Upstream Podcast with Dr. Tracy White

What happens when schools become more focused on compliance than connection?

In the Season 2 premiere of Upstream Podcast with Dr. Tracy White, Dr. White sits down with Dr. Ryan Lee James, Chief Academic Officer of the Atlanta Speech School and Director of the Rollins Center for Language and Literacy, for a candid conversation about literacy, evidence-based practice, teacher development, parent empowerment, and the systems shaping how children experience school.

Together, they challenge educators and leaders to look beyond programs and prescriptions, examine the consequences of hyper-regulation, and build learning environments rooted in connection, trust, and the knowledge teachers need to respond to the children in front of them.

Like, comment, share, and subscribe to Upstream Podcast with Dr. Tracy White for more conversations exploring the upstream issues shaping literacy, education, and opportunity.

ABOUT DALLAS IDA:

The Dallas Branch of the International Dyslexia Association has served families in North Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas for over 50 years, and it is completely run by volunteers. Supporting the dyslexia community is not just their mission-- it is also their passion. For parents, teachers, therapists, and other education professionals, the branch provides continuing education through monthly webinars and annual conferences in Dallas, West Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. And for students in need? This year alone, the branch has awarded more than $52,000 in scholarships that pay for reading therapy when families can't. Today we are asking the Upstream audience to help us support this critically important work by making a donation to their student scholarship fund. Every little bit counts, and every dollar donated directly funds reading therapy for a student with dyslexia. Follow the Dallas Branch on social media for upcoming webinars and conference dates, and learn more at https://idadallas.org/upstream

ABOUT COX CAMPUS:

Cox Campus was founded in 2014 following a generous grant to the Rollins Center for Language & Literacy. This innovative adult learning platform was created to scale the transformative work of the Rollins Center, extending its reach far beyond Atlanta to communities around the world.

Today, more than 420,000 members from all fifty states and over 180 countries engage with Cox Campus to access a robust array of courses, resources, webinars, and engage in community discussions all advancing language and literacy practices.

Thanks to the steadfast investment of philanthropic organizations that share the belief that literacy is a universal right, Cox Campus continues to provide free access to individuals, school districts, and entire systems.

Sign up for FREE to gain access to Accredited Professional Learning and over 1,000 free resources for Educators. https://coxcampus.org/

ABOUT THE EVIDENCE ADVOCACY CENTER:

The mission of EAC is to transform the education system to ensure all students, especially the most vulnerable and marginalized populations, receive an outstanding education that enables them to grow academically, thrive socially and emotionally, and realize satisfying adult lives.To realize our mission, education must implement the 5 pillars of trusted evidence-aligned professions. Learn more at https://evidenceadvocacycenter.org

What happens when children are given the opportunity to explore, question, and discover?

Dr. Tracy White welcomes Rosa Aristy of Bridges to Science for a conversation about expanding access to STEM, nurturing curiosity, and preparing young people for a rapidly changing world. From hands-on science experiences to AI, future careers, and ethical leadership, they explore why exposure today can ignite the passions, skills, and possibilities that shape a child's tomorrow.

Upstream Education is committed to supporting nonprofit leaders with the executive coaching, support, and resources they need to lead with greater clarity, purpose, and impact. Your support helps make that work possible. Invest in the leaders who are strengthening our communities by donating today: https://www.upstreameducation.org/donations

This episode of The Upstream Podcast is proudly supported by the Evidence Advocacy Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing evidence-based literacy instruction and improving educational outcomes for all students through advocacy, research, and collaboration. Learn more about their work: https://evidenceadvocacycenter.org

Can music do more than inspire?

In this episode of Upstream Podcast, Dr. Tracy White sits down with Dr. Ana Trevino, Director of Prelude Music Foundation, to explore the powerful connection between music, brain development, literacy, and early childhood education.

Together, they navigate the science behind music's impact on learning, why it strengthens language, reading, math, and social-emotional development, and why every child deserves access to music regardless of their ZIP code.

Whether you're an educator, parent, school leader, or advocate for children, this conversation offers an inspiring look at how music can help unlock every child's potential.

The Prelude Music Foundation leads developmentally appropriate music and movement classes in early childhood education settings across the city of Houston. We proudly serve 20 sites and more than 3,300 students in underserved communities, Title I schools, and residential sites that support children experiencing illness and trauma. In partnership with schools and educators, Prelude Music Foundation delivers research-based music instruction and professional learning that aligns with the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines and supports language development, early literacy, vocabulary acquisition, phonological awareness, and social-emotional growth. By intentionally integrating music with evidence-based early learning practices, Prelude Music Foundation equips educators with practical strategies that help young children build the foundational skills they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond. Learn more about their work: https://preludemusicfoundation.org

This episode of The Upstream Podcast is proudly supported by the Evidence Advocacy Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing evidence-based literacy instruction and improving educational outcomes for all students through advocacy, research, and collaboration.

