Literacy Talks

Fresh from The Reading League's 10th Annual Conference in Chicago, Lindsay, Donell, and Stacy share the research, ideas, and classroom strategies that caught their attention. From the growing influence of AI to the importance of oral language, reading comprehension, and explicit instruction, the trio explores what excited them, what surprised them, and what left them with more questions. Whether you attended the conference or couldn't make it, this Conference Rewind brings valuable insights ...

Show Notes AI can make a task easier without necessarily making learning stronger. The distinction may come down to who is doing the cognitive work. When AI provides an answer or produces the work for a student, it can reduce the attention, engagement, reasoning, and productive struggle involved in learning. When thoughtfully designed and intentionally used to provide hints, scaffolding, practice, or feedback, however, AI may help students remain actively involved in that process. For educato...

Dyslexia awareness has grown dramatically—but has that awareness translated into meaningful change for students? Stacy, Donell, and Lindsay explore what’s happening in schools, what may still be missing, and what it will take to turn greater awareness into better support for struggling readers. Show NotesDyslexia is now part of the conversation in schools across the country. Nearly every state has adopted some form of dyslexia legislation, screening has become increasingly common, and educato...

Are we reading less—or is the way we read changing? Inspired by a provocative recent article in The Atlantic, Stacy, Donell, and Lindsay take on some big questions about reading, attention, and what it means to be a reader today. Their conversation explores what may be changing, what may be at stake, and what educators can do about it. Show Notes A recent Atlantic article makes a provocative claim: America may not be becoming illiterate, but post-literate—a society in which people can read bu...

Braxton was in kindergarten when the pandemic interrupted his first year of formal reading instruction. But his mother, Kristie, soon realized there was more to his struggles. Donell Pons talks with Kristie about the years Braxton spent “hanging on,” his eventual dyslexia identification, and what changed when he finally received targeted support—just as he prepares to enter middle school. Show NotesToday’s middle schoolers were just beginning their education when the pandemic disrupted classr...

As another school year comes to a close, Stacy Hurst, Donell Pons, and Lindsay Kemeny reflect on the moments, challenges, and lessons that shaped their year in literacy education. From advocating for students and navigating legislative pressures to celebrating reading breakthroughs and planning for growth, this candid conversation explores the very human side of teaching reading. The hosts discuss the realities educators face beyond academics, the importance of literacy advocacy, what student...

A recent article questioning the “cost of overteaching phonics” sparked major discussion across the literacy world—and in this episode, Stacy Hurst, Donell Pons, and Lindsay Kemeny unpack it all. Are schools really overteaching phonics? What does the research actually say? And how do teachers balance explicit instruction, reading practice, spelling, assessment, and student engagement without swinging too far in either direction? The conversation explores the nuance behind phonics instruction,...

In this powerful conversation, Kareem Weaver—literacy advocate, educator, and featured voice in The Right to Read—challenges us to rethink what’s at stake when students don’t learn to read. From personal stories to system-wide solutions, Kareem makes a compelling case: literacy isn’t just an educational issue—it’s a matter of opportunity, equity, and responsibility. This episode moves beyond awareness and into action, exploring what it really takes for schools, leaders, and communities to ens...

Show Notes Early reading screening is one of the most powerful tools educators have—but only if it’s used well. In this episode of Literacy Talks, we unpack what screening actually measures, why timing matters, and how to use data to support students before small gaps become major challenges. We explore the difference between screening and diagnosis, why “wait and see” can be harmful, and how early data should drive immediate, targeted instruction. You’ll also hear how screening results can r...

What if the data you’re collecting could actually make your teaching easier—not more overwhelming? In this episode, we unpack what reading assessment is really telling you and how to use it with clarity and purpose. In this episode, we discuss: The true purpose of different types of reading assessmentsHow to move from data collection to meaningful instructional decisionsAssessment can feel like one more thing on a teacher’s already full plate—but when used well, it becomes one of the most pow...

What does it take to turn frustration into a nationwide movement? In this episode, Dr. Maria Murray shares the powerful story behind The Reading League—and how one idea grew into a force for literacy change. Show Notes In this episode, we discuss: The gap between reading research and classroom practiceHow The Reading League grew from a local effort to a national organizationDr. Maria Murray takes us on a candid and inspiring journey from her early experiences in reading research to the creati...

Why do some schools see rapid literacy gains while others struggle to move the needle? The difference often isn’t the program—it’s the leadership behind the implementation. In this episode, we discuss: How courageous, humble leadership accelerates literacy improvementMoving from knowledge to practice through actionable support and coachingSustainable literacy improvement doesn’t happen through one-day professional development or a new curriculum alone. It happens when leaders create the condi...

Episode Summary: What if libraries played a central role in transforming literacy instruction? In this Changemaker Voices episode, Jenny Emery Davidson shares how a rural community library became a hub for science-of-reading-aligned professional learning, teacher collaboration, and joyful literacy advocacy. This conversation will inspire educators and leaders to rethink how communities can help build a true social fabric of literacy. Guest Jenny Emery Davidson Executive Director, The Communit...