In this episode, we’re joined by Nicky Humphreys and Ally Lewis, the founding members of Dyslexia Awareness Northern Ireland, for a transatlantic talk on dyslexia.

Nicky Humphreys did her PGCE Primary in 2004/05; in 2016, she commenced a postgraduate diploma in teaching literacy to learners with dyslexia/SpLD through the Northern Ireland Dyslexia Centre. She worked as a tutor for the Centre in Belfast for a few years before setting up her own small business teaching children in her local area and working with her local schools. Her professional body is PATOSS. She is married to Marshall and they have three children. She loves spring/summer and holidays. 

Ally Lewis is a former pediatric and neonatal nurse who transitioned into education after having children. Her personal journey into literacy advocacy began when her son struggled with reading and spelling in early primary school. Frustrated by the lack of support and resources in Northern Ireland, Ally pursued structured literacy training in Belfast. Since then, she has become a passionate advocate for children with dyslexia, offering support to families and working one-on-one with students in schools.

Together, along with Jodi Snowdon (who now works for NESSY), Nicky and Ally founded the Facebook page and advocacy group in Northern Ireland, DANI (Dyslexia Awareness Northern Ireland).

Resources mentioned in this episode:

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Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!

If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.

For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom. 

We're looking for topic and guest suggestions for season 4 of the Together in Literacy Podcast! Let us know what you want to hear this season!

Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!

In this episode, Casey Welsh, of Savannah Dyslexia, joins us to answer the most important questions about morphology.

Casey Welsh is an Accredited Training Fellow with OGA and has her M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction, focusing on Dyslexia Studies & Language-Based Learning Disabilities. She is the CEO of Savannah Dyslexia, a private practice in Savannah, GA, focused on providing OG intervention, professional development courses for classroom teachers, and mentoring trainees through training and practicum for OGA Associate, Certified, and Fellow level credentials. As a mom of two dyslexic sons, Casey has a deep belief in the impact of the Orton-Gillingham approach on students’ lives and a drive to ensure more teachers and interventionists are empowered with the knowledge and tools to reach more students. 

We are so grateful to have Casey join us to share her advice and practical tips for infusing morphology thoughtfully and effectively into our O-G lessons.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

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If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!

Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!

If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.

For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom. 

We're looking for topic and guest suggestions for season 4 of the Together in Literacy Podcast! Let us know what you want to hear this season!

Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!

Have you ever had a student who knows a concept in the first moments of the lesson, but the next time it pops up, it’s as if they had never seen it before? You may wonder what is happening and what you can do to help. This may happen for several reasons, but it should cause us to pause and think - and that is what this episode is all about! We’re discussing the transfer of learning or knowledge. 

In this episode, we’ll explore:

Resources mentioned in this episode:

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If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!

Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!

If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.

For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom. 

We're looking for topic and guest suggestions for season 4 of the Together in Literacy Podcast! Let us know what you want to hear this season!

Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!

In this episode, we are highlighting the vital role of bringing student awareness and attention to the forefront in effective dyslexia lessons. Grounded in cognitive science research, we discuss how intentional focus and metacognition can enhance learning outcomes for students with dyslexia. From building foundational skills in reading and writing to strengthening comprehension and retention, guiding students to engage with their learning process actively is key to unlocking their full potential.

We share how we integrated these strategies into our lessons. Plus, we share practical techniques and tools that can be easily implemented to foster attention, boost memory, and support deeper understanding.

Whether you're a teacher, therapist, parent, or advocate, this episode is packed with insights to help you empower your students and make a lasting impact on their learning journey. 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

We officially have merch! Show your love for the Together in Literacy podcast!

If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!

Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!

If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.

For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom. 

We're looking for topic and guest suggestions for season 4 of the Together in Literacy Podcast! Let us know what you want to hear this season!

Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!

In this episode, we’re sharing the second part of our interview with Missy Purcell. In this conversation, we look at what drives her dedication and discuss the impact of effective intervention and the power of community in shaping literacy success. Whether you're a teacher seeking better strategies, a parent looking for hope, or a student finding your way, this conversation will inspire and equip you with the tools to move forward. We’ll be back with the second half of the interview in two weeks!

Missy holds a degree in middle school education with 15 + years of experience in the classroom, specializing in inclusion. She is both a speaker and a passionate advocate for the science of reading. After successfully advocating for her dyslexic son’s right to read, Missy devoted the bulk of her time volunteering to support countless families of kids with learning differences. 

Missy is co-founder of Gwinnett Advocates for Dyslexia, a grassroots organization that advocates for evidence-based instruction in Gwinnett County. Additionally, she serves as the Education Chair with Decoding Dyslexia Georgia, DDGA, which advocates for change at the state level. Recently, she co-founded The Science of Reading for Advocates, which aims to resource and equip leaders committed to ensuring every child can read. 

Missy is married to Mark, the mother of three boys, Harrison, William, and Matthew, and two furbabies, Barkley and Bauer. When she’s not working or advocating, she can be found with coffee in hand at a band concert or at the baseball fields cheering on her boys!

Keep in touch with Missy! You can find her on Instagram and Facebook, or check out her website, misspurcell.com.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

We officially have merch! Show your love for the Together in Literacy podcast!

If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!

Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!

If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.

For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom. 

We're looking for topic and guest suggestions for season 4 of the Together in Literacy Podcast! Let us know what you want to hear this season!

Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!

