"Literacy Leadership" The Learning Ally Podcast with Dr. Terrie Noland, CALP: Recent Episodes

Learning Ally

We are growing a community of educators dedicated to literacy leadership. Our mission is simple: to smash the literacy gap by applying evidence-based reading practices to all grades and all stages of a student's reading journey, effectively influencing up, down, and sideways to drive the best outcomes for all. This is a place where educators empower each other through relationship building, storytelling, vulnerability, and intentionality. We believe that when educators are empowered, students succeed.

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On this episode of the Learning Ally Literacy Leadership Podcast, host Dr. Terrie Noland discusses the critical role of parents and caregivers in the journey of literacy. Special guest Marielle Milano, Director of Family Engagement and Digital Outreach for Orange County Public Schools, shares her insights and experiences in cultivating a parent community to support academic success.

  • Learn more at www.LearningAlly.org

This episode was produced and edited by Elizabeth Zwerg & Rachel Huber.

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In this podcast episode, host Dr. Terrie Noland challenges traditional end-of-year school award ceremonies, advocating for more inclusive practices that recognize all students' efforts and achievements. Highlighting the need to celebrate progress, especially for students with dyslexia, Dr. Noland shares personal anecdotes and practical ideas for making every child feel valued. The episode calls on educators to rethink how they honor student accomplishments and to create joyful, motivational experiences for all.

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In this episode: Summer is around the corner, and it's not just about prepping our students! As literacy leaders, it's crucial to prioritize our own growth, and encourage the growth of those around us. Dr. Noland has some practical tips and ideas on how to maximize summer learning for ourselves as educators.

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In this episode: Dr. Noland, VP of Thought Leadership & Community at Learning Ally and Elizabeth Zwerg, Educator Community Manager at Learning Ally discuss the importance of honoring and appreciating teachers beyond Teacher Appreciation Week, what Teacher Appreciation week should be about, why community it important for educators and we share about one of our own "red threads" in the work we do; Spotlight on Dyslexia. Join us in this episode as we laugh, love, and honor educators.

Grab your Gold ticket, a $99/value for $75 this week only when you bring a friend. Use code SPOD24Buddy at checkout!

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In this episode: Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed in education. Join us in learning how Colleen Kirvan and her team empower at-risk youth through innovative educational tools like the Learning Ally Audiobook Solution. Dr. Noland hosts an extraordinary conversation around the commitment, grit, and passion to ensure all students learn and succeed.

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The first step in leading yourself is to put on the mindset of being a learner. Approach every interaction, every conversation, every meeting and every lesson with the mindset of a learner and you will see the significant different it makes.

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In the final segment of their Change-makers podcast miniseries, Dr. Terrie Noland is joined by colleagues Linda Diamond, Dr. Tim Odegard, and Dr. Tracy Weeden. The group reflects on what they learned about leading large and modeling for others throughout the series. They discuss various takeaways from the esteemed guests they've hosted, emphasizing themes such as the importance of involving all stakeholders, acknowledging the shortcomings in the education system, growing as a leader, the humility necessary in leadership, and the importance of maintaining a growth journey. The conversation highlights the attributes and actions necessary for educators and staff to contribute effectively to systemic change in the teaching and learning landscape.

Key Points:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:40 Reflections on the Leadership Journey

00:56 Key Takeaways from Esteemed Guests

01:17 The Importance of Involving Stakeholders

02:58 The Challenge of Depletion of Human Capital

03:32 The Role of Higher Education

04:12 The Power of Measured Voices

04:56 Bringing Honor Back to Teaching

05:16 The Impact of Change and Leadership

09:36 The Role of Parents in Education

11:05 The Importance of Growth and Learning

13:39 The Power of Humility and Vulnerability

16:43 The Role of Literacy in Shaping the Future

18:09 The Impact of Personal Experiences on Leadership

18:43 The Importance of Professional Learning

23:53 The Power of Hope and the Journey of Change

42:16 Conclusion: The Power of Leadership in Education

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In this episode, the co-hosts are joined by Ameer Baraka, an award-winning actor, author, dyslexia advocate, youth mentor, and prison coach. Baraka shares his inspiring journey of being a dyslexic who learnt to read as an adult due to his dyslexia not being diagnosed during his childhood. He highlights his descent into a criminal life and his eventual rise to success through education. Having benefited from mentors who encouraged him and believed in his potential, Baraka highlights the importance of mentorship and the need for early dyslexia screening and remediation. Baraka uses his life story to inspire others and advocates for literacy as a way of combating the high incarceration rates.

Visit LearningAlly.org to find out more about how you can unlock student potential through our equitable literacy solutions.

Key Points:

00:04 Introduction and Welcome

01:24 Introducing the Guest: Ameer Baraka

02:42 Ameer's Early Life and Struggles

04:55 Ameer's Journey into Crime and Drug Addiction

08:42 Ameer's Incarceration and Self-Realization

09:17 Ameer's Path to Literacy and Self-Improvement

14:32 Ameer's Advocacy for Early Dyslexia Screening

19:48 Ameer's Role in the First Step Act

23:30 Ameer's Views on Education and Society

27:04 Experiencing the System: Personal Insights

27:18 The State of Education: A Critical Look

29:12 The Power of Mentorship: Personal Stories

32:06 The Impact of Incarceration: A Discussion

37:22 The Power of Literacy: A Personal Journey

42:22 The Future of Literacy: A Vision

44:28 The Power of Storytelling: A Personal Mission

46:57 The Role of Literacy in Society: A Discussion

49:32 The Power of Literacy: A Call to Action

50:47 Conclusion: The Journey Ahead

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In this episode of the Literacy Leadership Change-makers miniseries, hosts Dr. Terrie Noland, Dr. Tracy Weeden, Dr. Tim Odegard and Linda Diamond converse with Resha Conroy, the founder of the Dyslexia Alliance for Black Children. As a mother of two children with learning disabilities, Resha shares her journey of fighting for her children’s education and breaking from the low expectations set for black students. The discussion dives deep into transformative literacy, the importance of evidence-based reading instruction, and the need for literacy and equity to go hand in hand for inclusive education and societal transformation. The hosts and Resha also explore the critical role of parents and the community in advocating for equitable access to education and literacy resources.

Key Points:

00:00 Introduction to Literacy Leadership Change-makers Miniseries

00:30 Highlighting the Parent Perspective in Literacy Movement

00:58 Introducing Resha Conroy: A Powerful Voice in Literacy Transformation

02:00 Resha's Personal Journey to Becoming an Education Advocate

04:41 The Formation of Dyslexia Alliance for Black Children

06:28 The Impact of Reading Challenges on Resha's Family

12:34 The Systemic Nature of Reading Challenges and the Role of Parents

14:31 The Historical Perspective of Literacy and Its Impact on Black Children

17:23 The Importance of Literacy in Achieving Equity

19:33 The Role of Parents and Community in Advocating for Literacy

20:34 The Need for Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction in Schools

25:23 The Importance of Asking the Right Questions as a Parent

29:25 The Political Struggle for Education Reform

31:05 The Power of Advocacy and Community Action

31:58 The Concept of Floating Schools: Immediate Solutions for Literacy

33:26 The Importance of Immediate Action and Systemic Change

34:51 The Generational Impact of Illiteracy

36:28 The Power of Literacy in Transforming Lives

44:03 The Role of Literacy in Accessing Systems and Resources

46:18 The Importance of Celebrating Cultural Diversity in Education

49:42 The Power of Resilience and Determination in Overcoming Challenges

52:14 The Role of Faith and Hope in Driving Change

54:24 Conclusion: The Need for Community Catalysts in Education

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This episode features an impassioned discussion with Sonya Thomas, the executive director of Nashville Propel, known for her fierce advocacy in the field of literacy transformation. She shares her personal struggle with her son being unable to read at grade level, pushing her towards transforming parental literacy advocacy and founding Nashville PROPEL, a Nashville, TN group that organizes and develops powerful parent leaders that demand equitable education policies and practices.

