On the Road to Literacy Success

NOTE: We apologize for the audio quality on Dr. Bain’s track and appreciate your understanding. Season 2, Ep. 13: A Superintendent’s Message: Centering the Humanity of Our Work w/ Dr. Tim Lawless In this meaningful conversation, Dr. Tim Lawless reflects on his journey through education and shares a powerful message for teachers, leaders, and school communities: the work is always about people. Together, we discuss what it looks like to lead with love, build trust over time, hire with heart, and create a school culture grounded in honesty, consistency, faith, humor, and human connection. This episode offers practical insight for educators and leaders who want to strengthen relationships, communicate more effectively, and cultivate school systems where both adults and students can thrive. Dr. Lawless reminds us that strong leadership is not only about systems and strategy. It is also about the way people feel seen, valued, supported, and inspired within the work. Whether you are a superintendent, principal, teacher, coach, or district leader, this conversation will encourage you to keep the humanity of the work at the center. In this episode, we discuss: --The role of love and trust in school leadership --Hiring for heart, character, and relational capacity --Building trust through honesty, consistency, and follow-through --The importance of humor and human connection in schools --Strategies for communication, relationship building, and positive culture

In this conversation, Jan Hasbrouck shares practical, research-aligned insight on what strengthens literacy outcomes in real schools. She explains why explicit instruction remains essential, why many systems are overloaded with assessment, and how leaders can support clearer, more effective literacy implementation. Jan also clarifies what reading fluency actually is—accuracy and automaticity that protect comprehension, not just speed. This episode offers a grounded, doable lens for teachers and school leaders who want literacy instruction to be more cohesive, clear, and coherent. Want to grab the book Jan Hasbrouck spoke about? Grab it here: https://www.amazon.com/Reading-Fluenc... Want to grab Staci Bain’s new book? Grab it here: Empowered to Teach and Lead

In this cozy, practical conversation, Dr. Staci Bain sits down with speech-language pathologist and literacy advocate Arti Shah to unpack how language development fuels reading and writing success—from babies (0–3) to early elementary (K–2). You’ll leave with doable ways to strengthen language at home and at school. Arti Shah is a speech-language pathologist (13+ years) who has worked across early intervention, community health, and schools. She also hosts the podcast Human Chapters, where she explores meaningful “chapters” of people’s lives with deep curiosity and connection. ▶️ To connect with Arti, watch/listen to Human Chapters on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@humanchapters To collaborate with Staci Bain on K–12 Tier 1 systems, feel free to connect. Educate supports teachers and school leaders with practical, research-aligned tools to strengthen Tier 1 literacy instruction—so the work becomes cohesive, clear, and coherent in real classrooms. Learn more: https://goodhumanseducate.com If this episode helped you think differently, lead more confidently, or support kids more clearly—leave a Good Human review on YouTube. It helps other educators and families find the show.

In this episode, Dr. Staci Bain speaks with Jenn and Mel from Teacher Lunch, who share their journey of creating TikToks that bring joy to teachers and celebrate the profession. They discuss the importance of community, storytelling, and the role of read-alouds in fostering a love for literacy among students. The conversation highlights the significance of collaboration between teachers and librarians, the challenges faced in education, and the joy of making connections with students and fellow educators. You can connect with Jenn and Mel: TeacherLunchJennMel@gmail.com. They are also on IG and TikTok @ JennMel4. Join them on YouTube as well ‪@jennmel4‬. If you enjoy this podcast and this space, we invite you to SUBSCRIBE. If you're wanting to connect with Dr. Bain, please visit GoodHumansEducate.com. Take-Aways: Teacher Lunch started as a fun way to connect over lunch. The joy of teaching is rooted in relationships with students. Creating a safe space in the library is essential for students. Community support among teachers enhances the teaching experience. Storytelling is a powerful tool in education. Read-alouds are crucial for developing a love for reading. Motivating reluctant readers requires creativity and patience. Teachers should encourage students to choose their own reading materials. The partnership between teachers and librarians is vital for student success. Celebrating achievements in education fosters a positive environment.