Learn more about their work: 
https://evidenceadvocacycenter.org

Dr. Tracy White welcomes Dorian Cockrell, Vice President of Global Philanthropy at JPMorgan Chase, for a thought-provoking conversation about opportunity, workforce development, philanthropy, artificial intelligence, and building generational wealth. Their discussion explores why education must evolve to prepare people for the future of work, why opportunity begins with belief, and how investing in people can transform entire communities generationally.

A special thank you to this episode's sponsors, the International Dyslexia Association Austin TX and Virginia Branches!

"Together, we support Structured Literacy and evidence-based reading instruction for all learners—including multilingual language learners. Websites: https://aus.dyslexiaida.org , https://va.dyslexiaida.org Promo Code: UPSTREAM"

Dr. Tracy White sits down with literacy advocate and nonprofit leader Dr. Tracy Johnson Rockmore for a deeply personal conversation about dyslexia, faith, and the fight for literacy justice.

After years of being labeled “slow” and struggling through school without proper support, Dr. Rockmore shares how a late dyslexia diagnosis transformed her life and led to the creation of Vessels of Hope, a nonprofit serving children and adults with learning differences. Together, they unpack the emotional impact of illiteracy, why literacy is a human rights issue, and how educators can help children reclaim hope, identity, and purpose.

A special thank you to this episode's sponsors, Raise Your Hand Texas, and the International Dyslexia Association Austin TX and Virginia Branches!

"Our mission at Raise Your Hand Texas is to create a vibrant civic culture where Texans vote, engage lawmakers and their neighbors, and act together to champion public education in their communities and at the state capitol. For more information, visit https://www.raiseyourhandtexas.org/

"Together, we support Structured Literacy and evidence-based reading instruction for all learners—including multilingual language learners. Website: https://aus.dyslexiaida.org , https://va.dyslexiaida.org/

Promo Code: UPSTREAM"

In this episode of Upstream, Dr. Tracy White is joined by Dr. Ioulia Kovelman to examine the neuroscience of language and literacy.

They dissect how children acquire language, what bilingualism reveals about the brain, and why applied literacy science is critical for long-term success. This conversation connects research to real-world application for educators, leaders, and families working to improve literacy outcomes.

Explore more at drtracywhite.com

A special thank you to this episode's sponsors, Raise Your Hand Texas, and the International Dyslexia Association Austin TX and Virginia Branches!

"Our mission at Raise Your Hand Texas is to create a vibrant civic culture where Texans vote, engage lawmakers and their neighbors, and act together to champion public education in their communities and at the state capitol. For more information, visit https://www.raiseyourhandtexas.org/

"Together, we support Structured Literacy and evidence-based reading instruction for all learners—including multilingual language learners. Website: https://aus.dyslexiaida.org , https://va.dyslexiaida.org/

Promo Code: UPSTREAM"

Dr. Tracy White welcomes her spiritual sister and friend Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora, 2023 Texas Superintendent of the Year and a national finalist, for an honest conversation about what it takes to lead public education in a polarized era.

*This interview took place at the end of 2024, some events may have developed or changed since the recoding of this episode.*

A special thank you to this episode's sponsor, Raise Your Hand Texas!

Our mission at Raise Your Hand Texas is to create a vibrant civic culture where Texans vote, engage lawmakers and their neighbors, and act together to champion public education in their communities and at the state capitol. For more information, visit RaiseYourHandTexas.org

Dr. Tracy White sits down with nationally recognized literacy advocate and dyslexia consultant Clarice Jackson for a deeply personal conversation about purpose, policy, and the fight for literacy as a human right. Clarice shares how her daughter’s educational suffering and eventual breakthrough transformed her into an advocate, leading to the creation of the Voice Advocacy Center and the Black Literacy Matters movement. 

Dr. Tracy White welcomes award winning actor and author Ameer Baraka for a powerful conversation on dyslexia, literacy, and redemption. Ameer shares how being undiagnosed in school shaped his self worth, led him toward the streets, and how learning to read in prison became the turning point that changed his life. This episode challenges us to look upstream at the systems we have built and to recognize the untapped potential that emerges when literacy finally meets opportunity.

Intro Music By: Robin Lorraine

Dr. Tracy White opens the Upstream Podcast with a heartfelt conversation with her mother, Bessie Mae White. Together they explore resilience, literacy, faith, and the power of a parent’s vision to transform generations. This episode reminds us why educators matter and how one person’s belief can change a child’s life.

Intro Music By: Robin Lorraine