In this episode, we’re sharing the first part of our interview with Missy Purcell. In this conversation, we look at what drives her dedication and discuss the impact of effective intervention and the power of community in shaping literacy success. Whether you're a teacher seeking better strategies, a parent looking for hope, or a student finding your way, this conversation will inspire and equip you with the tools to move forward. We’ll be back with the second half of the interview in two weeks!

Missy holds a degree in middle school education with 15 + years of experience in the classroom, specializing in inclusion. She is both a speaker and a passionate advocate for the science of reading. After successfully advocating for her dyslexic son’s right to read, Missy devoted the bulk of her time volunteering to support countless families of kids with learning differences. 

Missy is co-founder of Gwinnett Advocates for Dyslexia, a grassroots organization that advocates for evidence-based instruction in Gwinnett County. Additionally, she serves as the Education Chair with Decoding Dyslexia Georgia, DDGA, which advocates for change at the state level. Recently, she co-founded The Science of Reading for Advocates, which aims to resource and equip leaders committed to ensuring every child can read. 

Missy is married to Mark, the mother of three boys, Harrison, William, and Matthew, and two furbabies, Barkley and Bauer. When she’s not working or advocating, she can be found with coffee in hand at a band concert or at the baseball fields cheering on her boys!

Keep in touch with Missy! You can find her on Instagram and Facebook, or check out her website, misspurcell.com.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

We officially have merch! Show your love for the Together in Literacy podcast!

If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!

Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!

If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.

For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom. 

We're looking for topic and guest suggestions for season 4 of the Together in Literacy Podcast! Let us know what you want to hear this season!

Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!

To follow up on our interview with Tiffany Solomon in episode 10, we brought her back with another special guest, Helaine Schupack. Helaine has played an instrumental role in Tiffany’s life as she navigated her education with dyslexia.

Helaine Schupack is one of the founding Fellows of the Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA), which was founded in 1995 and now has over 3,800 members. Her mission to help individuals with dyslexia receive the interventions they need to thrive eventually expanded to her joining forces with the Orton Society (now the International Dyslexia Association) when it formed its Teacher Training Initiative. She’s been the recipient of the Massachusetts Branch of the International Dyslexia Association’s Alice Garside award. 

Helaine is one of Rhode Island’s abiding champions in the field of dyslexia and was awarded the first Decoding Dyslexia Legacy Award.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

We officially have merch! Show your love for the Together in Literacy podcast!

If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!

Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!

If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.

For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom. 

We're looking for topic and guest suggestions for season 4 of the Together in Literacy Podcast! Let us know what you want to hear this season!

Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!

In this episode, we’re joined by Tiffany Solomon to discuss the ripple effects of dyslexia, and how it impacts not just the classroom but also shapes lives, families, and the workplace.

Tiffany Solomon is the Family and Student Engagement Coordinator for Decoding Dyslexia Rhode Island, an Associate member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA), and was honored to serve as a Literacy Ambassador through the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) in 2019-2020.  She spent over a decade as a 2nd grade and kindergarten teacher at Highlander Charter School in Providence, Rhode Island. During this time, she was also a primary teaching member of Highlander’s weekly itinerant collaborative meetings, where she worked with the special education support team to implement specialized, evidenced-based strategies within her classroom to ensure success for students who learn differently. 

Tiffany holds a Master’s degree in Education, Teaching, and Learning from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

We officially have merch! Show your love for the Together in Literacy podcast!

If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!

Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!

If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.

For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom. 

We're looking for topic and guest suggestions for season 4 of the Together in Literacy Podcast! Let us know what you want to hear this season!

Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!

Working with older students with dyslexia presents unique challenges due to their complex needs and gaps in foundational literacy skills. These students are often overlooked in broader conversations about the Science of Reading (SOR) and Social-emotional Learning (SEL), with most resources tailored to younger learners.

In this episode, we’re providing diagnostic and prescriptive advice for supporting older dyslexic students in educational and personal growth contexts.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

We officially have merch! Show your love for the Together in Literacy podcast!

If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!

Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!

If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.

For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom. 

We're looking for topic and guest suggestions for season 4 of the Together in Literacy Podcast! Let us know what you want to hear this season!

Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!

The diagnostic-prescriptive approach to teaching clinically focuses directly on the student. This includes knowledge about the strengths and needs of a student, and this information is gathered through assessments or diagnostic measures that let a teacher diagnose their student’s academic abilities. In turn, the teacher uses this information to prescribe an appropriate course of action, which includes prescribing or ordering sequential learning tasks that enable a student to reach a given goal. From their observations, teachers then implement prescriptions that remediate difficulties. 

In this episode, we discuss a powerful approach to teaching that is driven by the knowledge of the students and anchored in the Ortonian and Structured Literacy principles. We are talking about The Art and Science of Prescriptive and Diagnostic Teaching.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

We officially have merch! Show your love for the Together in Literacy podcast!

If you like this episode, please take a few minutes to rate, review, and subscribe. Your support and encouragement are so appreciated!

Have a question you’d like us to cover in a future episode of Together in Literacy? Email us at [email protected]!

If you’d like more from Together in Literacy, you can check out our website, Together in Literacy, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

For more from Emily, check out The Literacy Nest.

For more from Casey, check out The Dyslexia Classroom. 

We're looking for topic and guest suggestions for season 4 of the Together in Literacy Podcast! Let us know what you want to hear this season!

Thank you for listening and joining us in this exciting and educational journey into dyslexia as we come together in literacy!