All For Literacy

Making Changes to Drive Student Success With Dena Mortensen

“There's nothing that's going to change student achievement more powerfully than the teacher, but it's very difficult for the teacher to do that job if they don't have support from leadership at the top,” Dena Mortensen, Ed.D. explains in Episode 7 of All For Literacy™. 
 
Mortensen sits down with host Dr. Liz Brooke to discuss a boots-on-the-ground perspective about implementing the science of reading. An elementary reading and language arts supervisor for Waterbury Public Schools in Waterbury, Connecticut, Mortensen offers listeners a detailed look into how the school district is making changes to improve student literacy rates. Mortensen also discusses her involvement with the documentary “Hopeville: How to Win the Reading Wars,” directed and produced by All For Literacy Episode 6 guest Harvey Hubbell V. 
 
Mortensen and Brooke explore how to:
Encourage teachers to adopt the use of progress-monitoring data
Make a dedication to evidence front and center
Repurpose balanced literacy and whole language materials
Support teachers as they learn about the science of reading
Make in-classroom coaching accessible to all
 
Explore the show notes for links to people and resources mentioned in the episode. Subscribe to All For Literacy today and never miss an episode. 

Sparking Educational Change Through Documentary Film With Harvey Hubbell V

“This has been a long, crazy journey of me trying to figure out what the heck is going on with education,” says Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Harvey Hubbell V in Season 2, Episode 6 of All For Literacy™. 
Hubbell sits down with host Dr. Liz Brooke for an insightful look into how documentary films affect the educational system and the science of reading movement. His company, Captured Time Productions, has released several education-related documentaries, including “Dislecksia: The Movie” which focuses on the misunderstood subject of dyslexia, and “Hopeville: How to Win the Reading Wars,” which takes a never-before-seen look at the challenging process of learning to read. 
Gain an in-depth understanding of how these documentaries fuel the greater literacy conversation, the critical choices made in each film to tell stories in digestible and impactful ways, and where the next need for advocacy is to make the most significant difference in the lives of students. 
Tune into All For Literacy today to gain an exclusive look at Hubbell’s films, and subscribe to the podcast to never miss an episode!

How Social Media Can Boost the Science of Reading With Jessica Farmer

What role can social media play in advancing the science of reading movement?
Recorded live during Plain Talk About Literacy and Learning 2024 in New Orleans, host Dr. Liz Brooke sits down with literacy influencer Jessica Farmer to discuss how social media provides an effective platform for transferring data-backed practices to educators, administrators, and parents. A former first grade teacher, Farmer shares actionable activities and tips with more than 300,000 followers on her Farmer Loves Phonics accounts on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. 
Farmer shares how to:
Spot literacy misinformation on social media
Support teachers as they go through rigorous professional learning while also teaching
Use evidence-based practices at home with children
Make quick changes today in the classroom and see real results
Use social media to complement formal professional learning
In this special All For Literacy episode, listeners at the live recording had the opportunity to ask Farmer specific questions about the role of certain platforms in literacy education and enjoy memorable audience interactions. 
Listen to Episode 5 to understand another side of the science of reading movement. And don’t forget to subscribe to All For Literacy and never miss an episode. 

Fostering Educational Equity With Dr. Gretchen Givens Generett

“I can’t talk about how I understand the research without first going into…the history and the experiences of the communities that I’m looking to serve,” Dr. Gretchen Givens Generett says in Season 2, Episode 4 of All For Literacy. Host Dr. Liz Brooke has a compassionate discussion with Generett about understanding the lived experiences of students and educators and how to provide support so both can thrive. 
Generett currently serves as dean, professor, and the Noble J. Dick Endowed Chair of Community Outreach at the School of Education at Duquesne University. Her teaching and research work aim to enhance educators' skills and habits so they can effectively teach diverse populations of students.
Gain thoughtful and research-backed insight into how educators can create truly equitable systems, understand education as a human system, and foster meaningful learning and relationships while considering diverse histories and lived experiences. Educational leaders will especially benefit from Generett’s deep look into her co-authored book, Five Practices for Equity-Focused School Leadership. 
Strengthen your classrooms with useful tips for navigating challenging moments, especially those often exacerbated by the realities of power, privilege, and different lived experiences. 
 
