explains why knowledge-building and ongoing support are essential for schools implementing evidence-aligned reading instruction. Together, we unpack what curriculum decision-makers really need to know, what red flags to watch for, and why implementation matters just as much as the curriculum itself.

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In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to turn the Science of Reading into daily classroom practice. From observing other teachers, to tightening routines, to managing time inside overloaded programs, this conversation is all about building a literacy block that actually works.

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Understanding Dyslexia and Misconceptions

• What dyslexia actually is

• Why eligibility labels alone are not enough

• How co-occurring needs (like ADHD) influence support

• Why early identification matters

What Effective Support Looks Like

• Why intervention is not one-size-fits-all

• The myth of relying on brand-name programs instead of strong interventionists

• How to individualize minutes, intensity, and instructional needs

• Why waiting is the most damaging "intervention"

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Today, I am joined by the brilliant and beloved Elise Lovejoy, author of Express Readers, creator of high-quality decodables, longtime classroom teacher, and founder of The Teachers Table — a growing professional learning platform designed to give every educator access to vetted, practical, research-based literacy support.

In this episode, Elise shares her journey from classroom teacher to curriculum creator to entrepreneur, and opens up about the moment she realized teachers needed more than scattered resources and social media tips — they needed a trusted, community-centered space where research meets real classrooms.

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In this episode, we sit down with writing expert and longtime educator Amy Siracusano to unpack what early writing instruction should look like—and why so many teachers struggle with it. From handwriting and stroke formation to moving students from oral language to letters, words, and eventually sentences, Amy brings clarity to a process that often feels overwhelming in K–2 classrooms.

Together, we explore why writing has been left out of the Science of Reading conversation, how foundational skills set students up for success, and practical ways teachers can support young writers without frustration or shutdowns. Amy shares actionable steps, classroom routines, and scaffolds that make writing more accessible, especially for multilingual learners and students who need more explicit support.

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