Engaging in a symphony of voices advocating for literacy leadership, Sonya voices her anger and determination to change the systemic failures of the educational system. Mentioning literacy as a broader societal issue, not limited by race, color or creed, Sonya specifically empathizes with parents’ struggles. The episode encourages listeners to champion the rights of all children to read through collective advocacy and calls for a deeper understanding of literacy beyond quick-fix solutions.Key Points:

00:04 Introduction: The Power of Literacy Transformation

00:52 Meet the Panel: Advocacy and Community in Literacy Leadership

01:54 Guest Spotlight: Sonya Thomas and Nashville Propel

02:39 Sonya's Personal Journey: The Fight for Literacy

04:57 The Impact of Illiteracy: A Personal Perspective

05:45 The Birth of Nashville Propel: A Movement for Change

06:41 The Betrayal of the Education System: A Parent's Perspective

07:44 The Emotional Damage of Illiteracy: A Call to Action

08:51 The Power of Parent Advocacy: Building a Movement

09:10 The Struggle for Academic Achievement in the Black Community

11:34 The Right to Read: A Human Rights Issue

13:32 The Role of Parents in Literacy Advocacy

15:41 The Importance of Reading: A Life-Changing Skill

16:48 The State of Literacy in Nashville: A Call for Accountability

23:31 The Role of Leadership in Literacy Advocacy

27:52 The Dirty Secret of Illiteracy

28:55 Channeling Passion into Constructive Outcomes

29:15 The Role of Parents and Educators in Literacy

30:11 The Struggle of Reading and Poor Instruction

30:59 The Pain of Dyslexia and Dystaughtia

33:18 The Fight for Literacy: A Personal Journey

35:11 The Importance of Educating Educators

37:55 The Power of Storytelling in Advocacy

46:28 The Struggles of Parents and the Socioeconomic Problem

49:58 The Importance of Data and Understanding Reading

52:16 The Role of Nashville Propel in Literacy Advocacy

54:20 Closing Remarks

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In this episode of our Change-makers podcast miniseries, Dr. Terrie Noland is joined by co-hosts Linda Diamond, Dr. Tracy White Weeden, and Dr. Tim Odegard to converse with guest Dr. Stephanie Stollar. Dr. Stollar discusses how we should educate pre-service teachers about the science of reading. She stresses on the 'silo-effect' and the importance of integrating teaching approaches within universities to better align with current research and effective teaching methodologies. The episode additionally explores policy changes as potential enablers to adapt science-oriented approaches in higher education. The conversation delves into the complexities of teacher training, the reality of the classroom environment, and understanding the difference in qualitative and quantitative research to help accelerate student outcomes. The participants also debate how universities need to play a more active role in creating teachers who can systematically apply teaching methodologies that have shown proven results from scientific research.

Key Points:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:51 Introducing the Special Guest

02:43 The Disconnect in Higher Education

03:50 The Role of Higher Education in Developing Quality Educators

06:39 The Importance of Engaging with Research Literature

07:22 The Liability of Lack of Engagement with Empirical Research

09:31 The Role of Qualitative Research in Education

11:41 The Impact of Personal Philosophy on Teaching Reading

13:28 The Role of Higher Education in Preventing Educator Failure

30:01 The Role of Policy in Higher Education

36:52 The Importance of Setting People Up for Success

37:54 The Need for Integration of Initiatives at the State Level

38:38 Engaging Universities in the Education Process

39:26 The Role of Communication in Education

40:31 The Power of Partnerships in Education

41:42 The Impact of University Education on Teacher Training

42:19 The Importance of Infrastructure for Change in Education

43:20 The Role of Policy in Changing Teacher Preparation

45:35 The Need for Acceleration in University Education

56:05 The Challenge of Accessing Academic Content for Teachers

01:06:28 The Role of In-Service Professional Development in Building Teacher Knowledge

01:08:54 The Importance of Community in Literacy Leadership

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In this episode of the Change-makers podcast miniseries from Learning Ally, literacy experts discuss strategies, opportunities, and challenges in improving literacy for multilingual learners. The discussion is led by co-hosts Linda Diamond, Dr. Terrie Noland, Dr. Tracy Weeden, and Dr. Tim Odegard, as they talk with featured guest Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan, a bilingual expert and literacy advocate. The conversation delves into the importance of literacy for multilingual learners, the role of educators in creating an inclusive and enriching learning environment, and strategies to effectively teach reading to multilingual learners. They also address the need for effective screening, assessment, and early, targeted intervention in literacy education for multilingual learners. Additionally, the complexities of aligning the science of reading to the needs of multilingual learners are discussed, with a focus on the challenges and potential solutions for implementing evidence-based practices in classrooms.

Key Points:

00:04 Introduction to Literacy Transformation

00:57 Introducing the Guest Speaker: Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan

02:25 Understanding the Science of Reading for Multilingual Learners

04:53 The Importance of Oral Language Proficiency in Literacy

05:43 The Role of Phoneme Awareness in Multilingual Learning

06:33 The Impact of Vocabulary and Comprehension on Multilingual Learning

06:49 The Importance of Evidence-Based Practices in Multilingual Learning

07:41 Specific Considerations for Improving Literacy Outcomes for Multilingual Learners

08:58 The Role of Phoneme Awareness in Multilingual Learning

11:00 The Importance of Fluency and Vocabulary in Multilingual Learning

16:02 The Challenges and Barriers to Implementing Multilingual Learning Practices

19:29 Effective and Appropriate Ways to Assess and Screen Multilingual Learners

26:43 The Importance of Data in Multilingual Learning

29:16 Finding Common Ground Between Advocates of Multilingual Students and the Science of Reading

33:14 Discussing Change Management and Social Contracts

33:45 The Role of Grassroots Activism in Social Change

34:35 Personal and Professional Lessons from Activism

35:36 The Importance of Community Involvement in Change

37:50 The Impact of Literacy on Job Opportunities

39:11 The Role of AI in the Knowledge Economy

40:13 The Power of Partnerships in Achieving Goals

40:32 The Importance of Individual Action in Change

41:22 The Role of Leadership in Community Change

41:53 The Importance of Involving Others in Change

42:36 The Role of Literacy in Community Development

44:51 The Challenges of Marginalized Communities

51:03 The Importance of Early Intervention in Literacy

51:59 The Impact of Legislation on Literacy Education

52:36 The Role of Technology in Addressing Literacy Gaps

59:16 The Importance of Parental Involvement in Literacy Education

01:04:02 Closing Remarks and Reflections on Literacy Leadership

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In this insightful episode, we dive deep into the journey of literacy transformation with Dr. Robert Sahli, Assistant Superintendent in Lodi Unified School District, California. The discussion covers a range of topics like the importance of phonemic awareness and phonics, the impact of coaching and continuous professional development, and the importance of early interventions and systematic instructions. Dr. Sahli also talks about the challenges of the pandemic and how it impacted the education system and how he navigated through it by using technology and virtual training for teachers. There are also discussions about the importance of English Language learner institutes and the approaches taken to improve literacy proficiency among multi-language learners.Join Learning Ally's award-winning Educator Community!