Episode Breakdown
(01:58) – How Generett’s own educational experience influenced her professional career(11:24) – Leading during challenging times (i.e. the pandemic)(16:08) – Seminal studies on leadership in education(25:03) – Five Practices for Equity-Focused School Leadership(26:21) – Education as a human system(27:51) – Building teams with good relationships(31:25) – The importance of stories(38:17) – Supporting leaders in creating equitable systems(43:22) – Flipping deficit-oriented stories to create change(53:42) – How districts are embracing the work that needs to be done
 
Join our community of listeners and never miss an episode. Subscribe to All For Literacy today!
 
 

Using the Science of Writing to Support Literacy Instruction With Dr. Young-Suk Kim

How intrinsically linked are the skills for reading and writing? 
In Season 2, Episode 14 of All For Literacy, Dr. Young-Suk Kim joins host Dr. Liz Brooke for a technically in-depth conversation about the interconnectedness of reading and writing skills. 
In tandem with a provided visual aid, Kim and Brooke deeply explore the Direct and Indirect Effects Model of Writing (DIEW). Proposed by Kim after her extensive research into the subject of literacy, the DIEW model breaks down individual components needed to master writing skills which include reading skills often discussed on All For Literacy. 
After listening, educators and administrators will understand how to: 
Shape instruction planning around foundational skills 
Optimize student success by integrating reading and writing instruction
Implement differentiated instruction by using screeners and assessments 
Kim’s evidence-backed model provides actionable guidance for listeners who want to strengthen reading and writing instruction to best support their students’ entire academic journey. Tune into Episode 14 of All For Literacy for a masterclass on translating the science behind language and literacy development in daily classroom practices. 

Supporting Teachers Through Adolescent Literacy Efforts With Rhonda Nelson

“You could have the best curriculum, but without teachers understanding what you're asking of them or why they need to shift their practice, there will always be…distrust in the curriculum,” Rhonda Nelson says in this episode of All For Literacy with host Dr. Liz Brooke. 
Rhonda Nelson is the curriculum instruction and assessment coordinator for the Bettendorf Community School District in Bettendorf, Iowa. Having previously served as a classroom teacher and earned a dyslexia certification, Nelson is now a doctoral candidate in reading science at Mount St. Joseph University.
Nelson brings a boots-on-the-ground viewpoint to All For Literacy for a discussion about critical topics in education:
Concerning data trends from The Nation’s Report Card
The need for teachers of all grades to understand the science of reading
How to best support teachers as they implement evidence-based practices
Strengthening the bidirectional relationship between educators and researchers
Inspiring teachers of all subjects to include literacy instruction
While this episode’s discussion is wide and varied, one common theme emerges—how to best support teachers during adolescent literacy instruction. Tune in for actionable advice derived from a firsthand perspective, and subscribe to All For Literacy to catch new episodes.
 
Episode Breakdown
(01:43) – Nelson’s journey to her current position 
(09:20) – Current teacher challenges and concerning NAEP data trends
(14:20) – How to best support teachers when implementing evidence-based practices
(18:25) – Importance of shared consensus across classrooms, schools, and districts
(21:10) – Strengthening the relationship between educators and researchers
(26:54) – How Nelson balances educational work with a Master’s program
(30:19) – Impact of COVID and the science of reading on upper elementary and middle school
(34:42) – Content-area teachers and literacy instruction
(44:15) – Hope for the future
(53:45) – Best practices for enriching literacy learning for students
 
About Rhonda Nelson
Rhonda Nelson is the curriculum instruction and assessment coordinator for the Bettendorf Community School District in Bettendorf, Iowa. Having previously served as a classroom teacher and earned a dyslexia certification, Nelson is now a doctoral candidate in reading science at Mount St. Joseph University.
 
Mentioned in this Episode
Liz Brooke, X @LizCBrooke
Liz Brooke, LinkedIn
Rhonda Nelson, LinkedIn 
APM Reports — “Hard Words: Why Aren’t Our Kids Being Taught to Read”
APM Reports — “Sold A Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong”
Bettendorf Community School District
The Nation’s Report Card (NAEP Data)
All For Literacy, Episode 2 with Kareem Weaver
All For Literacy, Episode 10 with Dr. Shayne Piasta
Lexia LETRS® Professional Learning
Lexia Aspire™ Professional Learning
The Reading League
International Dyslexia Association®

Research Insight Into Adolescent Literacy with Dr. Sharon Vaughn and Dr. Jeanne Wanzek