In this episode, Dr. Staci Bain sits down with the brilliant and deeply committed Vicki Ferrari to talk about what it really takes to make Tier 1 work in real classrooms. Together, they dive into the clarity, coherence, and consistency teachers and leaders deserve, and why whole-group instruction remains the most powerful lever for literacy success. Vicki brings her extensive experience as a school leader to unpack what Tier 1 looks like on the ground, how schools can strengthen alignment, and the practical moves that help teachers feel more confident and supported. From daily routines to instructional decision-making to building a culture of success, this conversation is equal parts energizing and actionable. If you’re ready to strengthen Tier 1 for your students, empower your teachers, and bring more joy and success to whole-group instruction, this episode is your roadmap. Slay on, good humans. 💛📘👊🏽 Sincerely, Staci Bain, Ed.D. Co-Founder of Educate America LLC™ GoodHumansEducate.com

In this conversation, Tabatha Mires, the superintendent of Manson School District, shares her journey into education, her leadership philosophy, and the importance of public schools in fostering democracy. She discusses the district's success in improving literacy through direct instruction and the significance of community engagement in education. Mires emphasizes the need for collective efficacy among educators and offers advice for other superintendents on enhancing literacy at a tier one level.

🎙 Empowering Educators: A Conversation with Dr. Nathaniel Swain Season Two kicks off with a powerful and thought-provoking conversation between Dr. Staci Bain and returning guest Dr. Nathaniel Swain. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of literacy education, from supporting new teachers and principals to building strong Tier 1 systems that help every student thrive. Dr. Swain shares practical strategies for whole-class teaching, insights on reducing cognitive load, and reflections on balancing professional life with parenthood. He also introduces his new book, Harnessing the Science of Learning—a must-read for educators looking to simplify and strengthen their teaching practice. ✨ Grab Dr. Swain’s book here → https://www.nathanielswain.com/hsol-book 🎧 Whether you’re a classroom teacher, instructional coach, or school leader, this episode will inspire you to lean into what works and empower others along the way. ✅ Episode Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to Season Two 02:10 – What’s new with Dr. Nathaniel Swain 07:16 – Advice for new teachers entering the field 10:19 – Practical guidance for new principals 13:32 – Whole-class teaching: A flexible, high-impact approach 22:05 – Supporting experienced teachers in evolving systems 25:15 – Balancing parenthood and professional life 28:31 – Highlights from Harnessing the Science of Learning (and how to get it) 36:00 – Closing reflections and what’s ahead this season ✅ What You’ll Learn in This Episode • Why strong Tier 1 instruction is the foundation for success • Practical advice for new teachers and principals • How to share your expertise to strengthen your school ecosystem • The freedom that comes from structured literacy 🎙️ Favorite Sound Bites “It’s selfish not to share your expertise.” “Be a hands-on leader in your school.” “Structured literacy isn’t rigid—it’s freeing.” ✨ Subscribe for more inspiring conversations about literacy success!

In this conversation, Dr. DJ Bolger shares his extensive journey in literacy research, emphasizing the importance of brain imaging and the science of reading movement. He discusses the need for explicit teaching, the role of cultural humility, and the significance of understanding the unique backgrounds of students. Bolger highlights the complexities of reading as a cognitive process and the importance of evidence-based practices in education.

