The Phenomenal Student Podcast

Phenomenal Conversations W/Mr. Short 🎙️ | Jeanne Schopf

Last week, I had the opportunity to sit down with Jeanne Schopf, author of Reading Isn't Optional, to discuss her journey in education, what led her to rethink her instructional approach, and the inspiration behind writing Reading Isn't Optional.

Join us for an insightful conversation about reading instruction, fostering a love of reading, and how we can help more students become successful readers.

📚 Get your copy of Reading Isn't Optional:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GGCSSDV1

🎧 Tune in and let us know your biggest takeaway!

Be Phenomenal,

Mr. Short

In this episode of Phenomenal Conversations W/Mr. Short, I sit down with renowned literacy researcher Dr. Kay Wijekumar to explore the Knowledge Acquisition and Transformation (KAT) Framework and what it means for today's classrooms.

We discuss how students develop deep reading comprehension, the importance of building knowledge, explicit instruction, text structures, and vocabulary. Dr. Wijekumar also shares insights from her decades of research, practical strategies educators can implement immediately, and her perspective on using technology and AI to enhance—not replace—effective literacy instruction.

Whether you're a classroom teacher, instructional coach, administrator, or literacy leader, this conversation is packed with research-based ideas that can strengthen reading comprehension and improve student outcomes.

Be Phenomenal,

Mr. Short

#PhenomenalConversations #ScienceOfReading #ReadingComprehension #KATFramework #Literacy #Education #EdChat #Teachers #ProfessionalLearning

It was a pleasure to welcome Amy Siracusano to Phenomenal Conversations W/Mr. Short!

In this episode, we discuss her journey in education, the important role handwriting plays in literacy development, what she believes is still missing from the Science of Literacy conversation, and her upcoming book. Amy also shares practical insights that educators can immediately apply in their classrooms while offering a broader perspective on comprehensive literacy instruction.

Whether you're a classroom teacher, literacy coach, or school leader, this conversation is packed with thoughtful ideas and actionable takeaways.

If you enjoy the episode, don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with leaders in literacy and education!

#ScienceOfLiteracy #Handwriting #Literacy #Education #ReadingInstruction #WritingInstruction #PhenomenalConversations #ThePhenomenalStudent

🎙️ Phenomenal Spotlight W/Mr. Short: TX Writing L.L.C.

A huge thank you to Candice and Audrey for joining the podcast and sharing the story behind TX Writing L.L.C. We discussed how their approach differs from The Writing Revolution, the needs they’re seeing in classrooms, and what they hope to accomplish moving forward.

Great conversation, practical insights, and a shared commitment to improving writing instruction for students.

Learn more about TX Writing L.L.C. here:🔗 https://texaswritingrevolution.org/

#PhenomenalSpotlight #WritingInstruction #Literacy #Education #ThePhenomenalStudent

🎙️ Phenomenal Conversations W/ Mr. Short: Lyn Stone 🎙️

I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with international literacy expert Lyn Stone! 🌏 We took a deep dive into her incredible career and her unwavering focus on what literacy truly means for life outcomes. 📚✨

In this full interview, we explore a variety of critical topics in the literacy world and get an exclusive look at her upcoming book, "Foundations for Life." 📖 You won't want to miss the gems she shared! 💎

Stay Phenomenal,

Mr. Short

#ScienceOfReading #LiteracyForAll #FoundationsForLife #EducationMatters #ThePhenomenalStudent

Another Phenomenal Conversation W/Mr. Short 🎙️

I had the opportunity to sit down with Jan Hasbrouck to discuss her incredible journey in education—from her early career beginnings to her work in higher education and her impact on the Science of Reading movement.

We also discussed the importance of mentorship, including a special moment where she shared about mentoring Angie Hanlin early in her career.

This conversation was filled with insight, reflection, and wisdom from one of literacy’s most respected voices.

📚 Educators, literacy leaders, and interventionists—you won’t want to miss this one.

#PhenomenalConversation #ScienceOfReading #Literacy #Education #JanHasbrouck #PhenomenalStudent

Part 2 of my conversation with Angie Hanlin, co-author of It’s Possible, is now live.

In this segment, we dive into Angie’s journey beyond the classroom—from teacher to instructional coach, administrator, and consultant—and how those experiences shaped her perspective on leadership, literacy, and what it truly takes to move systems forward. We also discuss key ideas from her new book and what it means to create conditions where student success is not just hoped for, but expected.

Grateful for the opportunity to learn from and share the work of educators who continue to impact the field at multiple levels.

Be Phenomenal,
Mr. Short

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Its-Possible-Implementing-Instruction-proficiency/dp/1958590932/ref=sr_1_1?crid=X5DLAWQC587Y&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jc2Bufp9ry-BRsVVaSfbj9Ug3izS92-730CQXkXEC2VnPjwesg_BwabNP-GCmoX9qRzLYtZLs1HhTQbIfGymCLsI3EpsVnVwH5qTI3d6L7d9NR1BuZ-y9P4pj_z-lNjJo_ru-ybYtDYkrTDd59_x9O-1_hGcG-psjJ341nqBstWQdN0c2WYGwKgcnQSve4vwJRhpawVmxnFi5w_S2khQaqSbUAeTailzYBRz6d5nWqw.tIFbDJ23Sy8mjbpmnWMuW2Z-7DPRNcJKFoGYfGwj5r0&dib_tag=se&keywords=it%27s+possible&qid=1770996006&sprefix=it%27s+possible%2Caps%2C218&sr=8-1

Phenomenal Conversations w/ Mr. Short: Angie Hanlin 🎙️

Back in December, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Angie Hanlin, co-author of It’s Possible, for a great conversation that lasted nearly two hours. Because of the length, I decided to split the interview into two parts.

There were a few lag issues in the recording, but I was able to clean it up using the app Descript, which helped remove delays and improve the overall quality.

I hope you enjoy Part 1, and be on the lookout for Part 2 this Thursday.

Be Phenomenal,
Mr. Short

In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Stephanie Stollar to discuss her journey into education and leadership, her early career experiences, and the work that led her to become a national voice in Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).

We dive deeply into:

• The 3 tiers of instruction and what each tier is truly designed to do

• Why Tier 1 instruction is the foundation of the entire system

• Common misunderstandings schools have about MTSS

• How systems, data, and instruction must align for MTSS to work

• Practical advice for teachers and leaders implementing MTSS in real classrooms

Dr. Stollar also shares insights from her book, MTSS Essentials, which provides a clear, actionable framework for building MTSS systems that are effective, sustainable, and student-centered.

📘 Learn more about her book here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1681253470

This conversation is a must-listen for teachers, instructional coaches, campus leaders, and district administrators looking to move beyond compliance and toward impact-driven MTSS implementation.

Be Phenomenal, Mr. Short

I had the privilege of sitting down with Shannon Anderson—award-winning children’s author, nationally recognized educator, and creative force behind some of today’s most uplifting classroom reads.

We explored her newest works, including:
📘 I Love Blueberries!
🧡 B Is for Belonging
🏡 Do-It-Yourself Dollhouse
🕊️ The expanding Scooter the Word Bird series

Our conversation dug into the heart of what kids need most right now: belonging, confidence-building, growth mindset, and strong communication skills.

We even took a deep dive into a shared passion of ours—how underperforming G/T students are often misunderstood, overlooked, and how educators can better nurture their brilliance.

Shannon brought warmth, clarity, and practical wisdom to every moment of the interview. I can’t wait to share this episode of The Phenomenal Student Podcast with you soon.

Stay tuned.
Be Phenomenal,
Mr. Short