Are you implementing up-to-date research findings in your school or classroom? 
Season 1 of All For Literacy frequently touched on the issue of connecting educators with new and established research and how to best apply evidence-based findings in the classroom. To kick off Season 2, two influential education researchers join host Dr. Liz Brooke for an enlightening discussion about current research and how findings translate into everyday classroom practices. 
Tune into this episode to hear from Dr. Sharon Vaughn and Dr. Jeanne Wanzek. Vaughn is the Manuel J. Justiz Endowed Chair in Education and the executive director of The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk at the University of Texas at Austin. Wanzek is a professor and Currey-Ingram Endowed Chair in the department of special education at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. 
The discussion deeply explores the guests’ areas of research on adolescent and upper-grade literacy, improving interventions with additional components, weaving literacy throughout the entire school day, and Tier 1 instruction. 
Educators will gain evidence-based strategies to implement day to day to strengthen literacy levels across subjects and grade levels. Join Lexia® for an all-new season of All For Literacy, and subscribe to never miss an episode. 
 
Episode Breakdown
(04:06) – Wanzek’s professional journey
(06:37) – Vaughn’s professional journey 
(12:38) – Wanzek’s and Vaughn’s relationship as mentor and mentee
(17:34) – Takeaways from The Nation’s Report Card results
(21:07) – How to strengthen interventions through strategic integration
(24:28) – How to weave literacy instruction through the whole class schedule
(30:06) – The differences in the science of reading across grade levels
(35:48) – The importance of customization in literacy instruction
(44:00) – Research-based look at Tier 1 instruction
(48:34) – Advice for teachers and hope for the future
 
Dr. Sharon Vaughn
Dr. Sharon Vaughn is the Manuel J. Justiz Endowed Chair in Education and the executive director of The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk at the University of Texas at Austin. She’s currently the principal or co-principal investigator on several research grants for the Institution for Education Sciences, National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, and the U.S. Department of Education that explore effective interventions for students with reading difficulties and English Language Learners. 
 
Dr. Jeanne Wanzek
Dr. Jeanne Wanzek is a professor and Currey-Ingram Endowed Chair in the department of special education at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. Her research focuses on effective reading instruction and intervention for students with reading difficulties and disabilities. Before receiving her doctorate, Wanzek worked as a special educator and an elementary teacher. 
 
Mentioned in this Episode
Liz Brooke, X @LizCBrooke
The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk
Department of Special Education at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University
The Nation’s Report Card
Christy Austin
Rachel Donegan

10 Conversations About Literacy in 30 Minutes

Whether you are a loyal All for Literacy listener or tuning in for the first time, Episode 11 is for you. In this podcast episode, host Dr. Liz Brooke journeys through season one of All For Literacy, recapping insight and common threads discussed with key industry voices. 
Liz shares highlights from discussions with Emily Hanford, Kareem Weaver, Dr. Kymyona Burke, Dr. Shayne Piasta, and other valued guests while providing further conclusions and food for thought. 
This episode covers the relationship between the pandemic and literacy levels, literacy as a civil right, integrating technology to empower educators, educational policy, multilingualism, differentiated literacy needs, research-based practices, and other related topics. 
Catch up on what you missed before next season or to deepen your understanding of what you have learned all year. Tune in to relive the premiere season of All For Literacy and set the stage for 2024!
 
Episode Breakdown 
(01:36) – Emily Hanford and what the pandemic taught us about learning to read
(04:39) – Kareem Weaver: Literacy is a civil right
(08:46) – Carl Hooker: Informed, empowered and equipped teachers are key
(11:14) – Trisha DiFazio and Allison Roeser: Social Emotional Learning is the plate 
(14:34) – Dr. Kymyona Burke: Relationships and accountability
(17:40) – Dr. Claude Goldenberg: The Reading Wars are damaging for our schools
(22:50) – Dr. Tiffany Hogan: Identification, Intervention, and Implementation 
(27:25) – Dr. Maryanne Wolf: Neuroscience and Dyslexia
(30:12) – Dr. Shayne Piasta: Bringing research to the classroom
 
About Dr. Liz Brooke 
Dr. Liz Brooke is the chief learning officer at Lexia®. She is a lifelong learner dedicated to empowering literacy educators and supporting students. Before joining Lexia, she worked at Rosetta Stone, the Florida Center for Reading Research, and as a speech-language pathologist. 
 
