Literacy: the Key to a Lifetime of Learning

Inspire Reading Joy

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the nation’s leading children’s literacy nonprofit, and BE Podcast Network, a network of shows that help you go Beyond Education, have teamed up to shine a spotlight on children’s literacy throughout the month of September, National Literacy Month.Throughout September, during back to school, be sure to listen over 30 podcasts focused on children's literacy, including podcasts featuring members of RIF leadership team and community, on the BE Podcast  Network.Literacy is the key that unlocks a lifetime of learning.Join us as we discuss the importance of inspiring a joy of reading and how we can all be a part of the solution of creating a nation of skilled readers.Sign up for RIF’s monthly newsletter for the latest literacy news, resources, and tips & tools.


The Shows on BE Podcast Network

Shows that help you go beyond education

Whatever your role in education, we've got a show for you.
But we're not just about K-12 education. We want to help you be the best human you can, by creating shows that help you achieve your best version of yourself.
All throughout the month of September, you'll find interviews with leaders in the literacy arena sharing the importance of inspiring reading joy to create lifelong skilled readers. Together we can work to address the literacy crisis help you spark joy in reading, until every child reads.Here are all the shows participating:
- Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works
- Building a Culture of Collaboration
- Cybertraps
- De Facto Leaders
- Designed for Greatness
- EdTech Startup Showcase
- EduTech Guys
- Leading Collaborative Response
- Make It Mindful
- Rebel Educator
- Reimagine Schools
- Resilient Schools
- SEEing to Lead
- The Authority
- The Learning Bridge
- The Principal’s Handbook
- The Teacher Burnout Podcast
- Transformative Principal
- Why Distance Learning?


Over 30 experts participating

Stay Tuned

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Vice President of Programs at Reading is Fundamental

Katie Nicholson

Katie shares insights on the importance of community involvement, the concept of a culture of literacy, and various initiatives and programs like 'Books for Ownership' and the new 'Early Childhood Program.' She highlights her experiences and offers advice on fostering engagement and passion for reading among students of all ages.

https://dashboard.transistor.fm/shows/seeing-to-lead/episodes/moving-from-pressure-to-passion-with-katy-nicholson/edit#

faculty lecturer in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology at McGill University

Karen Gazith

We discuss:
- Teaching students to read is the most essential duty of schools
- Reading is everyone’s business
What should change in pre-service and inservice learning?
- What neuroscience research says about how children learn to read


CEO of edsoma

Kyle Wallgren

Hear about:
- Kyle’s entrepreneurial background and motivation to make an impact in education
- How Edsoma works and the challenges it addresses for students, parents, and educators
- What makes Edsoma unique and the latest exciting developments, including investment from Shaquille O’Neal
- Insights for other founders in the edtech space


Supervisor of Library Services for Central Unified School District

janet Wile

IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS:
- Janet's innovative programs that get students excited about reading
- The challenges of encouraging literacy in a "book desert”
- Partnering with Reading is Fundamental (RIF) and its effect on students
- The importance of creating welcoming, inclusive library spaces
- The role of school libraries in providing safe spaces for students


high school assistant principal with Loudoun County Public Schools

Lisa Tartaglia

Professor Emerita/Senior Research Scientist at Johns Hopkins University

Dr. Margarita Calderón

We discuss:
- “Laymen’s definition of SEL”
- Identifying the English Learners and multilingual learners in our schools
- How the core tenets of the CASEL framework apply to English learners’ relevant needs
- Common reasons why English Learners’ needs aren’t met


Senior Vice President of Marketing & Partnerships at Reading is Fundamental

Jodi rubin

Points discussed:
- Rally to Read 100
- B&N storytime pick and Random House partnerships
- Why community is so important!
- The power of early reading experiences.
- Importance of reading aloud.


assistant professor of literacy in the College of Education and Social Work at West Chester University

Dr. Daris McInnis

Tune in to discover how schools can better engage families in the literacy process and how transformative leadership begins with meaningful, student-centered conversations.


Vice President, Literacy Programs & Research

Erin Bailey

In this episode, you’ll hear about the latest in literacy research, bringing joy to the classroom, the greatest successes in developing readers, and more.


Literacy specialist

Dr. Molly Ness

In this conversation, we discuss:✅The impact of vocabulary on comprehension✅The science of reading as an evolving body of work instead of a trend or curriculum✅Book deserts: Concerning statistics and how to help


Literacy specialist

Dr. Molly Ness

We discuss Molly’s book Read - Alouds for All Learners and much more:
- Trends in reading instruction
- Defining and understanding Book Deserts
- What is book culture?
- Implications of limited access to books
- What is preventing better penetration of literacy solutions?


