Literacy Lunch Break

In this episode of The Literacy Lunch Break, host Marjorie Bottari sits down with a nationally recognized educator and literacy expert to explore the true foundations of reading success. They discuss the critical role of oral language, the science behind reading development, and how educators can take actionable steps to support every child’s learning journey. From early intervention to innovative leadership practices, this convers...

In this episode of Literacy Lunch Break, we are joined by Alvin Irby, educator, social entrepreneur, and founder of Barbershop Books, for a powerful conversation on advancing literacy equity. Drawing from his experience as a teacher and national thought leader, Alvin shares how his journey shaped a deep commitment to making reading accessible and joyful for all children. We explore the systemic barriers that impact underserved comm...

In this episode of The Literacy Lunch Break, host Marjorie Bottari talks with Dr. Katie Pace Miles, known for her research on high-frequency words and orthographic mapping, about her powerful work with the CUNY Reading Corps. Katie shares how the program, born during COVID, now provides high-impact tutoring to thousands of New York City students while transforming preservice teacher training. Together, they discuss why one-on-one s...

In this episode of The Literacy Lunch Break, host Marjorie Bottari sits down with Dr. Lori Hernandez, Director of Teaching and Learning in Newport Mesa School District. Dr. Hernandez shares how her team has created a district-wide culture of literacy that supports every learner, from newcomers and English learners to students in Title I and non-Title I schools. She discusses the district’s strategic rollout of phonemic awareness, p...

In this episode of The Literacy Lunch Break, host Marjorie Bottari sits down with Dr. Molly Ness—literacy advocate, researcher, and author—to unpack what it really takes to move from knowing the science of reading to putting it into practice. Dr. Ness shares her journey from classroom teacher to national thought leader and offers insight into why literacy reform requires whole-system change, not just new materials. They dive into t...

In this episode of The Literacy Lunch Break, host Marjorie Bottari sits down with Dr. Almitra Berry, a nationally recognized educator and author who has spent over 30 years advocating for all learners. Dr. Berry shares her personal journey and the experiences that fueled her passion for transforming educational outcomes. Together, they discuss , the importance of self-reflection for educators, and practical steps toward improving l...

 In this episode of The Literacy Lunch Break, host Marjorie Bottari sits down with Kai-leé Berke, CEO of Heggerty and a nationally recognized early childhood education expert. With decades of experience as a teacher, administrator, and author of widely used classroom solutions, Kai-leé shares her insights on addressing the complex challenges of reading development. Together, they explore why solving reading problems requires examin...

In this episode, Shelia Cooper, an ELA coordinator, discusses her work supporting teachers and students in achieving literacy success. Shelia highlights the importance of using research-based strategies to foster growth, resilience, and inclusivity in literacy instruction. Learn how Shelia is empowering educators to implement simple, effective approaches in their classrooms, and how she champions a positive learning environment tha...

In this episode, Lisa Elaine Peters, a kindergarten teacher, shares her insights into building literacy skills in young learners. Lisa discusses how she integrates engaging and research-backed methods into her daily teaching, fostering both a love of learning and a growth mindset in her students. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how Lisa’s approach to literacy is helping her students thrive, while providing inspiration to educators ...

Join Kathie Saia and Caroline Ventresca from New York as they discuss their approach to elevating early literacy through explicit writing instruction. Kathie and her team share their experiences using researched literacy practices to create an inclusive, engaging environment where every child feels empowered to learn and grow. 

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• Visit Heggerty.org for FREE Resources and to download samples of our curr...

In this episode, Chelsea Mytko, a kindergarten teacher in Canada, shares how she’s laying the foundation for early literacy success. Hear how Chelsea uses engaging, research-backed strategies to foster resilience and growth in her students, while creating a joyful and inclusive learning environment. Tune in for practical tips and inspiring stories about the little wins that shape her students' literacy journeys.

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Join us as we speak with Sophia Pruett, a 2nd-grade teacher in California, about how she’s creating lasting literacy success in her classroom using systematic literacy instruction. Sophia shares how simple, engaging instruction combined with research-backed best practices is driving student growth, resilience, and a love for reading. Get inspired by her stories of progress, the little wins that keep her students motivated, and how ...

In this episode of Literacy Lunch Break, host Marjorie Bottari chats with renowned writing expert Steve Graham about actionable strategies for improving writing instruction in elementary classrooms. Steve shares research-backed tips that teachers can apply tomorrow. Learn how to connect reading and writing, support diverse learners, and enhance essential writing skills like handwriting and sentence construction. Don’t miss these in...

Explore the interconnectedness of reading and writing with Joan Sedita, a leading researcher in literacy education. This episode provides insights into how these two critical skills reinforce each other and offers practical tips for seamless integration in your teaching practice.

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Series 5, Episode 3: In this episode, Dr. Julie Behmer shares practical strategies for bringing research-backed approaches to writing instruction into your classroom. Discover how to build your confidence, enhance your teaching practices, and make writing a rewarding experience for both you and your students.

This podcast series focuses on writing instruction in structured literacy classrooms, providing expert insights and...

Series 5, Episode 2: Writing instruction can be intimidating for many educators. Janine from Heggerty addresses common fears and challenges teachers face when teaching writing. Tune in for practical advice and encouragement to help teachers overcome these hurdles and build their confidence.

This podcast series focuses on writing instruction in structured literacy classrooms, providing expert insights and practical strategi...

Series 5, Episode 1: Literacy Coordinator Sandra Chen shares her experience in leading district-wide changes in writing instruction. From curriculum evaluation to professional development, learn where to start and how to create lasting change in your district.

This podcast series focuses on writing instruction in structured literacy classrooms, providing expert insights and practical strategies. From integrating writing wi...

Series 4, Episode 6: Tune in to Literacy Lunch Break as host Marjorie Bottari engages in a dynamic conversation with Dr. Esmeralda Carini, a passionate K-12 literacy leader. Esmeralda shares strategies for ensuring educators have access to targeted professional learning opportunities, specifically focusing on enhancing content knowledge to drive student achievement. From her experiences in Hawaii, Esmeralda shares insights on foste...

Series 4, Episode 5: Join us for an insightful episode of Literacy Lunch Break as we sit down with Dr. Gyimah Whitaker, Superintendent at City Schools of Decatur, and Jennifer Burton, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning. Discover their innovative approaches to literacy leadership and learn how they are transforming literacy education to foster student success and engagement in their district.

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