Sound it Out

In this episode, we chat with Karina Sönmez, former colleague and long-time friend, about her journey through Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and dual language education, her insights on setting up nurturing environments for students and her own children, as well as reflections on motherhood and identity. We explore how her experiences shape her approach to teaching and parenting. We had an amazing tim...

In this episode of Sound it Out, Cailin and Shanida are sharing their top education news headlines from 2025! We explore headlines about the dismantling of the Department of Education, challenges faced by boys in the education system, the alarming state of reading scores, the importance of comprehension skills, and the introduction of financial literacy programs in schools. We also cheers to our f...

And we’re back! After a much needed pause to settle into our back-to-school routines, we are back and ready to talk about a topic we’ve been sitting with for quite a while! Join us as we discuss the integration of AI in education, debunk common myths surrounding its use, and share personal experiences and applications of AI in the classroom. We believe in the importance of using AI as a tool to en...

Please welcome, Ilse Werther! Ilse is a certified dyslexia and reading specialist, advocate, and expert in the Orton-Gillingham Approach. Ilse leads with integrity, passion and patience and we consider ourselves lucky to have crossed paths with her and honored to have her as a mentor :)  Please visit our website for links to all of the things we are loving plus additional resources related to our...

Cailin and Shanida continue their deep dive into the Science of Reading, picking up where they left off last episode discussing the various aspects of reading education, with a focus on teaching effective reading strategies, and emphasizing the importance of explicit teaching and the role of phonics in developing reading skills. Their conversation in this episode highlights the need for balance in...

Cailin and Shanida are back with an episode pulling apart the science of reading. What is it? What is it NOT? What should we all know about how the brain works when learning to read? How should all of this translate to their classroom for teachers and at home for parents? We have asked the questions and done the research for you!  Please visit our website for links to all of the things we are lovi...

Cailin and Shanida are back! They are sharing what they learned from a deeper exploration of the Department of Education, its history, and its current state, highlighting the challenges and changes it faces today. They also catch up and chat about recent experiences including the launch of their podcast and a field trip to Washington, D.C.! Please visit our website for links to all of the things w...

Join Cailin and Shanida as they catch up about a runaway toddler, Lucy's citizenship, AI as a personal assistant, morphology, and more. For this episode's Central Idea they dive into all of the details surrounding the current lawsuit against the Lucy Calkins' reading curriculum. This conversation delves into the evolution of reading instruction in the U.S., focusing on the conflict between progres...

In this episode of Sound It Out, hosts Cailin Kiefhaber and Shanida Gutierrez explore their experiences as educators, the importance of lifelong learning, and the impact of Lucy Calkins' curriculum on literacy education. They discuss the challenges faced in teaching, the need for phonics instruction, and the role of parents in education, especially during the pandemic. The conversation culminates...