Host of The Reading Teachers Lounge

Shannon Betts

Host of The Reading Teachers Lounge

Mary Saghafi

IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS:
- The shift towards science of reading methodologies and its impact on classroom practices
- Common misconceptions in literacy instruction and how to overcome them
- Strategies for advocating for struggling readers within school systems
- The importance of data-driven decision making in addressing students' needs
- Practical advice for teachers navigating conflicts and improving their instructional practices


actress, producer, and author

Sheetal Sheth

Key Topics Discussed:
- Sheth’s journey from acting to writing children's literature.
- The importance of diverse representation in children's books.
- How storytelling can foster empathy and understanding in classrooms.
- Approaching sensitive topics in children's literature without shying away from tough conversations.
- Tips for teachers on incorporating diverse stories into classroom settings.


founder and president of UP Academy

Tanya Sheckley

The discussion covers strategies for balancing structure with independence, the role of community and trust in education, and the evolving needs of the workforce.


cognitive developmental psychologist and author

Dr. Irene Daria

Points covered:
- How schools have turned off millions of kids from loving reading.
- “We escaped a train wreck because of my son”
- Balanced Literacy 3-cueing.
- Explicit and systematic way to sound out words.
- Kenneth Goodman - founder of whole language, which is what balanced literacy is based on.
- Observational study on how children learn to read.


director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Illinois

Mark Onuscheck

assistant superintendent for teaching and learning for Kildeer Countryside District 96

Jeanne Spiller

They discuss how to build a highly intentional and focused culture of collaboration, with a direct emphasis on how that culture can have a significant impact on literacy success for learners!


Chair of the English Department at the University of Bridgeport

Randy Laist

We talk about:
- Coming up with a modern definition of writing
- The fears around artificial intelligence and writing
- Why it’s necessary to rethink writing
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Universal Design for Writing
- Engagement, Representation, Action and Expression
- Writing activities using AI


Senior Scientist at Boys Town National Research Hospital

Dr. Karla K. McGregor

In this episode, we discuss:✅Developmental language disorder: Characteristics and overlaps with conditions like ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and auditory processing disorder.✅School teams are “permitted” to use the term “DLD” in the schools. What does that mean in practice?✅How language disorders impact important life skills such as the driver’s test or understanding your Miranda rights.✅Universal screeners: Reading screeners are an opportunity to identify DLD, but will they catch every child who needs services?


ELA curriculum specialist for the Gulfport School District

Dr. Trish Stoll

She'll discuss the importance of focusing on teacher capacity, providing ample training and support, and involving teachers in decision-making. Dr. Stoll will also share her thoughts on how principals can be transformative leaders by observing classrooms, learning from students, and creating a culture of continuous improvement.


Juvenile Forensic Speech-Language Pathologist

Dr. Shameka Stewart

In this conversation, we discuss:✅The relationship between reading challenges and the school-to-confinement pipeline.✅Why “behavior problems” could be related to language processing, reading, or writing challenges.✅When youth become involved with the justice system, how do they get access to special education services (including language therapy)?✅“They should know better”: Why we can’t assume kids comprehend language in the school discipline handbook.


owner of Dr. Karen, LLC & Host of the de facto leaders podcast

Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan

The conversation covers a range of topics from RTI implementation to the science of reading and the challenges of supporting struggling readers in upper grades.


ELA curriculum specialist for the Gulfport School District

Trish Stoll

Topics discussed:
- The Importance of Literacy
- Understanding Agendas and Teamwork
- Promoting Literacy at the District Level
- Professional Development for Teachers
- Community Involvement in Literacy
- Future of Literacy and Digital Engagement


director of learning and development & literacy consultant at Mackin Educational Resources

Jennifer McCarty Plucker

Topics discussed:
- Setting the goal to create competent, confident, engaged readers
- The factors for engagement
- How the inquiry approach works
- How building a community of readers, writers, thinkers, and collaborators benefits student learning and achievement


associate director of the Center for Research on Learning at the University of Kansas

Dr. Jocelyn Washburn

Topics discussed:
- Research-based information
- Concerns about science of reading approaches
- Review process - reviewed against a long list of components (do those specific components have research showing they work.)
- Teacher not being able to teach something even though they have experience showing that it works.
- Adapting evidence-based practices based on student data.
- iSTAR Adaptive intervention based on SIM writing strategies.


Owner of Nancy Mac Consulting

Nancy MacLellan

We dive into the importance of responsive literacy interventions and share a number of tips and reminders when establishing school-wide literacy supports in a school.


Senior Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships for Reading is Fundamental

Jodi Rubin

They discuss the importance of literacy and the impact of reading on children's lives. Jodi shares her passion for the Rally to Read initiative, a six-month campaign starting on October 1st, 2024, aimed at increasing children's reading frequency and motivation.


reading specialist and veteran teacher

Susan Brady

In this conversation, Susan shares:✅Are reading teachers getting the pre-service training they need to critically evaluate research and implement instructional practices?✅Relying a curriculum versus leveraging a curriculum to guide your practice✅How to start a book club and get students excited about reading


author of the writer's mindset

Chris Hall

We cover:
- Why Chris chose to focus his book on the topic of revision
- The 6 Stances students can adopt toward their writing
0 Beliefs about optimism: students should learn from their strengths & students should choose what to write and revise


