What I Didn’t Know About Dyslexia - A Family’s Journey
Schoolutions: Curious Educators. Evidence-Based Strategies. Classrooms Where Every Child Thrives.
02/28/22
•20m
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Join me for this S1E3 interview with Katherine Casey Spengler, Ph.D., an education consultant and clinical reading therapist, as she shares her deeply personal journey discovering her daughter Anna has dyslexia. Despite being a literacy expert with decades of experience, Katherine reveals the shocking gaps in her own knowledge about dyslexia and the struggles her family faced navigating the education system.
In this powerful episode of Schoolutions, you'll discover:
- Early warning signs of dyslexia that every parent and teacher should know
- Why 40-60% of children with dyslexia have a family member who also struggles with reading
- How to advocate for your child in both private and public school settings
- The importance of explicit phonics instruction and foundational literacy skills
- Latest research from Dr. Nadine Gabes at Harvard on identifying reading risks as early as age 4
- Why "balanced literacy" approaches may be unbalanced for struggling readers
- How struggling readers can become disruptive students without proper support
- Effective teaching strategies for student engagement and motivation in literacy
- The critical role of teacher coaching and professional development in reading instruction
Resources Mentioned:
Katherine’s Book: Literacy Coaching: The Essentials (2006)
Katherine's Recommended Experts:
- Dr. Nadine Gaab: Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience: linking neuroscience and education GAAB LAB @ HGSE
- Dr. David Kilpatrick: Essentials of Assessing, Preventing, and Overcoming Reading Difficulties (Essentials of Psychological Assessment)
- Dr. Lynne Thrope, Ph.D.: The Reading Room - “The place where students learn to read so they can read to learn.”
- Stanislas Deahane: Reading in the Brain: The New Science of How We Read
Chapters:
- 0:00 Introduction to Dr. Katherine Casey Spengler
- 0:58 Most Inspiring Teacher: Dr. Nadine Gabes
- 2:48 Katherine's Educational Journey & Teacher Coaching Background
- 4:04 From Researcher to Teacher to Consultant
- 5:56 The Moment That Changed Everything
- 7:09 Anna's Early Language Development
- 8:23 First Signs of Reading Struggles in Kindergarten
- 9:39 The Heartbreaking Realization - When Student Engagement Fails
- 10:32 Vision Therapy Detour
- 11:24 Fighting for Appropriate Support & Inclusive Teaching
- 12:14 The Importance of Listening to Parents & Family Partnerships
- 13:06 Expert Recommendations for Teachers & Professional Development
- 15:23 Family History and Risk Factors
- 16:16 The Simple View of Reading (That's Not Simple)
- 17:06 Rebalancing Literacy Instruction & Effective Teaching Strategies
- 18:28 Final Thoughts: Empowered Educators & Student Success
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Previous Episode
How a School is Ending Poverty Through Family Support
February 28, 2022
•22m
In this inspiring S1E2 interview, I am in conversation with Kyle Skinner, (former) Principal of Benjamin Franklin Elementary in Binghamton, NY. Discover how this dedicated educator and school leader transformed his school into more than just a community—it's a family, demonstrating exceptional instructional leadership and school improvement strategies.
Kyle shares innovative education strategies for engaging families through fun events, addressing food insecurity with their "Tracy Cares" food pantry, providing healthcare access with an on-site clinic, and supporting young men through the award-winning BF Gents Club. His approach exemplifies culturally responsive teaching and equity in education principles.
Learn practical teaching tips and principal strategies for creating a nurturing school culture where students and families can truly thrive despite challenging circumstances. This episode showcases how effective teaching extends beyond the classroom through family partnerships and home-school connection initiatives that support the whole child.
Kyle's innovative approach to school leadership demonstrates how empowered educators can create education transformation through student engagement strategies that go far beyond traditional classroom management. His work with difficult students and focus on student motivation shows how pro-kid mindset and inclusive teaching can lead to student success.
