The Reading Symphony

📚 Join Me for My Stop the Summer Slide Workshop - June 14th👉 Register here: https://go.thereadingsymphony.com/offer-5901Katie hosts Phyllis Hakeem, Professor of Education at Bay Path University, for a thought-provoking conversation about the science of reading, neuroscience, structured literacy, and why educators must embrace the principle of "do no harm" when teaching children to read.PHYLISS'S LINKSLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phyllis-hakeem-a92b4838Email:phakeem@baypath.edu Bay Path University: https://www.baypath.edu/Faculty Profile: https://www.baypath.edu/academics/faculty-directory/biography/phyllis-hakeem/Reading & Literacy Programs: https://www.baypath.edu/academics/graduate-programs/reading-literacy-instruction-msed-eds/📩 JOIN MY EMAIL LISTGet practical literacy tips, resources, podcast updates, and insights to help every child become a confident reader.Join here: https://link.fgfunnels.com/widget/form/M03vMOX9hAn6YOt6J7HNCHAPTERSCHAPTERS00:00 – Do No Harm: Why Reading Instruction Matters01:43 – Meet Phyllis Hakeem05:18 – From Neuroscience to Literacy Education08:38 – Finding Joy in Literacy Work11:03 – Why Phyllis Says "Do No Harm"12:54 – Practice Makes Permanent in the Brain15:13 – Understanding Reading Assessment and DIBELS Data17:24 – Fluency Is More Than Reading Speed19:18 – Marketed Misconceptions in Education19:37 – Science of Reading and Marketing Claims20:09 – Research-Based vs Evidence-Based21:40 – How to Evaluate Literacy Research24:18 – When Curriculum Isn't Enough25:00 – Intellectual Humility and Lifelong Learning25:25 – You'll Never Know It All26:03 – Prior Knowledge vs Background Knowledge27:33 – Building Better Literacy Systems28:18 – Bay Path University's Literacy Program31:00 – Preparing the Next Generation of Reading Teachers

📚 Join Me for My Stop the Summer Slide Workshop – June 14thLearn practical, evidence-based strategies to help your child maintain reading progress and confidence over the summer.👉 Register here:https://go.thereadingsymphony.com/offer-5901Katie welcomes Jaenine Cortazar Rodriguez, literacy consultant, educator, and co-founder of Boston Literacy Ladies, for a conversation about teacher coaching, literacy instruction, educator burnout, and the support teachers need to help students thrive.Jaenine shares how she and her business partner built Boston Literacy Ladies to provide personalized coaching and practical support for educators navigating curriculum changes, literacy instruction, classroom management, scheduling, intervention planning, and professional growth.Together, Katie and Jaenine discuss the science of reading, teacher efficacy, family-school partnerships, professional development, dyslexia screening, instructional coaching, and why supporting teachers is one of the most effective ways to improve outcomes for students.This episode is for educators, school leaders, literacy coaches, parents, and anyone interested in strengthening literacy instruction and supporting teachers.Jaenine's Links:Website: https://www.bostonliteracyladies.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bostonliteracyladies/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bostonliteracyladiesTikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@boston.literacy.ladies📩 Join My Email ListGet practical literacy tips, resources, podcast updates, and insights to help every child become a confident reader.Join here:https://link.fgfunnels.com/widget/form/M03vMOX9hAn6YOt6J7HNChapters00:00 – Introduction to Jaenine Cortazar Rodriguez00:45 – Stop the Summer Slide Workshop Announcement02:00 – Why Boston Literacy Ladies Was Created04:20 – The Isolation Many Teachers Experience05:15 – The Biggest Challenges Teachers Face Today06:50 – Coaching Teachers Across Grade Levels08:10 – Family Partnerships & Building Trust10:00 – Why Parent Workshops Often Struggle11:45 – Reaching Families Who Need Support Most13:00 – Helping Families Understand Reading Data15:40 – Dyslexia Screening & Early Intervention19:00 – What Effective Teacher Support Looks Like20:15 – Teacher Burnout & Low Teacher Efficacy21:45 – Curriculum Overload & Initiative Fatigue23:30 – Why Teachers Shouldn't Have to Write Curriculum24:45 – Supporting Teachers Through Change27:00 – Improving Family Communication28:00 – What Gives Jaenine Hope About Literacy Education