Key Points

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:08 Introducing the Guest Speaker

01:38 In-depth Discussion with Dr. Robert Sahli

02:42 Understanding Lodi Unified School District

05:06 Implementing the Science of Reading Process

06:01 Overcoming Challenges during the Pandemic

07:18 Expanding the Reading Program

07:31 Addressing the Teacher Shortage

10:11 Improving Literacy Outcomes for Multilingual Learners

14:17 Addressing the Needs of Migrant Students

16:10 The Importance of Ongoing Professional Development

17:08 The Impact of COVID-19 on Literacy Outcomes

18:49 The Importance of Early Literacy Assessment

19:50 The Role of Administrators in Literacy Transformation

19:50 The Role of Coaches in Literacy Transformation

36:04 The Importance of Family Engagement in Literacy

38:51 The Importance of Knowledge for Administrators

47:20 Avoiding Initiative Overload

48:22 The Importance of Ongoing Coaching and Support

52:14 Conclusion and Farewell

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In this episode, guest Dr. Rebecca Tolson shares her valuable insights on literacy leadership, transformation, and the importance of professional development. She emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to literacy, incorporating structured literacy, and stresses the importance of coaching and support for teachers' growth. The need for decision-making based on a balance of qualitative and quantitative data, as well as the elimination of silos in education systems, is also discussed. Rebecca also highlights some practical examples of leadership and change within Ohio's educational landscape. The discussion concludes with thoughts on the importance of empowering teachers and students, particularly in marginalized communities.Don't miss this thoughtful episode, and check out Learning Ally's ⁠Solutions for Schools⁠!Key Points:

00:04 Introduction and Welcome

01:45 Introducing the Guest Speaker

03:30 Guest Speaker's Journey in Literacy Education

05:55 The Importance of Professional Development in Literacy

09:51 The Role of Screening and Intervention in Literacy Education

24:37 The Importance of Leadership in Literacy Transformation

30:26 The Role of Compliance and Passion in Literacy Education

32:31 The Importance of Emotional Connection in Teaching

32:55 The Role of Superintendents in Education

33:29 The Power of Data in Education

33:51 Addressing Defiance in the Classroom

34:59 The Need for a Structured Approach in Multilingual Education

35:58 The Journey of Teaching and Learning

36:11 The Importance of Oral Language and Listening Comprehension

37:11 The Role of Professional Development in Education

37:59 The Importance of Small Steps in Teaching

38:27 The Challenges of Teaching Writing

39:41 The Role of Data in Education

43:44 The Importance of Accountability in Education

44:48 The Role of Effective Professional Development and Coaching

53:41 The Importance of Triangulating Data in Education

56:07 The Role of Leadership in Education

58:16 The Importance of Literacy for Life

58:43 The Impact of Qualitative Conditions on Teachers

01:03:05 Closing Remarks and Reflections

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In this episode, Dr. Michelle Rodriguez discusses her work as Superintendent of Pajaro Valley Unified School District in transforming literacy education. She shares how implementing targeted literacy programs, committing administrators to learning, and directly working with teachers and the community have led to major improvements. The discussion focuses on the district's success with systemic programs to make reading skills automatic, while emphasizing the vital roles of piloting to scale, consistency, sustainability, and using data to validate effectiveness.Check out Learning Ally's ⁠Spotlight on Literacy Leadership⁠ event, now on-demand, for a great place to start learning!

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Join us for this fifth episode of our miniseries, where our co-hosts are joined by the illustrious Dr. Art Cavazos, a dedicated educator and visionary administrator. Explore Dr. Cavazos' inspiring journey and gain profound insights into implementing change in the education context. Discover the importance of crafting a vision, fostering a growth mindset, and overcoming opposition with persistence. Dr. Cavazos shares practical strategies from his successful literacy initiatives, making this episode a must-listen for educators and change-makers.

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Welcome to an eye-opening episode where we're joined by Dr. Allison Peck, a leading expert in literacy education from the Neuhaus Education Center. Dr. Peck delves into the pivotal topic of the implementation of the Science of Reading and its potentially profound impact on our schools and communities.

We’ll discuss the pressing need for structured literacy and how it's transforming the way we teach reading. Education leaders need to be knowledgeable and well-prepared in structured literacy and backed by ongoing support and professional development. The benefits for students are immense.

Dr. Peck passionately advocates for a system where every student, regardless of background, has the opportunity to develop strong reading skills.

Join us as we embark on a journey to empower our schools, our teachers, and most importantly, our students through the science of reading. It's a conversation that will reshape your perspective on education. Don't miss it, and check out Learning Ally's Solutions for Schools!

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Join our co-hosts and Kareem Weaver as they discuss the profound impact of literacy on society. From its historical context to its connection to social justice, literacy has shaped the course of human existence.

In an increasingly digital and knowledge-based economy, access to literacy is essential for success and equal opportunities. The conversation delves into the school-to-prison pipeline and the dire consequences that illiteracy brings.

Tune in to this thought-provoking episode to understand the true significance of literacy and why it is a societal imperative. Don't miss this all-hands-on-deck moment in the pursuit of literacy as a human right!

Join Learning Ally's Educator Community to get started on this important work and learn together.

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In this episode, our esteemed co-hosts share their personal journeys and highlight the characteristics of effective literacy leaders. They emphasize the need for leaders who are constant learners, empower their educators, and provide the necessary resources and support.

They also discuss the moral imperative of ensuring literacy for all children and the transformative power of words and storytelling. Overall, the episode emphasizes the important role of literacy leaders in creating a brighter, more literate future.

Check out Learning Ally's Spotlight on Literacy Leadership event, now on-demand, for a great place to start!

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This is the opening episode in a Change-makers podcast miniseries featuring co-hosts Dr. Terrie Noland, Linda Diamond, Dr. Tim Odegard, and Dr. Tracy White Weeden.

Our hosts discuss the importance of literacy leadership and the impact of literacy on individuals and society. They reflect on past efforts such as Reading First and Common Core, and discuss the lessons learned and the need for continuous learning and growth in the field of literacy.

They emphasize the importance of leadership that adds value, continuous learning, and partnerships with stakeholders to drive change in literacy education. The leaders envision a future where leaders are well-prepared and equipped to address the challenges of literacy education and ensure that every student has the opportunity to become literate.

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This week Dr. Terrie Noland talks with educator, Chris Heim, whose journey in education has led him to understand literacy leadership doesn't necessarily mean title; it means leading where you are. Chris, an educator with administrator experience who ultimately went back into the classroom, and now is in a Specialist role talks about his "why" and how focusing on students' development has been a guiding light in his life. You won't want to miss this powerful conversation.

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Coming Next Week!

