The Orton-Gillingham Podcast

  “We’ve been making reading and writing harder for kids than they need to be.” —Natalie Wexler   Systematic phonics instruction is essential, but it's not enough to ensure strong reading outcomes. In this episode of The Orton-Gillingham Podcast, education journalist and author Natalie Wexler joins us to discuss the vital role of background knowledge in reading instruction, why students struggle w...

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Shawn Anthony Robinson, joined by his longtime mentor, Dr. William Kitz. Dr. Kitz played a pivotal role in Dr. Robinson's academic development, beginning with his support through Project Success, a program for adult learners at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, and continuing as Dr. Robinson worked toward earning his Ph. D. We discuss their enduring relation...

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Shawn Anthony Robinson, a truly inspiring guest who struggled with dyslexia throughout his childhood. After learning to read at age 18, Dr. Robinson went on to earn a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and a Ph. D. in Literacy and Language. He is also the creator of Doctor Dyslexia Dude, an award-winning graphic novel about a superhero with dyslexia. Learn mor...

Today, we'll speak with special guest Anna Toomey, director of LEFT BEHIND, an award-winning documentary about a group of mothers who band together to create the first public school for children with dyslexia in New York City. For more information about the film, including how to watch it, please visit: https://www.leftbehindthefilm.com   Subscribe to our newsletter! https://lp.constantcontactpage...

Today, we'll speak with Olivia Whicker, co-author of Talewinds™, Brainspring's new collection of decodable readers, about what makes decodable texts so effective, how decodables differ from other readers, and what teachers and parents should consider when purchasing a collection. Talewinds™ Decodable Readers by Brainspring are coming this September! Preorder today at https://brainspring.com/talewi...

Today, we’ll speak with Denise Sherman, Curriculum and Instructional Specialist at Brainspring, about the importance of handwriting instruction for students, how handwriting helps develop important skills later in life, and what we risk losing if we cut back on handwriting instruction in schools. Brainspring’s Handwriting Program is LIVE!   Order Now! https://brainspring.com/.../classroom-package....

Today, we’ll speak with special guest Maryanne Wolf, a renowned scholar and director of UCLA’s Center for Dyslexia, about her research on the reading brain, how digital technologies are affecting our brains, and what we can do to prepare young children for an increasingly digital world. Subscribe to our newsletter! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/S9onxP7/brainspringnewsletter Email: podcast...

Today, we’ll speak with Dr. Ryan Lee-James, a speech-language pathologist with expertise in reading disabilities, about her research on inequities in education, what we can do to improve literacy rates, and how we can make classroom environments more equitable.     Dr. Lee-James recommends the following resources for families interested in advocating for their children: National Center for Improvi...

Today, we're joined by Jordan Toma, an inspirational author who overcame multiple learning disabilities to become the number one youth motivational speaker and youth advocate in the United States. Watch the video version of this podcast here: https://youtu.be/C0vj72zCXEg #dyslexia #inspiration   Subscribe to our newsletter! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/S9onxP7/brainspringnewsletter Email...

Today, we’ll speak with Krista Weltner, a gifted artist who overcame dyslexia and found success as an author, illustrator, puppet maker, stop-motion animator, filmmaker, costume designer, and comic book creator. Watch the video version of this podcast here: https://youtu.be/OpsG4Rl8k54 Also, be sure to check out Krista's wonderful short film Partially Compensated: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4...

Today, we’ll speak with Brooke Steingold, a successful nurse with dyslexia and ADHD, about how she went from dropping out of high school to becoming a college graduate and an inspiration to her daughter.   Subscribe to our newsletter! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/S9onxP7/brainspringnewsletter Email: podcast@brainspring.com Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/OrtonGillinghamTraining YouTu...

We’ll speak with Dr. Elena Forzani and Dr. Andrea Bien, two former elementary teachers and current professors at Boston University, about the importance of comprehension instruction and why students need to develop multiple skills to become good readers. Further reading: "A Focus on Phonics or Comprehension? What Reading Research Should Look Like in Practice" by Dr. Elena Forzani and Dr. Andrea Bi...

