Catholic School Leaders Podcast: Show Notes

Episode Title: Unlocking Literacy and Math Strategies with Linda Ryan (Part 2)

Host: John Mihalyo

Guest: Linda Rhyne, Literacy Consultant and Founder of Linda Rhyne Consulting

Episode Summary:

In this follow-up conversation with literacy expert Linda Rhyne, we continue our deep dive into effective literacy strategies for Catholic schools. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, check out Episode 47, where we laid the foundation for literacy success. In this episode, we expand the discussion to include math strategies, data-driven decision-making, and practical classroom applications that support comprehension across subjects.

Linda shares invaluable insights into how educators can leverage literacy skills to enhance student performance, not just in reading but in math and beyond. She also provides actionable strategies to ensure that data is being used effectively to inform instruction and support student growth. Whether you're a teacher, administrator, or parent, this episode is packed with practical takeaways you can implement immediately.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Data-Informed Decision Making – How to analyze mid-year benchmark data effectively and ensure it truly informs instructional practices.

✅ The Power of Comprehension – Why reading comprehension is a process, not a product, and how to shift instructional focus accordingly.

✅ Math & Literacy Connection – The impact of literacy skills on math performance, particularly in understanding word problems.

✅ Breaking Down Text for Deeper Understanding – How to help students navigate complex texts sentence by sentence.

✅ Engaging Students in Reading – The importance of using high-interest texts to foster motivation and deeper engagement.

✅ Using Informal Data for Instructional Adjustments – Why formative assessments and student discussions can provide more insight than standardized test scores alone.

✅ Encouragement for Educators – Practical strategies to help teachers and administrators work smarter, not harder, as they approach the home stretch of the school year.

Resources Mentioned:

• Nancy Hennessy’s "The Reading Comprehension Blueprint" – A resource for structuring reading comprehension instruction.
• Scarborough’s Rope Model – Understanding the components of skilled reading.
• Linda Ryan Consulting Website –  Visit for additional resources, workshops, and professional development.

Connect with Our Guest:

📌 Website: https://www.lindarhyneconsulting.com
📌 Social Media & YouTube: Find recorded workshops and free resources on literacy instruction.

Sponsor:

🚀 This episode is brought to you by Elementary Advancement Solutions, dedicated to supporting Catholic school leaders in enrollment, advancement, and strategic leadership. Visit ElementaryAdvancement.com to learn more and access valuable resources.

Stay Connected:

📩 Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with John Mihalyo on LinkedIn.
📢 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with fellow Catholic school leaders.