📚 Join Me for My Stop the Summer Slide Workshop – June 14thLearn practical, evidence-based strategies to help your child maintain reading progress and confidence over the summer.👉 Register here:https://go.thereadingsymphony.com/offer-5901Katie Megrian hosts Missy Purcell, a literacy and inclusion advocate, educator, and parent, to discuss what parents can do when they know something is wrong but the school data says their child is “fine.”Missy shares how advocating for her dyslexic son’s right to read led her into parent advocacy, structured literacy work, and state-level dyslexia reform. She explains why grades can hide serious reading struggles, how dyslexic children often compensate, and why parents should trust their gut when reading, spelling, writing, or school avoidance feels off.Katie and Missy discuss dyslexia, reading intervention, evidence-based instruction, Orton-Gillingham style support, IEP meetings, school pushback, dyslexia screening, and how to support children after a long, exhausting school day.This episode is for parents of struggling readers, educators, and advocates who want to better understand dyslexia, the science of reading, structured literacy, and how to support children who learn differently.Missy is the co-founder of Gwinnett Advocates for Dyslexia and serves as Education Chair with Decoding Dyslexia Georgia.Missy’s links:Website: https://misspurcell.com/Instagram: @misspurcelladvocatesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/misspurcelladvocates/X / Twitter: @MissyPurcellLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/missy-purcell-84061b143/📩 Join My Email ListGet practical literacy tips, resources, podcast updates, and insights to help every child become a confident reader.Join here:https://link.fgfunnels.com/widget/form/M03vMOX9hAn6YOt6J7HNChapters:00:00 – Opening: “I Shouldn’t Be the Most Knowledgeable Person in the Room”01:18 – Meet Missy Purcell: Dyslexia Advocate & Educator03:10 – Fighting the School System to Get Her Son Help09:40 – When Good Grades Hide Reading Struggles15:20 – How Parents Can Spot Dyslexia Early and Push for Support33:59 – What Effective Reading Intervention Looks Like36:20 – Why Dyslexia Laws Need Real Accountability43:50 – How Parents Can Advocate With School Boards50:20 – Being Brave When Your Child Is Being Failed01:03:00 – Helping Dyslexic Kids Decompress After School#dyslexia #scienceofreading #structuredliteracy #strugglingreaders #parentadvocacy

Linda Farrell and Michael Hunter are founding partners at Readsters in Alexandria, VA. They work in schools all over the country to help educators provide assessment and instruction that ensures all students learn to read.Teachers tell Linda and Michael that they appreciate the practicality of their consulting and their presentations. The reason they can provide practical solutions for helping struggling readers is that they have taught struggling readers from ages 4½ to 81 to read. They also learn from the hundreds of teachers they have worked with in the classroom who work their magic every day with students. Linda and Michael have presented workshops about effective instruction for beginning and struggling readers for more than 20 years. They participated in reviewing required early reading courses in all colleges and universities in two states. They have coauthored curricula for struggling readers and diagnostic assessments to pinpoint decoding difficulties. Linda is the instructor in Looking at Reading Interventions on the Reading Rockets website. Michael is featured in videos used to demonstrate effective teaching techniques in LETRS modules.Episode SummaryKatie sits down with two titans of literacy intervention — Michael Hunter and Linda Farrell — whose unconventional paths from investment banking and concrete construction led them to become nationally recognized reading specialists. Together, they unpack the most common reasons children struggle to read, how to identify exactly where a student is stuck, and the powerful (and often overlooked) practice strategies that make the difference between a child who can read and a child who reads fluently and automatically.https://www.readsters.com/https://www.decodingdyslexia.net/