October 24th marks the launch date of the Literacy Leadership Change-makers mini-series. This 14 episode miniseries will take the place of regularly scheduled Literacy Leadership Podcast programming, and will feature mastermind miniseries co-hosts Linda Diamond, Dr. Tim Odegard, and Dr. Tracy Weeden, as they have extensive conversations with renowned thought leaders in the literacy space.

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Welcome back to the podcast! Summer break is done, and we're geared up for a dynamic season of content, community, and conversation.

In this episode: Dr. Terrie Noland sits down with two active, passionate, and engaged educators who serve as Ambassadors in the Learning Ally Educator Community. Rachel Huber and Leana Malinowsky are boots-on-the-ground educators who are leading large in literacy in their schools and districts.

Tune in to this episode to gain valuable insights into literacy leadership and how evidence-based practices are shaping the future of education. It's a conversation filled with passion, knowledge, and a commitment to empowering every educator to continue their journey towards literacy leadership.

Join the Community and be part of the movement.

Coming Soon!

October 24th marks the launch date of the Literacy Leadership Change-makers mini-series. This 14 episode miniseries will take the place of regularly scheduled Literacy Leadership Podcast programming, and will feature mastermind miniseries co-hosts Linda Diamond, Dr. Tim Odegard, and Dr. Tracy Weeden, as they have extensive conversations with renowned thought leaders in the literacy space.

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Do you realize there are several ways to leave footprints in this world, whether you are doing it consciously or unconsciously? Footprints can be left for good or left that creates negativity. Footprints can also be so light and insignificant that they get washed away by the next wave that comes along. In this podcast, Dr. Terrie Noland reminds us why we need to leave big, bold, strong, positive footprints as Literacy Leaders.

✪✪✪ As literacy leaders we need to leave FOOTPRINTS that last a lifetime. ✪✪✪


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This week Dr. Terrie Noland sits down with Dr. Molly Ness to dive in to the history and the current impact of Learning Ally's Spotlight on Dyslexia conference. They highlight some speakers and bring to light the energy and the feeling of community that is found at this epic event.

Join us! Register at www.learningally.org/SPOD

Use coupon code SPOD23PODCAST for $20.00 off

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This podcast space is a place where we not only focus on literacy and leadership, but we focus on the humans that bring Literacy Leadership to life. In this week's episode, Dr. Terrie Noland, takes a concept from Brendon Burchard, to help us center ourselves on how we can show up every day in the best way possible. This episode will leave you inspired to take your meds.

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Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to this podcast community! This week, Dr. Terrie Noland is joined by Elizabeth Zwerg, Community Manager at Learning Ally for a conversation around teacher appreciation. The Learning Ally Educator Community is a place of love and literacy leadership for everyone in it. In the conversation, we discuss: how big of a splash Teacher Appreciation Week is at Learning Ally, some inspirational quotes around leadership and education, stay tuned at the end of the podcast for some very special community member shout outs, and don't forget to join the Educator Community for a week of goodies and surprises!

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If we are working toward a collective vision of students become skilled and competent readers, we must hold that vision, but it's only through the small, repeated actions we take every day that will get us there. This podcast highlights how we need to hold that big vision but create consistency in our learning, growth and in the actions we take every day, and before long, we are close to our BIG VISION!

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We are following up on a thought from last week's podcast that said that we only use about 10% of our potential. What does that mean and what does potential look like, feel like, and sound like. This podcast dives into what potential is and how we can release the potential in our lives as well as the lives of our students.

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A simple book recommendation turned into thinking about how living a life of you squared can catapult us to the next level of literacy leadership. This episode highlights some simple principles that can be applied to living a life that creates velocity in this work.

Based on the book by Dr. Price Pritchett, we will learn the upleveled life that can have a tremendous impact on students.

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A literacy leader move that you can make is to connect with others while looking for commonalities rather than leading by directing. In this podcast, Dr. Terrie Noland gives a t-chart mental model of how to lead from a place that puts we before me. The podcast ends with a national example of a group of individuals that are leading literacy by looking for commonalities.

Webinar: Moving Past the Reading Wars: Peaceniks Lead the Way

https://home.edweb.net/webinar/readers20230329/

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Dr. LaTisha Smith, Director of Professional Development at St. Louis Public Schools in Missouri joins this week to share about why she has committed herself to the growth and development of thousands of educators in her district. She understands first-hand the power that comes along with professional learning and why it matters so much in literacy. In this podcast, we will highlight the leader moves that Dr. Smith is making to drive toward educator and student success. Her passion and purpose shines through. 

Learn more about Dr. LaTisha Smith

Learn more about Learning Ally's Professional Learning

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This week we are joined by a literacy leader that shares her journey from Balanced Literacy into the Science of Reading. As with many literacy leaders, Jeanne Schopf had the personal experience of her daughter's struggles with reasons which drive her passion to learn and discover more. You will hear about Jeanne's journey as well as what made her leave the classroom. Jeanne's story will most likely mirror the story of many of our listeners. 

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We can learn a lot from Michael Jordan. He never asked others to do what he was not willing to do himself. As administrators, we need to lead large in literacy by getting to know the discrete elements of teaching reading that is proven by research. This podcast gives reasons why top level positional leaders should commit to understanding the Science of Reading at a deep level. When you are grounded with knowledge and understand, your decisions will stem from that knowledge to guide a culture of literacy and learning in your school or district. 

Join the Community! 

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Brent Hartsell, Director of Solutions, Professional Learning joins the podcast this week to discuss key elements that should be included in professional learning. He shares the importance of respecting educator voice, while sharing knowledge and allowing for opportunities to practice what has been learned. Brent's passion for learning shines through and gives us critical elements to look for in high quality learning.

Spotlight on Dyslexia

Professional Learning Solutions

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On this Valentine's Day, we want to remind our listeners what it means to love out loud. To lead in such a way that we love first before we ever try to influence. This podcast highlights business case examples of individuals that have loved our loud to increase their influence.  These case examples should be transferred to education. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

We love you!

Become a Feature Teacher 

Register for Best of Spotlight: Literacy on Replay 

Follow us on Instagram

Join the Community! 

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Not only does grounding have an impact in our life, grounding ourselves when it comes to reading instruction will have a profound impact on our professional careers and on the lives of students.  When you ground yourself, you will make decisions based on that grounding.

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Dr. Molly Ness joins us this week to unpack what is meant by "Funds of Knowledge" in building students' language comprehension. She explains the differences between background knowledge, a term we are probably more familiar with, and funds of knowledge, and she explores how funds of knowledge relates to the Science of Reading.

Watch a webinar where Dr. Molly Ness dives in.  https://home.edweb.net/webinar/readers20230207/

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This week we will be taking a journey through the history of Learning Ally to discover leadership moves that needed to be made to propel our organization to a multi-solution literacy provider.  You will learn about the rich history of the organization as well as how literacy leaders need to pull some levers while leaving other levers unmoved.

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Literacy leaders need to create margins in their life. Just as a piece of notebook paper has margins and margins in a book are critical. This episode gives four guidelines on how to create margins in your life to create space for sustained thinking.

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Dr. Molly Ness and Dr. Terrie Noland talk this week about some sobering statistics about access to books for our students. "What keeps me up at night is that the statistics are just sobering about access to books across our country. We know that 45% of our nation's kids live in neighborhoods that lack public libraries, bookstores or homes where there's a stock and flow of books. 67% of our schools in our nation's lowest income neighborhoods can't afford to buy books at retail prices. And so when you take that data, the overarching result is that 32 million American kids go without books." 

