All For Literacy

In this episode of All For Literacy, host Kerri Larkin sits down with Dr. Marisa Ramirez Stukey, Chief Academic Officer of The Reading League, to explore what it really takes to turn literacy research into meaningful classroom practice. Together, they unpack why the science of reading—while essential—is not enough on its own, and how the science of learning and implementation science are critical...

In this episode of All For Literacy, host Kerri Larkin sits down with Maggi Lambert, principal of Cloud Peak Elementary in Buffalo, Wyoming. Together, they unpack how a rural school community transformed its approach to literacy—moving from one-size-fits-all interventions to a dynamic, data-driven, and collaborative model that empowers every educator and student. Maggi shares her journey from clas...

What happens when a district empowers its teachers to lead change? In this episode, three educators from Federal Way Public Schools in Washington share how a grassroots effort turned into a systemwide literacy transformation across one of the state’s most diverse districts. A “middle-out” professional development approach that started with teachers and coaches instead of administrators Teacher-led...

Season 5 of All For Literacy kicks off with new host Kerri Larkin, Lexia’s Senior Education Advisor, who brings years of classroom and leadership experience to the mic. Come join us as we dive into how the science of reading implementation is landing in real classrooms with real educators who are making this happen.

Does maintaining their heritage language help students develop literacy skills in English? The research says “yes.” Dr. Elena Schmitt, professor of applied linguistics and educational researcher, joins All For Literacy host Dr. Liz Brooke for a detailed discussion about how supporting a student’s bilingualism supports the whole child. From maintaining access to key cultural and social interaction...

As the crucially important ideas of the science of reading spread, a shift of focus to sustainable implementation will ensure evidence-backed instruction continues to change the literacy landscape. Implementation relies on the mutually beneficial relationship between educators and researchers to work effectively and sustainably. Started in Part 1 of Season 4, Episode 3, of the All For Literacy pod...

As the crucially important ideas of the science of reading spread, a shift of focus to sustainable implementation will ensure evidence-backed instruction continues to change the literacy landscape. Implementation relies on the mutually beneficial relationship between educators and researchers to work effectively and sustainably.  In Season 4, Episode 3, of the All For Literacy podcast, host Dr Liz...

In Season 4, Episode 2, Dr. Truckenmiller joins All For Literacy host Dr. Liz Brooke for an in-depth conversation about implementing research-backed literacy practices sustainably in real-world classroom settings.  Dr. Truckenmiller currently collaborates with school districts to improve decision-making based on writing and reading assessment within the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support framework, e...

The best intervention is prevention, explains Casey Sullivan Taylor, policy director for early literacy for ExcelinEd. This education resource aims to ensure the success of every student through student-centered, state-based policy solutions. The former reading teacher, interventionist, and literacy coach joins All For Literacy host Dr. Liz Brooke for an in-depth exploration into how literacy poli...

In this podcast episode, host Dr. Liz Brooke journeys through season three of All For Literacy, recapping insight and common threads as discussed with key industry voices.  Brooke shares highlights from discussions with Dr. Julie Washington, Dr Linnea Ehri, Dr. Katie Pace Miles, advocate Debbie Meyer, and other valued guests while providing insight on the trending literacy themes of 2024.  This ep...

“When we were growing up, having good grades wasn't cool. What we're trying to do is make it cool today,” says David Wyatt about his commitment to driving educational change through his work with the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame and the South Carolina Top 10 by 2030 initiative. A seasoned attorney, advisor, and community leader in South Carolina, Wyatt joins All For Literacy host Dr. Liz B...

What steps should concerned parents take if they suspect their child is facing literacy struggles? Meyer shares the strategies she has learned during her own advocacy journey, including: The top five questions parents should ask at school The surprising reasons students struggle to read Outside-of-the-box solutions to improve literacy skills How to be an effective advocate Listen to Season 3, Epis...

What is Alphabetic Phase Theory, and how can it help students develop their literacy skills? Tune into Season 3, Episode 3 of All For Literacy for the answer as host Dr. Liz Brooke is joined by literacy research powerhouses Dr. Linnea Ehri and Dr. Katie Pace Miles. A distinguished professor emeritus at City University of New York, Dr. Ehri focused her research on the reading acquisition process. D...

