Embedded Files
S1-E1: Conversation with Ben Zulauf
A conversation with Dr. Ben Zulauf on the shift to Structured Literacy and the importance of following the research.
In this initial episode, Dr. Ben Zulauf, Director of Reading and Language Arts, will share why District 99 is shifting to a structured literacy approach. He’ll share a vision for our district, why research matters, and a common definition of the Science of Reading. Dr. Zulauf will outline some key steps that have been taken to make these shifts possible and what is to come next.
S2-E2: On the Ground & Running: Personal Journeys into the SoR
Classroom Teachers: Maria Monsivais (Warren Park - dual 2nd grade), Maggie Chmiel (Warren Park - co-taught 1st grade), & Jessica Loney (Warren Park - kindergarten)
In this special episode, several teachers will share learning about structured literacy, some initial practices they’ve implemented last school year, their feelings about this shift in literacy instruction, and their thoughts on their participation in LETRS training this summer.
S1-E3: Building Principals in the Trenches
Building Principals: Jennifer O’ Connor (Roosevelt), Joanne Lago (Sherlock), & Raquel Jenke (Warren Park)
In this episode, three of our building administrators will share the learning they have engaged in around the SoR, some steps they have taken to support the shift to structured literacy in their buildings, some challenges as well as some successes they have noticed so far, their takeaways from the LETRS training they participated in, and how they plan on helping to continue to support their buildings as we shift towards using research and the SoR to support our literacy instruction.
S1-E4: An Interventionist’s Perspective
Interventionists: Jessica Mieczkowski & Pamela Michaels (Goodwin)
In this episode, two interventionists from Goodwin School will share their learning about a word recognition intervention, how that has looked different than a guided reading intervention, their feelings about the SoR and the shift we are making as a district towards a structured literacy approach, some challenges and successes they noticed this year in their instruction, and their thoughts on the Letrs training they received during the 2021-2022 school year and the impact that training has had on their instruction.
S1-E5: A Coach’s Role
Building Coach: Annie Perveneckis (Columbus West)
In this episode, a building instructional coach will share her journey on the SoR, her experiences with participating in LETRS training this past school year, how she supported some shifts in her building, her thoughts on how she plans on supporting the teachers in her building in the future, and the impact that the SoR has had on her coaching.
S1-E6: Resources, Resources, and More Resources
In this episode, a multitude of resources that includes podcasts, books, articles, blogs, and other websites that support structured literacy will be shared with listeners. We hope you find something that will be useful to you!
S1-E7: A School Leadership Teams Role in Supporting Shifts to Structured Literacy in Their Building
Sherlock Staff: Jo Lago (Principal), Erin Connelly (6th grade), Joanna Goldberg (2nd grade), Christina Hamilton (6th grade), Jennifer Pretto (dual 5th grade), Neil Siegellak (Media), Joy Sell (1st grade)
In this episode, Sherlock’s school leadership team will share how they began learning about the science of reading together, their podcast studies, and how they plan on setting goals for the upcoming school year and supporting the shift to structured literacy within their building.
S1-E8: A Top 10 List of Science of Reading Misconceptions
In this episode, we will share some common misconceptions about the science of reading, share an explanation and background surrounding each topic, and share some practical classroom examples or instructional ideas that can be taken back to the classroom.
S1-E9: Key Takeaways from the Summer Literacy Institutes
Classroom Teachers: Christina Hamilton (Sherlock - 6th grade) & Joy Sell (Sherlock - 1st grade)
In this episode, we will discuss some of the key takeaways from the amazing presenters during the summer Literacy Institutes. Both teachers and administrators were able to listen to some key educators in the field and listen to some ideas about how to make shifts at the building and district level as we are moving towards a more structured literacy approach.
S1-E10: Key Takeaways from the Administrators Summer Literacy Institute & Administrators LETRS Primer
Building Principals: Donata Heppner (Columbus East) & Heriberto Garcia (Columbus West)
In this episode, two of our dedicated principals will be sharing their key takeaways from the summer literacy institute for administrators as well as their thoughts on the LETRS primer for administrators. They will share how they plan on supporting shifts towards structured literacy at their own buildings and how they plan on building capacity across both of their schools. In addition, they will share their thoughts on the benefits that LETRS training will provide for their teachers as our schools move towards a more structured literacy approach.
S1-E11: A View from the Top
Dr. Mary Mycyk (assistant superintendent for educational services)
In this episode, one of our assistant superintendents will share her views about why our district needs to engage in a new direction for literacy instruction. She will discuss how the district has supported this shift across the many schools, the learning she has engaged in this past school year, and the results the district hopes to achieve through the shift to a more structured literacy approach.
S1-E12: Special Education Teachers Speak Out on Shifts to Their Literacy Practices
Classroom Teachers: Alexis Cohn (Columbus West - 2nd grade), Meghan Walsh (Columbus West - 3rd grade), Sheila Donoghue (Columbus West - 1st-3rd grade)
In this episode, 3 of our teachers of special education will share their views on the shifts they are making to their instructional practices, how this is impacting their students, the differences in the curriculums they had previously been using, and how they hope to continue their learning around structured literacy.
S1-E13: Faces & Stories of Cicero Educators: Educator in Cicero Stories
Guests: Nikki York (Wilson - 5th grade) & Kristen Krueger (Unity - 8th grade)
This special edition episode is split into 3 parts. Each part depicts educators' stories here in Cicero. These episodes were based off of the Humans in New York series where real people become front and center.
In this special edition episode (part 1), we will hear from 2 educators who will share their stories from their time as a teacher in the district. They will take us through their journeys and describe some of the instruction and professional development they have been a part of as well as explain what questions, comments, learning, and growing they have engaged in along the way. All of these educators have been dedicated professionals in our district for a number of years. As Emily Hanford’s podcast, Sold a Story, is wrapping up this week, the relevancy of these stories couldn’t be more timely.
S1-E14: Stories from Cicero Educators - Part 2
Guests: Joanna Goldberg (Sherlock - 2nd grade) & Julie Tauer (district literacy coach)
In this special edition episode, we will hear from educators that will share their stories from their time as a teacher in the district. They will take us through their journeys and describe some of the instruction and professional development they have been a part of as well as explain what questions, comments, learning, and growing they have engaged in along the way. All of these educators have been dedicated professionals in our district for a number of years.
S1-E15: Principal Roundtable: A Collaborative Effort
Principals: Jennifer O’ Connor (Roosevelt) & Robert Mensch (Liberty)
In this episode, two principals from cluster 3 will share their implementation process around 5 key action steps for schools. These 5 key areas are:
How they are learning as leaders;
How they are using, analyzing, and adjusting assessment data;
How they are analyzing curriculum and securing resources to support shifts in instruction;
How they designed schedules this year to allow for targeted instruction and collaboration; and
How they plan on continuing to provide professional development for the 2nd half of the year.
S1-E16: Melissa and Lori Love Literacy Hosts Join Our Podcast
In this episode, we will be hearing from 2 very special guests. Melissa Loftus and Lori Sappington from the Melissa and Lori Love Literacy podcast, powered by Great Minds, were gracious enough to take time out of their busy schedules and join us on our podcast. They will share their own journeys with the SoR, how they helped with the implementation of a new curriculum (Wit & Wisdom) in the Baltimore Schools, and their own advice or recommendations to our teachers as we continue to shift towards using practices that align and support the SoR.
S1-E17: Bridging an SLP’s Role with Other Teachers of Literacy Instruction
Guest: Colleen Wilkes (Cicero West - SLP)
In this episode, an SLP from Cicero West will share her understanding of the SoR and how SLPs can be utilized as a resource for classroom teachers and interventionists. She will describe the work she does with students on developing their receptive and expressive language and how phonology and articulation set the stage for foundational skill learning.
S1-E18: Discussing Shifts in Instruction with Dr. Maria Murray from The Reading League
In this episode, Dr. Maria Murray joins us to discuss the why and how behind the creation of the Reading League, what to think about as we implement a new curriculum, how the Reading League will be supporting educators in the future, and her hopes for literacy instruction moving forward.
S1-E19: Principal Roundtable: A Collaborative Effort
Principals: Heriberto Garcia (Columbus West), Donata Heppner (Columbus East), & Raquel Jenke (Warren Park)
In this episode, three principals from cluster 4 will share their implementation process around 5 key action steps for schools. These 5 key areas are: 1. How they are learning as leaders, 2. How they are using, analyzing, and adjusting assessment data, 3. How they are analyzing curriculum and securing resources to support shifts in instruction, 4. How they designed schedules this year to allow for targeted instruction and collaboration, and 5. How they plan on continuing to provide professional development for the 2nd half of the year.
S1-E20: Discussing Considerations for an MTSS Framework & Interventions with Dr. Matthew Burns
In this episode, Dr. Matthew Burns joins us to discuss what a successful MTSS framework should look like and what are pitfalls to look out for. He shares research on effective classwide interventions, universal screeners, and progress monitoring tools.
S1-E21: Discussing the Importance of Fluency & Collecting the Right Kind of Data with Dr. Jan Hasbrouck
In this episode, Dr. Jan Hasbrouck joins us to discuss the importance of accuracy and automaticity when building fluency as well as what type of data collection is most effective when making instructional decisions.
S1-E22: Replenishing Our Resources - Part 2
In this episode, a variety of resources to further your own learning around literacy will be shared. The list includes podcasts, blogs, documentaries, articles, books, webinars, and websites. We hope part 2 of resources will help support your SoR learning!
S1-E23: K-3 Teachers Sharing Shifts, Instructional Practices, and Student Outcomes
Classroom Teachers: Brooke Schmidt (Drexel - kindergarten), Erika Smith (Sherlock - 3rd grade), Norma Regalado (Columbus West - 2nd grade), & Kathleen Boyle (Columbus West - Resource)
In this episode, four of our K-3 teachers share how they learned about the SoR research, what instructional practices they are using in their classrooms, how they have made changes in their instruction, what results they are seeing in our students, and their thoughts about the direction that the district is shifting towards.
S1-E24: Unity Interventionist Share Their Intermediate Perspective
Interventionists: Beata Kruss & Melissa Lameka
In this episode, 2 of our interventionists from Unity share the shifts they’ve made in their practices, the gaps in foundational skills they are now filling in for intermediate students, relationships they are building along the way, and the successes they are having with structured literacy practices at the middle school level.
S1-E25: Q & A with Dr. Ben Zulauf - You Asked and We Answered!
Four schools across the district submitted questions about structured literacy and the SoR. We took all of the questions received and grouped them into categories and answered them on this podcast. We hope you’ll listen and find out the answers to your questions. All responses are also included in the show notes as well as additional resources for teachers to check out!
S1-E26: Increasing Our Knowledge Around Biliteracy
Guests: Nataly Rodriguez (multilingual program supervisor) & Martin Mireles (district biliteracy coach)
In this episode, Nataly Rodriguez and Martin Mireles provide clarification around what our biliteracy program looks like currently as well as where we are headed as a district in the future. They share what structured literacy should look like dual language classrooms, how they are changing how our community looks at biliteracy education, what some key instructional principles are in a dual language model, and their hopes for our multilingual program as we head into the future.
S1-E27: Stories from Cicero Educators - Part 3
Guests: Jeanne Tanaka (Warren Park - assistant principal) & Felicity Liversidge (Liberty - instructional coach)
This special edition episode is part 3 of the Faces and Stories of Cicero Educators series. Each part depicts educators' stories here in Cicero. These episodes were based off of the Humans in New York series where real people become front and center.
In this special edition episode (part 3), we will hear from 2 educators that will share their stories from their time as educators in the district. They will take us through their journeys and describe some of the instruction and professional development they have been a part of as well as explain what questions, comments, learning, and growing they have engaged in along the way. All of these educators have been dedicated professionals in our district for a number of years. As Emily Hanford’s podcast, Sold a Story, continues to be a topic of discussion, the relevancy of these stories couldn’t be more timely. I hope you enjoy hearing from your colleagues!
S1-E28: Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Phonics and Elevating Our Instruction with Wiley Blevins
In this special episode, Wiley Blevins, shares how to avoid common pitfalls in our phonics instruction, some practical strategies to implement regarding cumulative review and decodable texts, as well as how to make learning engaging for the wide range of students we teach.
S1-E29: Dr. Julia B. Lindsey Shares Her Expertise on Early Literacy Instruction
In this episode, Dr. Julia Lindsey, author of Reading Above the Fray, shares her expertise and knowledge around early literacy instruction and why it is so important to follow the current research, and she describes instructional practices that can be swapped for more effective practices that follow the science of reading research. She shares the importance of shifting our practices and only taking on what we can handle.
S1-E30: Article Review on Literacy Instruction with Dr. Ben Zulauf
In this episode, Dr. Zulauf shares his thoughts around 3 key articles and a blog that were published about the role of comprehension in literacy instruction. Comprehension instruction has been a topic of ongoing learning and debate this year as new studies are coming out about how knowledge impacts comprehension.
S1-E31: The Reading Landscape: A Conversation with Ed Week journalist Sarah Schwartz
In this episode, Sarah Schwartz, an Ed Week journalist, takes us through what the literacy landscape looks like across the country. She also delves into the topic of knowledge and why that has become a “hot” topic in the literacy conversation this year.
S1-E32: Students Take the Stage & Share Their Thoughts on the Piloted Curriculums
In this episode, 2 groups of students share their thoughts about the curriculum they are piloting in their classrooms. A group of students from Liberty School will share their likes, dislikes, and favorite topics on the HMH curriculum, and a 2nd group of students from Warren Park will share their likes, dislikes, and topics of interest on the CKLA/Caminos curriculum. Both groups of students were not only brave enough to take part in this podcast, but were able to articulate some of the learning they have experienced this school year. We are looking forward to seeing how well all of our students will do in the future using a high quality curriculum next school year.
S1-E33: Elise Lovejoy - The Importance of Giving Grace & Doing What’s Right for All Children
In this episode, Elise Lovejoy shares what made her start her own company that creates decodable readers, why decodable readers are so important for practice and application for any student cracking the code, why it is essential we shift our practices to align with the science of reading, and why sometimes teachers need grace and compassion–-because change can be hard, even when it’s necessary.
S1-E34: Principal Roundtable- A Collaborative Effort (Cluster 1)
Guests: Jo Lago (Sherlock - principal), Jill Miller (Cicero East - principal), & Veronica Morales (Cicero West - principal)
In this episode, three principals from cluster 1 share their implementation process around 5 key action steps for schools. These 5 key areas are: 1. How they are learning as leaders, 2. How they are using, analyzing, and adjusting assessment data, 3. How they are analyzing curriculum and securing resources to support shifts in instruction, 4. How they designed schedules this year to allow for targeted instruction and collaboration, and 5. How they plan on continuing to provide professional development for the 2nd half of the year.
In this episode, Stephanie Stollar shares some key insights about how change can be supported at a school and district level. In addition, she takes us through some key pieces that need to be in place within our MTSS system, and shares some ways we can assess student reading comprehension.
In this episode, Dr. Pamela Snow shares her model for language instruction as well as her views on some of the biggest myths around the science of reading. She shares the work that is being done at the LaTrobe Lab as well as her hopes for the future of education.
Page updated
Report abuse