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It's been said, "The more reflective you are, the more effective you are."  As literacy leaders we need to reflect on the past to prepare for the future. In this episode, Dr. Terrie Noland reflects on 2022 and pulls out 5 learnings and discusses how to apply them to the future.  Reflection is simple, the hard part is applying it to the future. 

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In order to know where we're going, we have to understand where we've been. Over the course of the last year, the Learning Ally Educator Community has experienced monumental growth, grown closer than ever in our relationships and partnerships with educational stakeholders of all kinds - all in an effort to close an ever-widening literacy gap in education.

In this episode: we get to know the Learning Ally Educator Community Manager, Elizabeth Zwerg, a little better and learn about her journey to become a Community Manager. We celebrate accomplishments in the Community including events that deepen learning such as Spotlight on Dyslexia, take a look back at community-building events such our our "Share the love" Valentine's Day gathering that brought together our volunteer and educator communities, and we celebrate as the Learning Ally Educator Community was nominated for 3 CMX Community Industry Awards. We close the episode with many personal shout outs to those who have supported, believed in, and helped to grow our Community over the last year. You won't want to miss this last episode of the Literacy Leadership podcast for 2022.

  • Join the Community
  • Nominate yourself, or someone you know, for the Winslow Coyne Excellence in Education Award now through 1/31/23

We wish you and yours a very happy holiday season.

With love and gratitude,

-Terrie, Eleanor, Elizabeth

Learning Ally Thought Leadership & Community Team

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Leadership looks different when you know what to consider.  With the surge of awareness and activity on social media lately around reading instruction, it is critical to remember what Literacy Leadership should look like. This episode showcases three aspects to consider that literacy leaders should do to build themselves and others as Literacy Leaders.  

Build: 

  1. Knowledge 

  2. People 

  3. Bridges 

Join us at our Learning Ally Educator Community. 

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There is an urgency in literacy and that's why I'm issuing an all-call on this podcast for individuals to step up into leadership and lead from where you are. You will know why we can't wait for perfection or wait until we've learned it all. You will learn about leading up, leading across leading down, and most importantly, leading you. The all-call is sounding and we need you and everyone you know to answer the call and lead from where you are. 

Sign up for the Spotlight on Literacy Leadership event for FREE and receive access to all of the recordings to hear how others are leading from where they are. 


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Dr. Molly Ness, Vice-President of Academic Content at Learning Ally shares information about the current release of the NAEP Scores (National Assessment of Educational Progress).  Rather than looking at the NAEP scores as an alarm with doom and gloom outcomes, Dr. Ness reminds us that they should be merely used to understand the temperature of where we are as a nation and serve as a tool to help us march toward a clear vision of reading instruction for the future.


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The  Spotlight on Literacy Leadership event hosted by Learning Ally is the basis of this two-part podcast series because I think it's important for us to help define, know, and understand what we mean by literacy leadership. This podcast and next week's podcast will help shape our thinking about what it means to be a literacy leader.

This week caps off the two part series by diving into the values of: integrity, trust, and legacy. 

Who are the people in your world that you would consider to be Literacy Leaders? Who are the people that are leading large around you? Is your name on that list? I hope it is.

Register for the Spotlight on Literacy Leadership virtual event to learn from individuals that are leading with courage.

Can't make it live- no worries, you will get access to the recordings.


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The Spotlight on Literacy Leadership event hosted by Learning Ally is the basis of this two-part podcast series because it's important for us to help define, know, and understand what we mean by literacy leadership. This 2-part podcast will help shape thinking around what it means to be a literacy leader.

When you hear the words literacy leader:

What comes to mind?

What do you think of?

Who do you think of?

Who are the people in your world that you would consider to be Literacy Leaders? Who are the people that are leading large around you? Is your name on that list? I hope it is.

Register for the Spotlight on Literacy Leadership virtual event to learn from individuals that are leading with courage.

Can't make it live- no worries, you will get access to the recordings.

In Undiagnosed: The Ugly Side of Dyslexia Ameer Baraka must reconcile his past through the misconception that he's unable to learn. This story will tug at your heart strings and leave you without a doubt of the power of having a literacy leader and champion in a person's life.


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Consistency is key when it comes to creating new habits in literacy leadership. We are living in a moment of unification around reading instruction. Let's learn together what the key measures are when implementing evidence-based reading instructional practices, and how we can come together as a community to implement these practices with fidelity. 


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Dr. Terrie Noland sits down with the Managing Partners, Gina Emdin, Shannon Penrose-Maddux, and Amanda Sink, for an in-depth look at the relationships they are building across the nation with schools and districts. In the second part of this 2-part series, Dr. Noland digs into the unique journeys that led each Managing Partner to Learning Ally, why building relationships with districts and educational stakeholders is necessary, and how a sense of community and belonging are essential to Learning Ally's mission.

Guests on this episode:

Amanda Sink - Managing Partner, Great Lakes

Shannon Penrose-Maddux - Managing Partner, West

Gina Emdin - Managing Partner, Northeast & Mid-Atlantic

This episode was produced by Eleanor Cotton and edited and engineered by Elizabeth Zwerg. 


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Dr. Terrie Noland sits down with the Managing Partners, Gina Emdin, Shannon Penrose-Maddux, and Amanda Sink, for an in-depth look at the relationships they are building across the nation with schools and districts. In the first part of this 2-part series, Dr. Noland digs into the unique journeys that led each Managing Partner to Learning Ally, why building relationships with districts and educational stakeholders is necessary, and how a sense of community and belonging are essential to Learning Ally's mission. 

Guests on this episode: 

Amanda Sink - Managing Partner, Great Lakes

Shannon Penrose-Maddux - Managing Partner, West

Gina Emdin - Managing Partner, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

This podcast is produced by Eleanor Cotton and edited and engineered by Elizabeth Zwerg. 


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Sustained thinking is where you're able to set aside time and start to think deeply. That's where we need to be in order to stretch ourselves and in order to grow. So this week we are talking about how literacy leaders are inspired with quotes. There is power in the words that make up inspirational quotes, and when we read them, we build self-efficacy in the kind of dialogue we have with ourselves. Literacy Leaders lean into quotes. We hope you will lean in with us this week. 

This episode was produced, edited, and engineered by Elizabeth Zwerg and Eleanor Cotton. 


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In this episode Dr. Noland dives into what the word "transformation" means. "When we're talking about aligning to the Science of Reading, advancing literacy outcomes and transforming, we need to think differently. We are changing the form from where we are today, to where we want to be, and how we want it to look different." In order for transformation to occur in literacy by aligning to the Science of Reading, literacy leaders need to be on the same page. Join us on this journey towards greater literacy leadership! 

This podcast episode was produced, engineered, and edited by Elizabeth Zwerg and Eleanor Cotton. 


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What do a pencil sharpener, white board, playground, bulletin board, and desk have in common? These items are all commonly found in classrooms and schools, however they can also serve as visual reminders of our purpose in education and reduce cognitive load on our brains. Dr. Terrie Noland guides us through how these common classroom items can serve as visual representations of our collective "why." 

This podcast episode was produced, edited, and engineered by Elizabeth Zwerg and Eleanor Cotton. 