An English learners coordinator at DeKalb County School District in Georgia, Bass joined All For Literacy host Dr. Liz Brooke for Season 3, Episode 2. After working with refugees through various nonprofits and AmeriCorps, Bass earned her Masters of Arts in Teaching and has dedicated her career to supporting this population as they learn English.    Gain actionable insight into how to: Build a sens...

Host Dr. Liz Brooke and Washington kick off the new season of the All For Literacy podcast with a thought-provoking conversation about language variation and literacy rates. A professor in the School of Education at the University of California – Irvine, Washington shares her expertise about how dialect variation and density, code-switching, and translanguaging play into literacy assessment and su...

As Season 2 of All For Literacy® comes to a close, host Dr. Liz Brooke dives into the challenges and opportunities currently being explored by educators across the country. Featuring insightful clips from discussions with prominent educators, this episode drives home many of the ideas mentioned throughout this season.  Empowering teachers through professional development, evidence-backed resources...

What would it take to narrow the knowledge gap between high-achieving and struggling students when it comes to reading and writing?  Education writer Natalie Wexler joins Host Dr. Liz Brooke in Season 2, Episode 8. Wexler is author of “The Knowledge Gap: The Hidden Cause of America’s Broken Education System—and How to Fix It.” Her writing focuses on content-centric education and charts possible ro...

“There's nothing that's going to change student achievement more powerfully than the teacher, but it's very difficult for the teacher to do that job if they don't have support from leadership at the top,” Dena Mortensen, Ed. D. explains in Episode 7 of All For Literacy™.    Mortensen sits down with host Dr. Liz Brooke to discuss a boots-on-the-ground perspective about implementing the science of r...

“This has been a long, crazy journey of me trying to figure out what the heck is going on with education,” says Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Harvey Hubbell V in Season 2, Episode 6 of All For Literacy™.  Hubbell sits down with host Dr. Liz Brooke for an insightful look into how documentary films affect the educational system and the science of reading movement. His company, Captured Ti...

What role can social media play in advancing the science of reading movement? Recorded live during Plain Talk About Literacy and Learning 2024 in New Orleans, host Dr. Liz Brooke sits down with literacy influencer Jessica Farmer to discuss how social media provides an effective platform for transferring data-backed practices to educators, administrators, and parents. A former first grade teacher,...

“I can’t talk about how I understand the research without first going into…the history and the experiences of the communities that I’m looking to serve,” Dr. Gretchen Givens Generett says in Season 2, Episode 4 of All For Literacy. Host Dr. Liz Brooke has a compassionate discussion with Generett about understanding the lived experiences of students and educators and how to provide support so both...

How intrinsically linked are the skills for reading and writing?  In Season 2, Episode 14 of All For Literacy, Dr. Young-Suk Kim joins host Dr. Liz Brooke for a technically in-depth conversation about the interconnectedness of reading and writing skills.  In tandem with a provided visual aid, Kim and Brooke deeply explore the Direct and Indirect Effects Model of Writing (DIEW). Proposed by Kim aft...

“You could have the best curriculum, but without teachers understanding what you're asking of them or why they need to shift their practice, there will always be…distrust in the curriculum,” Rhonda Nelson says in this episode of All For Literacy with host Dr. Liz Brooke.  Rhonda Nelson is the curriculum instruction and assessment coordinator for the Bettendorf Community School District in Bettendo...

Are you implementing up-to-date research findings in your school or classroom?  Season 1 of All For Literacy frequently touched on the issue of connecting educators with new and established research and how to best apply evidence-based findings in the classroom. To kick off Season 2, two influential education researchers join host Dr. Liz Brooke for an enlightening discussion about current researc...

Whether you are a loyal All for Literacy listener or tuning in for the first time, Episode 11 is for you. In this podcast episode, host Dr. Liz Brooke journeys through season one of All For Literacy, recapping insight and common threads discussed with key industry voices.  Liz shares highlights from discussions with Emily Hanford, Kareem Weaver, Dr. Kymyona Burke, Dr. Shayne Piasta, and other valu...