🎙 On the Road to Literacy Success by GoodHumansEducate Host: Dr. Staci Bain In this engaging episode, Dr. Leslie Laud shares insights from her extensive experience in writing instruction and its transformative impact on both students and teachers. Dr. Laud discusses her passion for teaching, the effectiveness of evidence-based writing strategies, and the significant gains observed in student performance. The conversation offers practical solutions for K-12 educators, emphasizing the need for professional development and the joy of seeing students thrive in their writing abilities. 📚 Key Takeaways: The joy of teaching comes from seeing students succeed. Writing instruction should start with oral modeling. Effective writing strategies can lead to significant student gains. Self-regulation is key to student independence in writing. Professional development is crucial for teacher growth. Evidence-based practices improve student outcomes. Community support is vital for implementing new strategies. Teachers can learn from each other through shared experiences. Writing instruction should evolve with grade levels. Celebrating student success is crucial for motivation. 👉 Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of On the Road to Literacy Success, dedicated to driving literacy growth! Also, visit us at GoodHumansEducate.com to transform your Tier 1 practices. #OnTheRoadToLiteracySuccess #DrLeslieLaud #WritingInstruction #EvidenceBasedPractices #GoodHumansEducate

In this conversation, Educate's Founder (Staci) interviews Angy Graham, the Executive Director of PK Curriculum and Instruction at Rankin County School District in Mississippi. They discuss how the district achieved significant improvements in literacy outcomes, with 89% of kindergartners reaching grade level according to iReady by the end of 2024. They also talk about the district's focus on Tier 1 instruction, the importance of collaboration and collective practices, and the impact of their efforts on student success. Angy Graham shares the district's journey, the results they have achieved, and their plans for the future. KEYWORDS: literacy success, Rankin County School District, Mississippi, kindergarten, iReady, tier one instruction, collaboration, collective practices, student success TAKEAWAYS: Rankin County School District in Mississippi achieved significant improvements in literacy outcomes, with 89% of kindergartners reaching grade level according to iReady by the end of 2024. The district's success can be attributed to their focus (by teachers and leaders) on Tier 1 instruction and the implementation of collective practices across all grade levels. Collaboration and communication between teachers, leaders, and administrators played a crucial role in the district's achievements. The district's efforts have had a positive impact on student success, with increasing percentages of students performing at or above grade level. Rankin County School District's story has gained recognition and they have been invited to share their experiences and strategies at various conferences and events. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 00:28 Implementation and Challenges 00:51 Expanding the Implementation 02:04 Building a Bench of Educate Facilitators 03:20 Empowering Teachers with Tier One Training 05:39 Repurposing Resources for Success 08:31 Data-Driven Results 09:59 Excitement of Seeing Success 10:12 Reflections on the Journey and Future Plans 10:54 Unifying the District and Meeting in the Middle 13:13 Expanding the Focus to Grades 9-12 15:40 Recognition and Humility 16:12 Sharing the Story and Future Engagements 22:51

Are you ready for the messy work of teaching and learning to make more sense? In this episode, Nate Joseph, a dynamic researcher and author, provides listeners with clear language on research theories and instructional practices to get us/keep us on the literacy road. With his background as a scholar, educator, and writer, Nate Joseph brings a wealth of knowledge that is both practical and inspiring. Feeling curious about RtI? Research theories? Classroom practices? Don’t miss this episode! If you really enjoy it, consider grabbing a copy of Nate’s latest book, The Scientific Principles of TEACHING: Bridging the Divide Between Educational Practice and Research. It’s sure to be an essential resource in your literacy toolkit. Enjoy the podcast, good humans! Your Tier 1 / MTSS pal, -Staci Staci Bain, Ed.D. GoodHumansEducate.com

Whole class teaching, also known as whole group instruction, often gets dismissed as "rigid", "one-directional", "ineffective". If you find yourself frequently defending whole group instruction, this podcast will uplift your teaching and learning spirit. I n this episode, Dr. Nathaniel Swain provides countless engaging and effective ways to teach an entire class of students well. As a researcher, author, professor, practitioner, and dad, Dr. Swain brings a rich perspective to this podcast's conversation. If you find yourself inspired and intrigued, stay tuned for part two of our conversation! You can also preorder Dr. Swain's book entitled, "Harnessing the Science of Learning: Success Stories to Help Kickstart Your School Improvement". It's bound to be a GREAT addition to your teaching and learning life. Enjoy the podcast, good humans! Your Tier 1 / MTSS pal, -staci Staci Bain, Ed.D. GoodHumansEducate.com