If you’ve ever thought, “My students just can’t write,” this episode is for you.

Writing is one of the most misunderstood parts of literacy instruction — and often one of the most frustrating for teachers and students alike.

In today’s conversation with Barbara Friedlander, we unpack what’s really happening beneath the surface when students struggle with writing — and what actually makes a difference.

This week on the podcast, I’m joined by educators from PS152Q in Queens to talk about what it really looks like to shift a school toward structured literacy. We dive into how their team moved away from practices that weren’t serving all students and began building a literacy block grounded in explicit phonics, intentional routines, and strong Tier 1 instruction.

If your students can decode CVC words but completely shut down when they see fantastic or instruction, this episode is for you.

In today’s conversation, we dig into what really helps students read multisyllabic words — and it’s not just memorizing syllable types.

In this episode, I sit down with speech-language pathologist Sydney Bassard to unpack one of the most powerful (and often misunderstood) tools in literacy instruction: spelling error analysis.

Together, we explore how spelling, reading, and writing are deeply interconnected—and why looking beyond percent correct can completely change how we support students.

In this episode, I’m joined by literacy researcher, former classroom teacher, and author Julia Lindsay for a powerful conversation about small group reading instruction—what works, what doesn’t, and how we can rethink small groups in a way that actually supports students and teachers.

In today’s episode, I sit down with the incredible Dr. Maria Murray, founder and CEO of The Reading League, to talk about one of the most consequential decisions schools make: choosing a reading curriculum. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by programs, sales pitches, reviews, or state requirements, this conversation is a breath of fresh air.

In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to turn the Science of Reading into daily classroom practice. From observing other teachers, to tightening routines, to managing time inside overloaded programs, this conversation is all about building a literacy block that actually works.

In This Episode, We Cover

Understanding Dyslexia and Misconceptions

• What dyslexia actually is

• Why eligibility labels alone are not enough

• How co-occurring needs (like ADHD) influence support

• Why early identification matters

What Effective Support Looks Like

• Why intervention is not one-size-fits-all

• The myth of relying on brand-name programs instead of strong interventionists

• How to individualize minutes, intensity, and instructional needs

• Why waiting is the most damaging “intervention”

In this episode, Elise shares her journey from classroom teacher to curriculum creator to entrepreneur, and opens up about the moment she realized teachers needed more than scattered resources and social media tips — they needed a trusted, community-centered space where research meets real classrooms.

This conversation is a must-listen for teachers, coaches, and leaders who feel the weight of trying to “figure it all out” alone. Elise brings a refreshing blend of honesty, practicality, and heart to the topic of professional learning and what it should look like.

In this episode, we sit down with writing expert and longtime educator Amy Siracusano to unpack what early writing instruction should look like—and why so many teachers struggle with it. From handwriting and stroke formation to moving students from oral language to letters, words, and eventually sentences, Amy brings clarity to a process that often feels overwhelming in K–2 classrooms.

Together, we explore why writing has been left out of the Science of Reading conversation, how foundational skills set students up for success, and practical ways teachers can support young writers without frustration or shutdowns. Amy shares actionable steps, classroom routines, and scaffolds that make writing more accessible, especially for multilingual learners and students who need more explicit support.

In today’s episode, I sit down with literacy legend Dr. Jan Hasbrouck — researcher, author, consultant, and co-creator of the widely used Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) norms. Known for her unmatched expertise in reading fluency, assessments, instructional coaching, and dyslexia, Dr. Hasbrouck brings decades of wisdom to this powerful conversation.

Together, Jan and I unpack myths about learning to read, the truth behind the “95% of kids can learn to read” statistic, what dyslexic learners really need, how fluency develops, and why teachers are essentially performing “brain surgery by instruction.” This episode is packed with clarity, encouragement, and inspiration for educators at every level.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to write your own decodable books—or how to make them both phonics-aligned and fun to read? In this episode of the Route2Reading Podcast, Amie sits down with Brooke Vitale, former children’s book editor turned author and co-creator of Charge Mommy Books, to talk about how she began writing decodable texts during the pandemic and what she’s learned along the way.

Have you ever handed your students a decodable book and thought, “Why is this so hard for them?” You’re not alone. Decodable texts are one of our most powerful tools for early reading—but only when used intentionally. In this episode (and post), we’re breaking down six common mistakes teachers make with decodable books—and how to fix them—so you can build stronger readers without losing meaning, confidence, or joy.

What if I told you morphology isn’t too advanced for young readers—it’s actually the missing piece that makes decoding, spelling, and vocabulary stick?

In this episode, I’m joined by two of my favorite literacy leaders, Michelle Sullivan and Sarah Paul, to talk all things morphology. We unpack what it is, why it matters from the very start of reading instruction, and how to make it engaging and approachable for even our youngest students.

Whether you’re brand-new to morphology or already a self-proclaimed word nerd, this conversation will give you practical tools you can use tomorrow.

Syllables can feel “big” or confusing—but they don’t have to be. In this episode, I chat with reading specialist Savannah Campbell (Campbell Creates Readers) about how to make syllable instruction clear, doable, and effective from k–5. We cover the six syllable types, how (and whether) to teach division patterns, set-for-variability, and simple multisensory tools that help kids read and spell multisyllabic words with confidence.

In this episode, I’m excited to share a conversation I originally had on the Triple R Teaching Podcast with Anna Geiger (The Measured Mom). Together, we dive into my book Literacy Unlocked: How to Implement the Science of Reading with Young Learners and explore how to bridge research with practical classroom application.

We cover the real-life challenges teachers face when it comes to foundational literacy skills and the shifts required to move from balanced literacy to the science of reading. This episode is packed with actionable ideas that you can take straight into your classroom.

In this episode of Literacy Unlocked, I’m joined by Susan Lambert, host of the Science of Reading: The Podcast by Amplify, to dig into one of the most essential—and often overlooked—components of reading success: language. Susan shares personal stories and professional insights that make a powerful case for elevating language development right alongside decoding.

In today’s episode, Amie breaks down eight essential, research-backed strategies for teaching letter sounds in ways that are practical, effective, and rooted in the science of reading. These aren’t trendy tricks or rigid programs—they’re flexible, powerful routines that actually work in real classrooms with real kids.

In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Dr. Shayne Piasta — a developmental psychologist, early literacy researcher, and professor at The Ohio State University. Her work has deeply influenced how I think about alphabet instruction, and I couldn’t wait to sit down with her to talk about what the research actually says about teaching letter names, sounds, and formation — and how to make it practical for real classrooms.

In this heartfelt episode, Amie Burkholder takes you behind the scenes of her new book, Literacy Unlocked. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the nonstop buzz around the Science of Reading or unsure how to turn research into real-life instruction, this episode is for you.