Mentioned in this Episode
Find all the episodes mentioned at AllForLiteracy.com
Liz Brooke, Twitter @LizCBrooke
Emily Hanford, Twitter @ehanford
Tiffany Hogan, Twitter @TiffanyPHogan
Kareem Weaver, Twitter @KJWinEducation
Trisha DiFazio, Twitter @TrishaDifazio
Allison Roeser, Twitter @AllisonRoeser
Dr. Kymyona Burk, Twitter, @kymyona_burk
Dr. Tiffany Hogan, Twitter @tiffanyphogan
Dr. Maryanne Wolf, Twitter @MaryanneWolf_
APM Reports — “Sold A Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong”
FULCRUM-Oakland
Mississippi's Literacy-Based Promotion Act
 
Join our community of listeners and never miss an episode at  All For Literacy today!

Practical Support: Evidence-Based Implementations With Dr. Shayne Piasta

“There’s wisdom and expertise that comes with practice, but we can also [use] science to help us identify practices that have the most promise [of better supporting] all children,” Dr. Shayne Piasta says about translating research into tangible classroom practices during Episode 10 of All For Literacy.
Piasta is a professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at The Ohio State University and a faculty fellow at the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy. Her research focuses on early and emergent literacy skill development and empirical validation of educational practices. 
During this discussion, host Dr. Liz Brooke and Piasta cover the importance of professional development for teachers and connecting research with classroom practices. 
Dive into:
The barriers preventing the implementation of research in the classroom
How to best support teachers and their development
The relationship between a teacher’s understanding of evidence-based curriculum and student achievement
Implementation science and how to make it easier for teachers to connect research to practice
Join us for Episode 10 of All For Literacy to gain valuable, science-backed insight about translating evidence-based instruction into the classroom and supporting teachers on their learning journeys so all students can thrive. 
Join our community of listeners on All For Literacy today!
 
Episode Breakdown
(00:57) - Inspiration behind Piasta’s career
(06:26) - Barriers to implementing evidence-based practices
(10:18) - Research is always evolving
(12:48) - Coaching vs. leadership: How to best support teachers
(18:04) - The relationship between evidence-based curriculum and student achievement
(24:18) - Importance of oral language skills
(33:44) - Implementation science: How to make it easier for teachers to connect research and practice
 
About our guest: Dr. Shayne Piasta
Dr. Shayne Piasta is a professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at The Ohio State University and a faculty fellow at the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy. Her research focuses on early and emergent literacy skill development and empirical validation of educational practices. Her specific areas of expertise include young children’s acquisition of alphabet knowledge and the efficacy of professional development and early literacy curricula/interventions. 
 
Mentioned in this Episode
Liz Brooke, Twitter @LizCBrooke
Florida Center for Reading Research
Haskins Lab
IES Practice Guides
Handbook on the Science of Early Literacy
10 Things Every Literacy Educator Should Know About Research, Nell K. Duke and Nicole M. Martin
 
 
 
 

Dyslexia and the Science of Reading with Maryanne Wolf

“The earlier the intervention, the better the results for that child over time,” says Dr. Maryanne Wolf about dyslexia screenings in Episode 9 of All for Literacy with host Dr. Liz Brooke. The wide-reaching conversation is detailed, rooted in science, and sure to enlighten educators, administrators, and parents about the science of reading.
In this episode, exploring the importance of early screenings for dyslexia is just the beginning of the insight-packed conversation with Brooke and Wolf. They also discuss:
Wolf’s work connecting the science of reading with balanced literacy
Using neuroscience to understand what the brain is doing at different times and how that allows or impedes development
The positive and negative shifts created by the rise of digital media
What parents and educators should consider regarding digital literacy tools
Wolf is director of the Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice at the UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies and the author of several books including Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain and Reader, Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World. 
Listen to Episode 9 of All for Literacy to boost your scientific understanding of literacy and the brain, dyslexia, and digital media. 
Join our community of listeners and never miss an episode. Subscribe to All of Literacy today!
Episode Breakdown
(01:07) - How a love of literature led to a love of literacy
(04:40) - Wolf’s first literacy studies
(11:43) - Connecting the science of reading with balanced literacy
(19:48) - Neuroscience and the reading brain
(28:01) - The rise of digital media
(33:55) - The positives of digital literacy
(42:15) - Importance of early dyslexia screenings
(52:05) - Dyslexia and the brain
(58:22) - The future of the reading brain