President of Everyone Reading Illinois

Tom Parton

In this conversation, we discuss:✅What do federal guidelines require when it comes to identifying and serving students with reading/writing disabilities?✅Picking the right battles to fight: Do we focus on the labels or the services and curriculum?✅Who is qualified or responsible for diagnosing dyslexia?


literacy coach

Kari Walchalk

The discussion covers:
- Proven strategies for principals to champion the Science of Reading
- Leveraging teacher leaders to effectively implement reading science
- Self-education tips for diving deeper into the Science of Reading
- Supporting struggling readers from upper elementary through high school


Associate Professor of Teacher Education at the University of Virginia

Judy Paulick

Key Topics Discussed:
- The importance of asset-based home visits and how they can deepen teacher-student-family connections.
- How family engagement enriches literacy practices by incorporating storytelling, cultural values, and everyday literacy activities from home.
- Strategies for teachers who may not have access to home visits but still want to leverage family assets in the classroom.


Vice President, Literacy Programs & Research

Dr. Erin Bailey

In this episode, Dr. Erin Bailey joins Jethro Jones on Transformative Principal to talk about how to engage families in inspiring the joy of reading in children.


Founder & President of Up Academy

Tanya Sheckley

Director of Teaching and Learning at Up Academy

Brittany Botta

Some things discussed:
- Up Academy - love of learning, inclusive educational space.
- Project based learning didn’t always align well to literacy.
- Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum
- Each module is focused on a particular aspect of writing.


the founder and owner of The Measured Mom, host of the TripleR Teaching podcast

Anna Geiger

In this conversation, we discuss:✅The difference between balanced literacy and structured literacy✅Decodable texts vs. predictable texts.✅What is three-cueing and why does it encourage poor reading habits?


author

Carmen Rubin

Discover how Rubin's passion for storytelling and diversity has shaped her career, from her creative approaches to making reading fun for kids to her involvement with Reading is Fundamental. Learn about her unique Peppermint Candy Club and how it spreads love through literature.


Director of Library Services at the Meadowbrook School

Ryan Tahmaseb

The episode covers:
- How administrators and teachers can lean on the library to support teaching, learning, and innovation
- The modern role of a school librarian – and what is still misunderstood
- How librarians can be a valuable resource to new teachers
- The benefits of engaging students in hands-on learning


owner of Dr. Karen, LLC & Host of the de facto leaders podcast

Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan

This episode covers:
- Getting everyone on the same page from different service providers.
- We’re not ignoring your discipline!
- Service delivery planning vs. lesson planning.
- Having a lot of experiences is what kids need to build vocabulary
- Need to have about 90-95% of vocabulary


founder, president and CEO of SPELL-Links | Learning By Design, Inc.

Dr. Jan Wasowicz

In this conversation, we discuss:✅Do we need a “writing rope” to supplement the “reading rope”? Or should reading, writing and language be woven in to one literacy framework?
✅Pragmatics, executive functioning, and metalinguistic awareness: How do these components fit in to effective literacy instruction?
✅Does working on reading improve spelling? Does working on spelling improve reading?


veteran teacher librarian and district supervisor

Janet Wile

Janet Wile shares invaluable insights on:
- The crucial role of school librarians in education
- Innovative literacy programs that have flourished in her district
- Strategies for creating a strong culture of literacy
- Partnering with Reading is Fundamental to get books into students' hands


educator and school librarian

Nikeya Jarrett

In this episode, Nikeya Jarrett discusses her passion for literacy and its significance in urban communities. Nikeya shares her journey from teaching first grade in D.C. public schools to becoming a community-nominated 'My Favorite Librarian.' Her work revolves around promoting literacy development, access to home libraries, and creating a culture of reading


Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in New York

Lorraine Radice

In this episode, Ross discusses igniting a love of literacy with Dr. Lorraine Radice. Prior to her current role, she was a preK-12 Director of Literacy. She is also an Associate Assistant Professor at Hofstra University.


Vice President, Reading Is Fundamental

Jennifer Moone

In this episode, Jennifer Moone discusses her work with Reading Is Fundamental, emphasizing partnerships and resources to promote children's literacy and foster a love of reading.


owner of Dr. Karen, LLC & Host of the de facto leaders podcast

Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan

I share:✅What the current literacy trends show as far as the impact of texting.✅The 3 tenets of effective literacy intervention.✅Common mistakes people make when teaching kids to use reading strategies.✅Three essential skills kids need in order to become fluent readers and spellers.


President and CEO, Reading Is Fundamental

Alicia Levi

Our conversation covers:
The state of children’s literacy in the U.S. and reasons for optimism
Understanding RIF’s work and mission
What listeners will gain from this content partnership


owner of Rhyne Consulting

Linda Rhyne

In this episode, Linda discusses the changing landscape of literacy education, instructional coaching, and practical strategies for supporting teachers


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Thank you

We're so excited to see so many people join us in the literacy journey. It's going to be amazing.