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This week, Dr. Terrie Noland discusses "The Great Resignation." "You know it's out there. We have seen this global issue of people moving in their jobs, leaving their jobs, quitting their jobs. We've seen it in education as well. There's not a teacher shortage. We still have teachers. We've still got the same number of teachers  out there, they're just not in the classroom. It's not a teacher shortage. We  have a feeling valued, shortage. Feeling needed, shortage. Feeling relevant, feeling important, feeling equipped and not overwhelmed shortage. You've probably heard this saying people don't quit their job, they quit their boss. I also want to think about it like this, people don't quit their job, they quit the system." 

Podcast edited, produced, and engineered by Elizabeth Zwerg. 


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We've all been in a situation where we thought, "Wow! That person is difficult." In this episode, Dr. Terrie Noland challenges us to take a different approach to people who may appear "difficult." "Lead people according to their dreams. Coach people, according to their weaknesses. Mentor people according to their potential. Delegate according to their strengths. Relate to people according to their personalities." If we do those things, we won't see difficult people in our path. This powerful quote by John Maxwell is front and center in this week's episode as we shift perceptions on the people we interact with. Join us in the continued journey of literacy leadership. 


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Lewis Carroll wrote, “Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." In this episode, Dr. Noland challenges you to turn the "impossible" into "possible.”

Literacy leaders around the world are leading the way toward transformational change in literacy instruction. “You’re the ones carrying the torch, lighting the path, walking the halls, and reminding educators what we need to do for evidence-based practices of teaching, according to what the science says.”


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When you see a raised hand, what words come to your mind? Curiosity? Vulnerability? Courage? Leadership? Engagement? 

In this episode, Dr. Noland will discuss the importance of hand raising as literacy leaders. "Hand raising is about having a spirit within you that says I am willing to step my foot forward when it's uncomfortable. As literacy leaders, we need to be ones that are hand raisers. We are the go getters. We are the ones that forge the trail sometimes. Our passion is literacy outcomes. Our passion is transforming our world." Let's learn how to confidently and boldly raise our hands together. 


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In this dynamic conversation, Dr. John Wyble and Dr. Terrie Noland sit down to discuss the societal impacts of reading rates. In this episode the discussion centers around how the Center for Literacy and Learning are tackling these issues by bringing together cross-functional educational stakeholders. An increased awareness and education on the impacts of reading rates has created a grassroots mobilization effort in Louisiana. "It's going to start with bringing parents, educators, businesses, entrepreneurs, together, legislators, to be able to make impacts in improving literacy rates, because there is no greater societal impact at stake" says Dr. Terrie Noland.

About our guest, Dr. John Wyble:

Dr. John Wyble is an accomplished, nationally certified executive with more than 28 years of service as an

advocate for education, healthcare, quality of life, and economic independence for all citizens. As a leader,

strategist, and collaborator, Dr. Wyble brings diverse experience and has demonstrated success leading complex

organizations to sustained and strategic growth. His expertise includes executive leadership, organizational

growth and development, building collaborations and alliances, and governmental advocacy.

As President & CEO of The Center for Literacy & Learning, Dr. Wyble is bringing forward an aggressive vision

where all students are provided a strong foundation for lifelong learning through literacy comprehension and

fluency, beginning with quality programming and support in early childhood development.

His vision, leadership, and genuine regard and care for all people are core strengths that distinguish him as a

consummate professional. Dr. Wyble has created, expanded, and led organizations on national, state, and local

levels. He has worked for more than 20 years in governmental advocacy in Washington, DC, Baton Rouge, La,

and many states across the country. In 2009, he founded Leadership Concepts with a mission to help

organizations and individuals who do good….do good BETTER.


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In the second part of this two-part series, we dive deep into the last five of eight reasons why belonging to a community is as essential, vital, and integral to our lives as the air we breathe. We all are part of many different communities, even if we don't realize it. Being part of a literacy leadership community is an essential component of our educational journey. "We are here for the advancement of literacy for our kids, and we can't do it alone. Community is so important. It's the foundation for what we do in education and it's only through other people that we're going to make a change in literacy."

Join the Learning Ally Educator Community here: https://community.learningally.org/share/aMaMStV_aOKmzdIf?utm_source=manual

Follow us on Instagram @learning_ally_edcommunity


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In the first part of this two-part series, we dive deep into the first three of eight reasons why belonging to a community is as essential, vital, and integral to our lives as the air we breathe. We all are part of many different communities, even if we don't realize it. Being part of a literacy leadership community is an essential component of our educational journey. "We are here for the advancement of literacy for our kids, and we can't do it alone. Community is so important. It's it's the foundation for what we do in education and it's only through other people that we're going to make a change in literacy." 

Join the Learning Ally Educator Community here: https://community.learningally.org/share/aMaMStV_aOKmzdIf?utm_source=manual

Follow us on Instagram @learning_ally_edcommunity


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Sometimes when we go on a journey we forget why we started the journey in the first place. This episode is all about doing a reset on why you need the Learning Ally Literacy Leadership Podcast in your life.  We dive into the reason why this Podcast was started and why this journey is critical.  A reset seems fitting as the big box store shelves are filling up with school supplies. Not only should you commit to the journey, you should bring your friends along with us.


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There are tiny moves that leaders can execute on that will separate them from the crowd. One of those tiny moves is to leave notes.  Yes, that’s right! Leave notes to recognize, appreciate and honor someone else. This podcast discusses 4 easy steps to being an effective note-writer and leaves you with an understanding of the power of a single note. 

If you love this podcast, leave us a note! 

Twitter: @learning_ally

Instagram: @learning_ally_edcommunity


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As literacy leaders, we need to consistently assess and reassess what makes others thirsty for knowledge. Let's be like scientists as literacy leaders as we follow the science behind best practices in literacy instruction.This podcast recaps the theme of the 7th annual virtual Spotlight on Dyslexia Conference; Listen, Learn, Lead. My hope is that you will find inspiration in this episode - inspiration to elevate ourselves and those around us. 


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This week we bring on a special guest, Coach Jae, to dive into a topic that is critical to every student and every educator. We must know how to handle our own trauma to model good healthy coping skills to our students.

Collect this game code for Spotlight on Dyslexia: #bettertogether


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The most effective thing that any Literacy Leader can do is to spend time reviewing their year.  This podcast lays out 6 steps on how to explicitly complete a year in review. The bad news is that it will be messy the first year, the beautiful news is that it will get better and easier and more fulfilling year after year.  Also, when you complete a year in review, you set yourself with a competitive edge as a Literacy Leader.


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Dr. Jeff King says that 95% of people believe they are self-aware, but only 5-10% actually are".  Are you a self aware leader. There are three ways to determine if you are a self aware leader that if put in place can help advance your influence and impact as a transformative literacy leader.


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We know what the stats say about Summer Learning Loss and Summer Slide. The evidence is clear; however, I want to reframe how we think about these facts. I want to reframe the summer reading list, I want to reframe it ALL!  Reading in the summer can be more than tackling a list, it can be about taking a Vacation Voyage.


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What does "just a lot of grace and a little growl" have to do with Teacher Appreciation? Dr. Noland dives into how we can begin to craft a new narrative around the teaching profession in the second part of this podcast series. "Hold this profession in such high regard. Honor it. Treasure it. Sometimes, you may need a little growl, but give yourself a lot of grace." These episodes were inspired by Dr. Noland's recent webinar titled, "How to Stop the “I’m Just a Teacher” Mantra That Fuels Burnout."