In this special live episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast, Katie sits down with colleague and friend Kindred Obas for a conversation about joyful reading culture, complex texts, identity, and the kinds of classroom experiences that help children see themselves as readers.Together, Katie and Kindred discuss:how to build a classroom culture where reading feels joyful, social, and meaningfulwhy classroom libraries should include both mirrors and windowswhat Kindred learned from watching students move from books like Dog Man to much more complex texts over timehow her sixth grade Jane Austen book club is helping students grow as readers, thinkers, and community memberswhy exposure to complex text, paired with support and belonging, can strengthen comprehension and confidencehow families can talk with children about harder histories with honesty, empathy, and carewhy it matters to offer books about children of color that are not only rooted in struggle, but also in joy, curiosity, and possibilityKindred’s next chapter at Stanford, where she will study curriculum, teaching, race, language, and healing-centered approaches to teaching hard historyThis episode is a beautiful reminder that reading growth is not just about skill. It is also about identity, access, belonging, and the communities we build around books.Katie Megrian | 10:15 AM (0 minutes ago) | | to meFundraiser by Kindred Obas : Fund Our Journey to Jane Austen's England https://www.gofundme.com/f/fund-our-journey-to-jane-austens-england https://www.gofundme.com/f/fund-our-journey-to-jane-austens-england?attribution_id=sl:e9fcfcf6-52f6-4666-8406-5c5cc968e35a&lang=en_US&ts=1773612248&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_content=amp17_tb-amp20_t2&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_linkBooks and Texts Kindred DiscussesKindred by Octavia ButlerEmma by Jane AustenA Wind in the Door by Madeleine L’EngleA Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’EnglePersuasion by Jane AustenNorthanger Abbey by Jane AustenOne Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-GarciaAda Twist, Scientist by Andrea BeatyThe Youngest Marcher by Cynthia Levinson and Vanessa Brantley-NewtonLove Is by Diane AdamsThe Great Cake Mystery by Alexander McCall SmithThe Breakfast Club Adventures series by Marcus RashfordThe Joy Luck Club by Amy TanMillicent Min, Girl Genius by Lisa YeeStanford Wong Flunks Big-Time by Lisa Yee

Episode SummaryIn this episode, Katie sits down with literacy advocate and author Elise Lovejoy, creator of Express Readers and founder of The Teacher’s Table. Elise shares her journey into the science of reading, explains the critical difference between leveled readers and decodable books, and offers practical guidance for parents supporting early readers at home. She also discusses the importance of research-aligned instruction in schools and how The Teacher’s Table is helping teachers access credible, evidence-based resources.In This Episode, We Discuss:How Elise began writing decodable books to make early reading both effective and joyfulThe difference between leveled readers and decodable texts — and why it mattersWhy guessing words from pictures can undermine long-term reading developmentWhat makes a strong decodable bookA simple, low-stress routine parents can use when decodables come homeThe importance of repeated practice and building automaticityHow parents can advocate for science-aligned reading instructionSigns that a school is moving toward (or away from) evidence-based literacy practicesWhy ongoing teacher professional learning is essentialThe mission behind The Teacher’s Table and how it supports teachers with research-backed resourcesKey Takeaways for ParentsDecodable books align directly with the phonics skills children have been taught.It’s okay to help with tricky words — reading practice should feel supportive, not stressful.Re-reading builds fluency and confidence.Asking thoughtful questions is one of the most powerful advocacy tools parents have.Supporting teachers ultimately supports all children.Resources MentionedExpress Readers – Decodable book series👉 expressreaders.orgThe Teacher’s Table – Research-aligned literacy membership for educators👉 theteacherstable.orgTo set up a gift subscription to The Teacher’s Table, email contact@theteacherstable.org!

