"Literacy Leadership" The Learning Ally Podcast

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 on...

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 n...

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 - inspir...

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

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...

 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.

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.

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...

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 Burno...

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...

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...

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 confe...

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. 

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. 

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 practic...

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 pod...

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! 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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...

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...

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...

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 Rig...

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 under...