A must-watch for teachers, education coaches, school administrators, parents, homeschoolers, teacher mentors, instructional leaders, and school counselors passionate about making a difference in public education!
Traci C.A.R.E.S. (Community Adult Resource Education Services Center) & Benjamin Franklin Elementary School Food Pantry
- Food Bank of the Southern Tier
- Monetary donations for Kyle's school can be sent directly to: Food Bank of the Southern Tier, 388 Upper Oakwood Ave, Elmira, NY 14903 with a note that it is for Benjamin Franklin Elementary School
- Food Bank of the Southern Tier
- BF Gents Club (BF Gents Club - 4th & 5th graders from Ben Franklin Elementary Recognized by NYS School Boards Association - 30 members 9.22.2020) - led by Jeremiah Johnson)
- 00:00 Introduction to Principal Kyle Skinner and education leadership philosophy
- 01:16 Kyle's Journey from teacher to principal - professional development path
- 02:55 Creating a School Family vs. Community School - school culture transformation
- 04:47 Six Family Engagement Events Throughout the Year - parent communication strategies
- 07:10 Tracy Cares Food Pantry and Community Center - education at home support
- 10:32 How the Food Pantry is Funded and Stocked - school change through community partnerships
- 12:16 The Growing Community Center and Its Services - inclusive classrooms approach
- 14:52 On-Site Health Clinic and Mental Health Support - thriving students through comprehensive care
- 17:34 The Award-Winning BF Gents Club for Young Men - student discipline through positive mentorship
#Schoolutions #EducationSolutions #SchoolLeadership #CommunitySchools #FamilyEngagement #SchoolSupport #PrincipalInterview #EducationInnovation #FoodPantry #MentorshipPrograms #SchoolHealthClinic
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Next Episode
How Young Writers Use Their Voices to Reach Authentic Audiences
February 28, 2022
•17m
In this powerful S1E4 interview, hear how Jake Chernikoff and Alex McConduit transformed disengaged writers into published authors during virtual learning. Jake and Alex share their groundbreaking approach to student engagement and student motivation through authentic publishing experiences.
🔥 What You'll Learn:
✅ How to turn low engagement into active learning through real-world projects
✅ Behavior strategies that inspire students through meaningful work
✅ Effective teaching methods for student participation and attention in class
✅ Innovation teaching techniques for inclusive classrooms and culturally responsive teaching
✅ Professional learning insights for teacher coaching and instructional coaching
✅ Parent involvement strategies and home-school connection building
✅ Education strategies that create lasting student success and thriving students
This inspiring conversation reveals how teacher mentors can support new teachers with pro-kid mindset approaches that focus on the whole child. Perfect for teachers, education coaches, school administrators, parents, homeschoolers, and instructional leaders seeking education transformation.
Featured Topics: classroom management, student discipline, managing students, classroom control, instructional strategies, lesson planning, teaching tips, teacher support, school leadership, school improvement, family partnerships, equity in education, empowered educators, inspired teaching, teacher impact
👥 Perfect for: Teachers, education coaches, school administrators, parents, homeschoolers, teacher mentors, instructional leaders, school counselors
Episode Mentions:
- Big Boot Books (founded in 2010 by Alex)
- W.R.I.T.E. (Write, Read, Illustrate To Educate) - a youth publishing program designed to transform students into published authors
Alex’s Books:
- The Little Who Dat Who Didn't (2011)
- Thorn in My Horn (2013)
- Peter and the Pelican (2015)
- Snoballs for All (2015)
- Bloom: The Story of the World’s First Flower (2020)
Jake & Alex’s Book Collaborations (also with Irwan Awalludin & Arlo Chapple):
Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI)
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction & Guest Backgrounds
01:41 Inspiring Teachers Discussion
03:43 Henry's Writing Transformation Story
05:34 Choosing Activism as Writing Topic
08:17 Funding & Grant Strategies
11:36 Amazon Publishing Process
13:11 Managing Proceeds & Student Decisions
16:29 Final Thoughts & Impact
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
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