Episode SummaryIn this episode, Katie talks with Dr. Marnie Ginsberg about what helps kids learn to read and why so many teachers were never given the tools to fix word-reading problems. Dr. Ginsberg shares the story that launched her career: sixth-grade students reading years below grade level and a breakthrough approach that helped them make dramatic gains in a single spring.Together they unpack the research-to-practice gap (and why effective interventions still “sit on a shelf”), and then get very practical: Marnie explains how Reading Simplified teaches phonics without over-relying on rules, using the brain’s pattern detection (statistical learning) plus carefully designed contrast (sit/sat, mat/map/mop) to accelerate decoding.You’ll also hear a clear explanation of phonemic awareness vs. phonics, why separating them often creates inefficiency, and how Marnie integrates them through simple routines like Build It and Switch It—activities that feel like games but powerfully build the alphabetic principle.Finally, Marnie and Katie talk state curriculum lists, why implementation details matter, and what parents can advocate for during literacy reform—plus Marnie’s direct call to limit screens and protect attention.Key TakeawaysMany struggling readers don’t need “more exposure”—they need explicit instruction that helps them attend to the inside parts of words.The research-to-practice gap isn’t only about evidence. It’s also about incentives, funding streams, and the skillset of dissemination.“Good phonics” doesn’t have to mean a heavy diet of rules. Pattern-based learning can be explicit and still leverage kids’ natural ability to detect patterns.Keeping kids in “short-vowel land” too long can starve them of the data they need to reach reading “escape velocity.”Integrating phonemic awareness and phonics—rather than teaching them in separate lanes—can unlock the alphabetic principle faster.Parents should push for early identification and support (including dyslexia screening and services) and for true expertise in curriculum decision-making.Reading grows in a home environment that protects attention: limit screens, read aloud longer than you think, and listen to kids read longer than you think.Topics We CoverMarnie’s path from sixth-grade teacher → tutor → researcher → founder of Reading SimplifiedWhy whole language/balanced literacy didn’t solve decoding strugglesWhat TRI is and how it connects to Reading SimplifiedThe “17-year research-to-practice gap” and why it persistsLinguistic phonics / speech-to-print and organizing the code by soundStatistical learning, contrast, and “set for variability” (without turning into guessing)Why context is part of reading—but print must be primary for beginnersPhonemic awareness vs phonics: what they are, why both matterTry This at Home / In the ClassroomSwitch It (5 minutes, feels like a game): Use letter tiles/cards to build a simple word (mop). Then “switch” one sound at a time to make a new word (mop → map → sap → sip). The magic is in the contrast and the attention to each sound position.Free resources and demo videos: readingsimplified.com/switch-itConnect with Dr. Marnie GinsbergWebsite: ReadingSimplified.com Free Switch It resources: ReadingSimplified.com/switch-it Instagram: @readingsimplifiedConnect with Katie / The Reading SymphonySubstack: katiemegrian.substack.com Instagram: @thereadingsymphony

In this episode of the Reading Symphony Podcast, host Katie Megrian engages in a comprehensive conversation with Gaby Diller, founder of Lotus Advocacy. Launched in 2020, Lotus Advocacy aims to support special education departments, families, and students by centering families as essential members of the special education team. Gaby shares insights on her personal journey with learning challenges and her extensive experience as a special education teacher and administrator. She offers practical advice on creating effective IEPs, the importance of specific and strength-based goals, the necessity of multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), and the benefits and limitations of private evaluations. Gaby also emphasizes the role of collaboration and transparency in advocating for students' needs. This episode provides valuable insights for families, educators, and advocates striving to support children with special needs in their reading and overall educational journey.00:00 Introduction to the Reading Symphony Podcast00:27 Meet Gaby Diller: Founder of Lotus Advocacy01:23 Gaby's Personal Journey and Professional Path04:21 Understanding and Supporting Students with IEPs07:53 Navigating Evaluations and School Responsibilities12:57 Effective IEP Goals and Interventions18:01 Creative Collaboration and Advocacy Strategies22:41 Closing Thoughts and ResourcesWhere to find Gaby?https://www.lotusadvocacy.com/https://www.instagram.com/lotusadvocacy/https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriela-diller-8b056230/

In this episode of the Reading Symphony Podcast, Katie Megrian hosts Whitney Whealdon, a career educator and learning architect. They discuss the critical role of background knowledge in reading comprehension, the development of Louisiana's ELA guidebooks, and the importance of coherent and aligned literacy curricula. Whitney shares insights from her career journey, innovation in curriculum development, and the Wonderwood app, designed to help children build knowledge. They also explore practical ways parents can support their children's literacy development at home. Key takeaways include cultivating curiosity, leveraging interconnected knowledge, and advocating for robust science and social studies instruction.00:00 Welcome to the Reading Symphony Podcast00:30 Introducing Whitney Whealdon01:33 Whitney's Journey in Education03:23 The Importance of Background Knowledge08:58 Curriculum Transformation in Louisiana32:43 Building Knowledge at Home with Wonderwood43:09 Final Thoughts and ResourcesWhere to find Whitney:Secret Life of Learning Substack: https://whitneywhealdon.substack.com/ Knowledge Builders Club for Families: https://www.facebook.com/groups/knowledgebuildersclub/Wonderwood: https://wonderwood.me/en-us/Additional ResourcesLatent Semantic AnalysisHow book-rich, knowledge-rich curriculum is fueling the Southern Surge by Karen VaitesThe Knowledge Gap by Natalie Wexler