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We're kicking off Teacher Appreciation Week early because we know educators need love, support, and recognition all the time. Let the donuts and goodies coming your way soon for teacher appreciation fill your bellies and we hope this 2-part podcast will feed your soul. These episodes were inspired by Dr. Noland's recent webinar titled, "How to Stop the “I’m Just a Teacher” Mantra That Fuels Burnout."


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This podcast is near and dear to my heart because of three very special guests. In recognition of Month of the Military Child, I thought it would be important to have educators hear about the unique experiences of military connected children and learn some tips and tricks that could be beneficial for providing a community of support in some very difficult and exciting times. My first instinct was to tell the stories of my children since we are a military family; however, I knew I could never tell their stories the way they could. That’s why you will hear directly from Zack, Makenzie and Cy as they share about life in school as military children. Simple ideas such as a star on a map, or drilling in to exactly what a student does about times tables or recognizing drawings or writings from military children are ideas that come up in this podcast.

The beauty of this podcast is that so much of what is discussed can be applied to so many children.


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What comes to your mind when you hear the word,"library?" In honor of National Library Week, this episode tackles how librarians advocate for literacy representation, social justice issues, and highlights the fundamental ways librarians bring value to their school communities. The role of a school librarian is vast, their power and influence immense, and partnership with educators invaluable. Join us on this literacy leadership journey!


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Proud mama moment and you are cordially invited to attend the celebration! Learning Ally's Spotlight on Dyslexia conference turns 7 years old this year. This podcast will give you a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to put on one of the largest virtual conferences in the education space. You will be pleasantly surprised to hear about the 10 things that everyone needs to know about this conference. 

I can't wait to see you there. 

Register Today


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Have you ever been emotionally changed by a book?  A single book that could reach your insides when the world only sees your outsides? This podcast will motivate you to understand the power of a single book and why it's so important to find that book for EVERY child. 


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Do you realize that the average person makes about 35,000 decisions every day? Wouldn't it make sense that not all 35,000 decisions are going to be good ones? This podcast reveals 10 things we need to know about making mistakes that will set us apart as Literacy Leaders and advance best practices. 


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Are you creative? Many people will answer "no" to that question. This podcast will challenge your thinking about what it means to be creative. Being creative doesn't lie solely in art or music or dance. Being creative means that your mind is open to possibilities and to thinking differently. As Literacy Leaders, we have an abundance of ways to be creative to advance evidence-based literacy practices in our environments. 

Let's create schools and districts that are leading the charge toward transformative change. 


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Do you realize that scientists think a certain way? A scientist looks for new evidence, is willing to accept the results of that evidence, and uses that evidence to make informed decisions. As Literacy Leaders, it is crucial that we think like scientists when it comes to reading instruction. We have to be willing to be disturbed as Margaret Wheatley says and accept what evidence tells us. This podcast will help you begin to think like a scientist and understand the words of George Bernard Shaw, "Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything." 


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You've heard this phrase many times before; however, I bet you haven't heard it like this before. In this episode, you will hear about how Literacy Leaders should always be reading something, but the episode doesn't stop there. You will also learn four other ways that Literacy Leaders should be readers. 

Let's push our thinking once again! 


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Did you know that Walt Whitman received a letter of encouragement from Ralph Waldo Emerson at the beginning of his career? Encouragement is a power-packed tool that keeps people moving and makes people better. This podcast will lay out 4 ways to be a great encourager. Stick around to the end, because as much as Literacy Leaders give encouragement, you need your bucket filled. 


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Do you realize that a child's name is most likely the first word they will ever read? Dale Carnegie said, "A person's name is to him or her the sweetest and most important sound in any language."  In this episode, we will dig into the importance of names, how to use names, how to remember names, and what names can do to strengthen cultures in classrooms and schools. 


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In education, goals tend to cloud our thinking so much that we forget about the necessity of growth. This podcast episode will lead you through some thinking about the importance of goals in a journey. We often overestimate the goal so much that we underestimate the journey. 

Join me as we grow together. 


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Sounds the bells!  This podcast features the great Nancy Hennessey. Nancy brings her expertise, knowledge, and wisdom to explore the complexity of comprehension and the role of syntax and sentences in extracting and constructing meaning from text. The informed educators understand that syntax is a vehicle for conveying meaning. Learn how it provides the structure for organizing words, phrases, and clauses into the sentences that transport ideas and ultimately, add up to the text itself. Finally, consider explicit instructional strategies and activities for developing sentence comprehension whether reading by eye or ear.

Part 2 of a 2 part series.


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Sounds the bells!  This podcast features the great Nancy Hennessey. Nancy brings her expertise, knowledge, and wisdom to explore the complexity of comprehension and the role of syntax and sentences in extracting and constructing meaning from text. The informed educators understand that syntax is a vehicle for conveying meaning. Learn how it provides the structure for organizing words, phrases, and clauses into the sentences that transport ideas and ultimately, add up to the text itself. Finally, consider explicit instructional strategies and activities for developing sentence comprehension whether reading by eye or ear.

Part 1 of a 2 part series. 


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Culture is one of the most powerful factors in a school or district. Culture is more powerful than programs, curriculums, initiatives, or visions. John Maxwell says, "Culture eats vision for lunch." In this podcast, I will share two categories to consider when building a Literacy culture in your school or district: 1) Behaviors 2) Resources. And remember the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, "What you do speaks so loudly I can't hear what you are saying." 


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On the Sunday night following Thanksgiving week, I became sad that Monday morning was about to roll around.  I didn't want to face what was coming my way.  I wanted more time.  Education is too heavy right now.  I'm too weary.  

Are you with me?  I know you are because I know the landscape and I know the struggles; however, I also know what it means to Show Up the Right Way every day. This podcast shares 3 ways to show up being the best Literacy Leader possible when the going gets tough, and well let's face it, when the stress of the day makes my hair and face look a little rough! 


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This Podcast is the culmination of a couple of things I've seen, heard, and experienced in the last several years.  First, I have talked to educators that understand what it means to teach students to read according to what the research tells us; however, they feel like they have no influence with others.  Second, I have seen highly charged interactions on social media when someone understands reading in a different way.  These highly charged interactions come with negative comments and I would imagine clenched fists; however, that is no way to influence someone. This podcast will describe 4 different scenarios in which you can influence up, down, and sideways. In addition, I will share 10 factors that will create influential environments that move toward shared goals and positive change.  I wish every educator I have talked to over the past 15 years could listen to this!  Please share to help spread the movement around influencing others according to what we know from the research. 


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This podcast is for Literacy Leaders of ALL grade levels. When you see the term "Early LIteracy" those in 3rd - 12th grade might hit the skip button, but I assure you that you don't want to do that!  Early Literacy is critical for the overall health of our schools and the overall health of our students. In this podcast, I talk about the importance of creating word feasts and not word famines. You won't want to dawdle or be lackadaisical about listening to this one.  


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This Podcast may not apply to you but let me tell you, it applies to me!!  When I dug into this topic, I had no idea that busy"ness" had cultural implications. I'm a culprit and needed to hear my own message today.  In this Podcast, I share 3 truths about busy"ness, and follow that up with 5 Ways to Combat busy"ness". 


