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

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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

founder and owner/operator 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 Wilel 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.

Host of De Facto Leaders

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.