Route2Reading

For years, teachers have been told to meet students where they are—find their instructional reading level, put them in a just-right text, and group them with other students reading at a similar level. But what if that approach is actually limiting how much students can learn? In this episode of Route2Reading, I sit down with literacy researcher and author Dr. Tim Shanahan to talk about reading levels, small-group instruction, grade-level text, and what the research actually tells us about supporting struggling readers. Tim brings nearly 60 years of experience in reading education to this conversation—as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, professor, researcher, and former Director of Reading for Chicago Public Schools. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Brennan Chandler, Assistant Professor of Dyslexia at Georgia State University, to talk about how schools can move beyond simply collectingliteracy data and actually use it to make better instructional decisions. We dig into what a meaningful data deep dive looks like—from looking at schoolwide benchmark data to identifying grade-level patterns, examining specific subtests, and ultimately determining what instruction students actually need. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

Before you start buying new resources, rewriting your literacy block, or planning every detail of next year, there is one thing that matters more than all of it: reflection. In this episode, I share why the most effective teachers don't begin summer planning by searching for new programs or activities. Instead, they start by examining what actually worked, what didn't, and which instructional routines truly supported student growth throughout the year. If you've ever felt pressure to completely reinvent your literacy instruction every summer, this episode will help you step back, simplify, and focus on what matters most. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

In this episode of the Route2Reading Podcast, I sit down with Pryor (Orton Gillingham Mama) to talk about how parents can support their young readers at home using simple, effective, and realistic strategies. Drawing from her experience as both an Orton-Gillingham educator and a mom, Pryor shares what actually makes a difference—and what doesn't—when it comes to helping children learn to read. We break down what parents need to understand about how reading develops, how to make the most of just 10 minutes a day, and how to support children emotionally when reading feels hard. If you're a parent, or you work with families who want to help but aren't sure how, this episode will give you clear, doable next steps. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

In this episode, I sit down with Treasa Bowe, an educator from Ireland, to talk about literacy instruction across countries. We unpack the differences between Ireland and the U.S., what's contributing to teacher overwhelm, and what actually matters most when it comes to supporting students. This conversation is a good reminder that we don't need to do more—we need to be more intentional with what we choose to focus on. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

This week on the podcast, I'm joined by educators from PS152Q in Queens to talk about what it really looks like to shift a school toward structured literacy. We dive into how their team moved away from practices that weren't serving all students and began building a literacy block grounded in explicit phonics, intentional routines, and strong Tier 1 instruction. What makes this conversation so powerful is that it's not theoretical—it's the story of teachers and leaders doing the hard work in real classrooms, navigating challenges, analyzing data, and watching students begin to thrive as instruction becomes clearer and more aligned. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

In this episode, I sit down with speech-language pathologist Sydney Bassard to unpack one of the most powerful (and often misunderstood) tools in literacy instruction: spelling error analysis. Together, we explore how spelling, reading, and writing are deeply interconnected—and why looking beyond percent correct can completely change how we support students. Whether you're a classroom teacher, literacy coach, interventionist, or SLP, this conversation will help you see student spelling errors not as mistakes, but as meaningful data. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

In today's episode, I sit down with the incredible Dr. Maria Murray, founder and CEO of The Reading League, to talk about one of the most consequential decisions schools make: choosing a reading curriculum. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by programs, sales pitches, reviews, or state requirements, this conversation is a breath of fresh air. Dr. Murray shares her story—from researcher to reading scientist to starting The Reading League—and explains why knowledge-building and ongoing support are essential for schools implementing evidence-aligned reading instruction. Together, we unpack what curriculum decision-makers really need to know, what red flags to watch for, and why implementation matters just as much as the curriculum itself. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

In This Episode, We Cover Understanding Dyslexia and Misconceptions What dyslexia actually is Why eligibility labels alone are not enough How co-occurring needs (like ADHD) influence support Why early identification matters What Effective Support Looks Like Why intervention is not one-size-fits-all The myth of relying on brand-name programs instead of strong interventionists How to individualize minutes, intensity, and instructional needs Why waiting is the most damaging "intervention" CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

In this episode, we sit down with writing expert and longtime educator Amy Siracusano to unpack what early writing instruction should look like—and why so many teachers struggle with it. From handwriting and stroke formation to moving students from oral language to letters, words, and eventually sentences, Amy brings clarity to a process that often feels overwhelming in K–2 classrooms. Together, we explore why writing has been left out of the Science of Reading conversation, how foundational skills set students up for success, and practical ways teachers can support young writers without frustration or shutdowns. Amy shares actionable steps, classroom routines, and scaffolds that make writing more accessible, especially for multilingual learners and students who need more explicit support. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

Have you ever wondered what it takes to write your own decodable books—or how to make them both phonics-aligned and fun to read? In this episode of the Route2Reading Podcast, Amie sits down with Brooke Vitale, former children's book editor turned author and co-creator of Charge Mommy Books, to talk about how she began writing decodable texts during the pandemic and what she's learned along the way. Brooke shares her journey from working with top publishers like Penguin and Disney to creating her own line of decodable readers that blend phonics progression, story engagement, and authentic language. Together, Amie and Brooke unpack practical tips for teachers who want to fill gaps in their phonics sequence or even try writing their own decodables. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

What if I told you morphology isn't too advanced for young readers—it's actually the missing piece that makes decoding, spelling, and vocabulary stick? In this episode, I'm joined by two of my favorite literacy leaders, Michelle Sullivan and Sarah Paul, to talk all things morphology. We unpack what it is, why it matters from the very start of reading instruction, and how to make it engaging and approachable for even our youngest students. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES