S1E2 /// Balanced Isn’t Enough — She Had the Title But Not the Training

What if I told you it was never your fault?

 

Many teachers care deeply — so why do so many children still struggle to read?

In this eye-opening episode, we explore the myth of balanced literacy, the widespread training gaps in teacher preparation, and the emotional toll on students and families. We follow the powerful journey of Jeanine Phillips — a Kansas teacher and mom who discovered her own dyslexia in college and then fought to understand why her son, Cooper, couldn’t read.

Their story reveals how broken systems leave educators unprepared, students misdiagnosed, and families desperate for answers — until someone finally teaches the code.

In This Episode You’ll Hear:

• Jeanine Phillips’s story of discovering her own dyslexia and advocating for her son

• Cooper Phillips reflecting on shame, a diagnosis of profound dyslexia, and the moment everything changed

• Dr. Brian Stone’s perspective on identifying dyslexia and guiding a family toward healing

• Balanced literacy didn’t prepare teachers to teach reading — and many never learned how the brain actually learns to read

• Dyslexia is real, common, and often misunderstood — in both students and adults

• Early intervention, structured literacy, and the right support can change the trajectory of a child’s life.

• Families and teachers are doing their best within broken systems — and change starts with knowledge and action

• You’re not alone, and you’re not to blame — but together, we can do better

“Balanced literacy didn’t prepare me to teach reading. I had the title, but not the training.”

– Jeanine Phillips

Call to Action

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Resources & Further Reading

• Phillips Fundamental Learning Center — Wichita, KS

• LETRS Structured Literacy Training

• Sold a Story podcast — Emily Hanford & APM Reports

• Children of the Code video series

• Teaching Reading Is Rocket Science by Dr. Louisa Moats, AFT (2020) — Myths About Dyslexia — PDF Resource

 

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