In this episode of the Reading Symphony Podcast, host Katie Megrian interviews Dr. Julia B. Lindsey, a literacy expert and author of 'Reading Above The Fray.' They discuss how reading develops, the importance of evidence-based practices in literacy instruction, the role of phonics and comprehension, and the use of small group instruction. Dr. Lindsey shares her insights on the prerequisites for reading comprehension, ongoing professional development for teachers, and the integration of technology in reading instruction. She also emphasizes the significance of making reading instruction practical and actionable for educators and families. Throughout the conversation, the importance of clarity, explicitness, and coherence in teaching literacy is highlighted, with Dr. Lindsey providing practical tips for parents and educators. The episode concludes with recommendations on resources and ways to support children's reading development at home.https://www.juliablindsey.com/https://www.beyonddecodables.com/email: hello@juliablindsey.comhttps://www.instagram.com/juliablindsey/00:00 Introduction to the Reading Symphony Podcast00:26 Meet Dr. Julia B. Lindsey: Literacy Expert03:22 The Journey from Classroom to PhD04:42 Writing 'Reading Above the Fray'07:51 Understanding How Children Learn to Read13:46 A Day in the Life of an Early Elementary Classroom22:08 Red Flags in Reading Instruction30:04 Improving Teacher Training and Professional Development33:23 Effective Small Group Instruction37:00 The Role of Technology in Reading Education39:38 Looking Forward: The Future of Reading Education43:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

🎙 Episode: Making Words Stick and Read-Alouds for All Learners (with Dr. Molly Ness)In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast, Katie Megrian sits down with Dr. Molly Ness, former classroom teacher, reading researcher, teacher educator, and author of six books (with a seventh on the way). Molly is known for translating research into practical, usable moves for teachers and families, and this conversation is packed with exactly that.Together, Katie and Molly dig into two big questions families ask all the time:How do we help words actually “stick” so kids become fluent readers?What can we do at home to build language and comprehension in ways that feel doable?You’ll learn why memorizing word lists often fails, what “orthographic mapping” really means in plain language, and how read-alouds can be one of the highest-leverage tools for building vocabulary, knowledge, and comprehension at any age.In this episode, we cover:Molly’s path from Teach For America to reading research and why she’s passionate about closing the research-to-classroom gapThe concept of orthographic mapping and why it matters for fluency and comprehensionWhy flashcards and rote memorization often don’t lead to lasting word learningThe difference between sight words, high-frequency words, and heart words, and how to think about them at homeWhy spelling is one of the best windows into a child’s literacy developmentA parent-friendly way to support tricky patterns, including r-controlled vowelsHow to talk to teachers with curiosity, not conflict, when homework or instruction doesn’t feel alignedMolly’s best read-aloud advice for families, including:The “decline at nine” and why you should keep reading aloud well past third gradeWhy reading informational text matters more than most people realizeHow to use think-alouds (instead of constant questions) to model comprehensionWhy kids benefit when we expand beyond the books we loved growing up and how to find high-quality diverse book recommendationsMolly’s simple framework for getting kids to read more: ARC (Access, Relevance, Choice)Book and author shout-outs from the conversation:Making Words Stick (Molly Ness & Katie Pace Miles)Read Alouds for All Learners (Molly Ness)Authors mentioned: Matt de la Peña, Chris Van Dusen, Jarrett LernerConnect with Dr. Molly Ness:Molly’s website: mollyness.com (resources, videos, and contact info)Want more support from Katie?📩 Subscribe to Katie’s free weekly Substack: katiemegrian.substack.com 📱 Follow on Instagram: @thereadingsymphonyIf this episode helped you, it would mean a lot if you would follow the show, leave a quick 5-star rating or review, and share it with a parent, teacher, or caregiver who cares deeply about helping kids become joyful, confident readers.