We’re joined by Deon Butler, a former tight end for the Detroit Lions, whose personal battle with dyslexia inspired him to start a new vocation as a motivational speaker and advocate for struggling readers.   Subscribe to our newsletter! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/S9onxP7/brainspringnewsletter Email: podcast@brainspring.com Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/OrtonGillinghamTraining Yo...

Today, we’re joined by special guest Dr. David Kilpatrick, a certified school psychologist, professor emeritus of psychology for the State University of New York College at Cortland, an avid researcher of learning disabilities, and author of several works on literacy. His seminal book, Equipped for Reading Success, has become an essential component of literacy curricula in programs across the coun...

Today, we’ll speak with Micki Ray, Chief Academic Officer of the Kentucky Department of Education, about how her experience as a high school English teacher inspired her professional passion to help struggling readers. Then, we’ll hear about what the KDE is currently doing to improve literacy rates in Kentucky.    Subscribe to our newsletter! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/S9onxP7/brainspr...

Today, we’ll hear from Carolee Dean, a speech-language pathologist, certified academic language therapist, and children’s author whose experiences working with dyslexic students led to a new career as an author of decodable books and educational resources.  Check out Carolee's blog here: https://caroleedeanbooks.blogspot.com/     Subscribe to our newsletter! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/...

Next from the IDA Conference, we'll hear from Nicki Winter, a dyslexia therapist and the creator of Brilliant Strengths, a strengths-based program designed to raise self-esteem and lower anxiety in students with dyslexia. Then, we'll introduce our Student of the Month for January 2024. Check out Brilliant Strengths here: https://www.brilliantstrengths.com/   Subscribe to our newsletter! https://lp...

Today, we’ll hear from special guest Trevor Thomas, Superintendent for Heath City Schools in Heath, Ohio and the Superintendent Representative on the Ohio Dyslexia Committee, about how he and his team have worked to advance student literacy at all levels. Then, we’ll introduce our Student of the Month for December 2023.    Subscribe to our newsletter! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/S9onxP7...

Today, we’ll hear from special guest Marilyn Zecher, a Certified Academic Language Therapist, dyslexia specialist, and the creator of two graduate-level methods courses in Multisensory Mathematics.   Subscribe to our newsletter! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/S9onxP7/brainspringnewsletter Email: podcast@brainspring.com Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/OrtonGillinghamTraining YouTube:  h...

Today, we'll hear from special guest Allison Peck, Chief Academic Officer at Neuhaus Education Center, about how advocating for her son led to a fulfilling career in education. Then, we'll introduce our very first Student of the Month.   Subscribe to our newsletter! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/S9onxP7/brainspringnewsletter Email: podcast@brainspring.com Facebook:  https://www.facebook.c...

Hello and welcome back! This week, Katie and Esther discussed how parents can advocate for their children when they notice that they are having reading difficulties.   But first, we wanted to talk about a current hot topic in educational news. According to an article written by Emily Peck for Axios, the wage gap between teachers and other professionals is the widest it has been since 1960. What ar...

Hello and welcome back! This week we are continuing our series called, “What’s YOUR Superpower? Superheroes with Dyslexia”.   This week we have a very special guest. He is the Superintendent of Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) and has an impressive educational background despite having to deal with dyslexia himself. Please help us welcome, Dr. Nikolai Vitti!  Dr. Nikolai Vitti is...

Hello and welcome back! Unfortunately, Katie couldn’t join us today due to being sick, but we are sending her well wishes and hoping she gets better soon! For today, we are excited to announce a new series we are launching called, What’s YOUR Superpower? Superheroes with Dyslexia. In this series, we will be highlighting people who have dyslexia or reading differences and asking them how it has sha...

Hello and welcome back! On today’s episode of the Orton-Gillingham Podcast, Katie and Esther share tips on how to “spring forward” through springtime burnout that affects teachers and students.   But first, we have a contest winner to announce!  March was National Reading Month and Brainspring rolled out a contest for a chance for listeners to win a $500 donation to a library of their choosing. To...

Hello and welcome back! On today’s episode of the Orton-Gillingham Podcast, we are speaking with special guest Jeanine Cyrwus about Dyslexia in D.C.   Jeanine has an M.Ed. in Special Education and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Education Leadership. She also has a Dyslexia Advocacy Certificate from the Dyslexia Training Institute. Jeanine has an impressive 20 years of experience in...