Literacy at the Center

In this episode of Literacy at the Center, host Cody Fusco talks with West Haven Curriculum Coordinator Dana Paredes and Reading Consultant Jaclyn Cincotta from West Haven Public Schools about the district's collaborative approach to implementing high-quality instructional materials and redesigning its literacy curriculum. Together, they discuss how classroom teachers, reading specialists, mu...

In this episode of Literacy at the Center, host Dr. Melissa Hickey sits down with Dr. Kymyona Burk, former State Literacy Director for Mississippi and current Senior Policy Fellow at ExcelinEd, to explore the national landscape of literacy reform. Dr. Burk shares insights from leading the implementation of Mississippi’s Literacy-Based Promotion Act and supporting states across the country. The con...

In this episode of Literacy at the Center , host Dr. Melissa Hickey talks with Dr. Darci Burns, founding leader of the Connecticut Literacy Model and executive director of Hill for Literacy, about why leadership systems are essential for lasting literacy change. Together, they explore how distributed leadership teams, clear district literacy plans, and strong collaboration across educators, admini...

In this episode of Literacy at the Center, host Candice LaConti talks with Dr. Michael Coyne, professor at the University of Connecticut and a key leader in the Connecticut Literacy Model, about the real power of tiered instruction. Together they unpack how schools can identify students early, provide targeted small-group support, and build systems that prevent readers from falling behind. Dr. Coy...

In this episode of Literacy at the Center , host Dr. Melissa Hickey sits down with literacy advocate and policy leader Amy Dowell to explore the work behind Connecticut’s Right to Read legislation and what it truly takes to improve literacy outcomes statewide. Drawing from her experience as a parent and longtime education advocate, Amy shares how collaboration among educators, lawmakers, researche...

In this episode of Literacy at the Center , host Cody Fusco talks with Dr. Margie Gillis, founding member of the Connecticut Literacy Model, explains why sustained, job-embedded professional learning is essential to translating the science of reading into classroom practice. Drawing on Connecticut data and district experience, the conversation underscores how investing in educators strengthens ins...