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Are you like me?  Have you been embarrassed at any point in your career to tell others that you are an educator? Do you feel that other professions have more value than yours? If you feel like any of these things are true, then listen to this Podcast and get the oomph in your sails that you need. Being an educator isn't just because the kids are worth it, being an educator is because YOU are worth it! 


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If you only surround yourself with people like you, you will just get more of YOU!  That may not be a bad thing, but what if you surrounded yourself with people that thought differently than you, spurred your thinking, and pushed you to the outer limits of your creativity? Then, we would get a better version of you! Our students deserve a better version of you. 


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Did you know that there is a problem in education that has not really gotten much attention?  A problem that resides in the heart and mind of educators everywhere. This problem is fueled by a feeling, a feeling of guilt.  This podcast will dive into the untapped area of research around guilt in education and give freedom to those of you that might have the same feeling but aren't sure what to do about it. 


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"I hope you fail."  This is probably a very strange statement and it might even be a little hurtful.  Listen to this podcast to know why this statement is a vital part of being a Literacy Leader.  Well, let's be honest. It's a vital part of life.  You will learn how to reframe your thinking about failure and even begin to understand that failure is not the opposite of success - it's a critical and crucial part of success. 


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This podcast is not about giving up your literacy leadership efforts.  Our children need you! This podcast is about understanding our best, knowing that there are days we will be beaten, and knowing how to be a builder. 


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I love a good framework!  How about you?  This podcast will give you a framework to help you think about your relationships as a Literacy Leader AND help to relieve some weariness that comes with relationship development. 


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Plato said, "Those who tell stories rule society". His words ring true today. Stories captivate the heart and soul of individuals and connect individuals together. This episode is all about the magic of storytelling when it comes to being a Literacy Leader. Always know that you have a story to tell! AND...... you will understand why we should all say, "Let's have a parade!" 


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For 15 years I've heard the same myths about audiobooks.  I've heard the reasons why not to use them.  Why it's cheating. Why they don't work.  Today, I decided that my 15 years of telling and sharing and educating over and over again should be pulled together in this podcast.  This is what I've learned over the years.  I never want another child to say, "I hate school".  Join me on this mission to smash the literacy divide. 


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We judge others by their actions and ourselves by our intent.  It's our human nature to judge.  This podcast will disrupt the judging mindset and equip you with a foolproof strategy to place a high value on every person and be their belief builder! 


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Recent articles, conversations, tweets, and posts were the driving force behind this podcast. I've been hearing so much about change. New administrators, new staff, new teachers, new rooms, new subjects, etc., and sometimes the swift and constant change that happens in education can get burdensome and weigh heavy on the shoulders. This podcast gives you permission to evaluate how you feel about change. 


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Building trust as a Literacy Leader is BIG- so big that it takes two episodes to discuss. When you hear the components of character that build trust, it will make so much sense! Lead Big and develop trust with those around you. 


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This Podcast is the first in a two part series on TRUST.  The single greatest factor in a relationship is trust.  As Literacy Leaders we need to be working hard, on a very consistent basis, to build trust with others.  There are some very practical tips in here on how to build trust. 


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Get out your physical whiteboard or your visual whiteboard in your head because this episode comes with a good old-fashioned T Chart about changing our language from deficit thinking to Values-Based, Worth Thinking. I'm challenging myself to place the right words in my mouth that lead the way for value and worth.  Everyone is a 10! 


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This is part 2 of a two-part series of asking questions. This episode is all about asking ourselves great questions. The need to look in the mirror and examine ourselves. I will share three areas that make for a great leader and the questions we can ask around those areas! You, my friend, are worth following. 


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This episode is the first in a two-part series on asking great questions that transform and unlock learning for the person on the other side of us.  We all need to fine-tune our questioning ability to unleash human connection and "plus" the other person and the idea. 


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I know what you are doing right now as school is coming to an end.  I know that you have big eyes and a big vision about what you will accomplish this summer and your mind is swirling about back to school.  This episode will help to tame those unattainable goals for the summer and provide you clarity of thought heading into the next school year. And...... you get an assignment.  You may think it will sound easy, but it's actually one of the most difficult things for us educators to do. 


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Terrie will discuss her takeaways from the Spotlight on Dyslexia 2021 virtual conference.  One takeaway might be unexpected!  She will dive into some overall reflections and some very discrete reflections.  Stay Curious and dive into this episode to see if you are intrigued to learn again, continue learning, or start learning. 


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You don't get to decide if you are communicating effectively- the person on the other side of you does.  Listen to the "I Believe" statements about Literacy Leadership and how to communicate those statements effectively. 


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Leading doesn't mean you lead only when you have a position of authority or when it's convenient.  Leading is by taking playground duty and lunch duty, not out of obligation, out of devotion!  Understand the lies that we have learned about leadership and why it is important to Lead In Everything. 


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We must move from a ME to WE mindset in education.  The concept of collective efficacy produces significant outcomes for students.  This podcast dives into why every student needs a crowd of educators and advocates shouting "We Believe". 


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I'm recognizing you right now!  Recognition is critical to advance the behaviors you want to see. Did you know that 1 minute spent on recognizing behavior equals 100 minutes of initiative in return. 


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Register for Spotlight on Dyslexia at www.learningally.org/spod 

Use coupon code SPODEDU for $20 off the premium pass. 


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There are no two excellent days of leadership/teaching/coaching back to back. These peaks and valleys are gifts.  In fact, you wouldn’t even be able to recognize an excellent day if you didn’t have some crummy ones to compare against. So, what does this have to do with “grit?” This week we’ll be talking about:

  • Training our brains to have grit and resilience as an educator
  • Tactics to help you dust yourself off after a tough day (or week...or month…)

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Values, Values, Values!  It's something that is the fabric of who we are but we don't think about our values too much!  Our values change over time so putting a spotlight on our own values from time to time is a healthy exercise. Spend 20 minutes with Terrie identifying your values and understanding how you can ADD value to those around you!


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It's all about VISION this week.  Dig deep with Terrie Noland, PhD, CALP and understand how true visionaries imagine a future state and know how to rally a team to (1) Test, (2) Fail, (3) Learn, (4) Improve and (5) Re-enter.  Vision doesn't mean perfection.  It means understanding how to work toward lofty goals. 


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Join Terrie Noland, PhD, CALP as she thinks about personal growth this week. Terrie shares a favorite quote about personal growth: "It's what you learn after you know it all that matters!" Learn more about Terrie's personal quest to grow and learn every day and how YOU can make sure you learn after you "know it all".


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Join Terrie Noland, PhD, CALP to explore proximity. Do you realize that you are the sum of the people that are closest to you?  Your thinking, your behaviors, and your knowledge will never get bigger than the people that are closest to you in a particular area. If you want to lead big, you need to make sure that you are placing yourself in the proximity of individuals that make your sum total grow and flourish!


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Join Terrie Noland, PhD, CALP to talk about being courageous literacy leaders. This week is all about finding the courage to acknowledge that we don't know it all--and that's okay! Let's figure out what we don't know and then move forward, together!


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Welcome to the first episode of The Learning Ally Educator Community Podcast! Get to know your pod host, Terrie Noland, PhD, CALP, and learn more about Literacy Leadership and why it is so critical. 


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