The Teachers Talk Shop Podcast

The transformative journey of the Waterbury, CT school district's literacy instruction highlights the commitment to evidence-based practices and the science of reading. Dr. Jennifer Nigh talks with Dena Mortensen and Susan Meaney, who share the district's experience. The relentless pursuit of improvement and collaboration among educators serves as an inspiring model for other districts.

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Educator Julie Wright shares tips, tools, and templates you can use to coach at the planning table and bring to life in the classroom. She also discusses co-planning and co-teaching as supports for both teachers and students across the school year.

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Every child deserves to have a teacher who has a thinking partner.  That’s because the work we do in schools is too complicated to go at it alone.  Julie Wright shares 3 small moves to kickstart coaching in the fall, or across the school year, that will have big takeaways. 

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Join educational leaders from Kennett Consolidated School District—Heather Collins, Jennifer Miller, and Brenna Austin—as they share their ongoing journey to achieve literacy proficiency for English Learners. Discover how they’re driving meaningful change through a continuous improvement model and innovative curriculum updates. Hear firsthand how they use sustained professional development to empower teachers, inspire growth, and support every learner. This episode is packed with insights on building a lasting impact—don’t miss it!

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Dr. Alicia Thompson, former superintendent of Wichita Public Schools, shares her firsthand experiences navigating the highs and lows of leadership in K-12+ education. From the most urgent challenges facing today's educators to the transformative power of mentorship, sponsorship, and networking, Dr. Thompson offers practical solutions that promote wellness and drive lasting change. 

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Join us as we sit down with Nate Hansford, educator and author, to talk about English learners and what we know from meta-analysis research and the Science of Reading. Nate shares valuable insights on important topics including supporting English learners in upper grades, enhancing motivation, providing effective feedback, and leveraging technology. Tune in to discover evidence-based techniques that you can implement in your classroom tomorrow.

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Washington state educators, founders of Read Washington, and co-authors of a chapter in the book, Climbing the Ladder of Reading & Writing, Amy Fleisher and Julie Bedell join the Teacher’s Talk Shop podcast to talk about creating pathways for stronger home-school connections. In this episode, Fleisher and Bedell draw from research to offer first-hand recommendations for how teachers can foster meaningful home-school connections and create a welcoming school culture that values the partnership between educators and families.

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Mike Poore, former superintendent of the Little Rock Public Schools, sits down with Jennifer Nigh to discuss how students win, win, win when community members and organizations are involved in school and district literacy initiatives. In this episode, Poore talks about three initiatives that support the art and science of literacy, while also creating a culture of literacy across the city. Poore offers practical advice for any district wanting to implement these initiatives. Be ready to be inspired and make change beyond the four walls of a classroom.

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Expert educator, experienced administrator, and advocate for equitable learning opportunities, Megan Lorio delves into the vital role of family engagement. Drawing from her work with the Family Engagement Lab, Lorio shares high impact practices that help to cultivate trusting and authentic relationships, ultimately bridging the information gap to ensure all students achieve academic success.

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Dr. Lynne Kulich, educator and co-author of the book, The Fluency Development Lesson: Closing the Reading Gap, sits down with Jennifer Nigh to talk about reading fluency and multilingual learners. Kulich shares valuable insights and practical recommendations, emphasizing evidence-based instructional practices that help all students cross the bridge from word recognition to comprehension.

Learn more at TeachersTalkShop.com