Leading Literacy
Episodes
Making Literacy Go Viral with Jake Daggett
10 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Leading Literacy is thrilled to welcome Instagram and TikTok sensation, Jake Daggett. Jake is the current literacy director in a Milwaukee school wh...
From Sight Words to Aligned Systems with Janee Butler
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Leading Literacy, we had a chance to chat with Janee Butler, the Director of Program Design & Implementation at The Center for Lite...
Purpose, Passion, and Joy in Education with Dr. Joyce Jamerson
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest on Leading Literacy is someone who truly embodies the power of education and the importance of a hero's journey. Dr. Joyce Jamerson is a...
Inside The Reading League's Compass Resource with Kari Kurto
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Leading Literacy, we're joined by the incredible Kari Kurto. She's the National Science of Reading Project Director at The Reading ...
More than Reading: Highlighting 50 Years of Joan Sedita's Work as an Educator
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We spend a lot of time on Leading Literacy talking about reading, and for this episode we are going to switch things up and focus in on writing. We're...
Building Better Teachers in California with Univ. of La Verne Professors Drs. Nancy Walker and Shana Matamala
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hello Leading Literacy friends! As you know, Institutes of High Ed. play an important role in making the instructional shift from balanced to ...
Tami Wilson - California's Dyslexia & Literacy Advocate
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode Leading Literacy, we welcome Tami Wilson, Director of Development and Training at the Sacramento County Office of Education and lead o...
Lessons from Lancaster School District
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Leading Literacy! In this episode, we are thrilled to have a conversation with three incredible leaders from the Lancaster School Distric...
Jasmine Rogers
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hey there, educator friends! On this episode of Leading Literacy, we can't wait for you to get to know Dr. Jasmine Rogers. Dr. Rogers is from the ...
Scott Valley Unified Educators: Hannah Shickle and Tana Piersall
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hello educator friends! On this episode of Leading Literacy we're diving back into the secondary world to talk with teacher, Hannah Shickle and scho...
Denise Eide
13 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back, educator friends. We're super excited about this episode with Denise Eide, author of the book, Uncovering the Logic of English: A Comm...
Laundromat Library League with Phil Tripp
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever witnessed an amazing idea come to life and wonder, "Why didn't I think of that?" Well, this is exactly what we thought when we heard a...
Denise Morgan, Parent Advocate
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Leading Literacy, we are thrilled to have our first parent advocate, Denise Morgan. Denise is no ordinary parent – she's determin...
Molly Ness
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hey there, educator friends! I have a question for you. How many of you love doing read alouds with your students? I'm going to guess and say al...
Maya Valencia Goodall
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Leading Literacy, we have an inspiring conversation with Maya Goodall. Maya is an educator, entrepreneur, and curriculum develope...
The Reading League California with Kristen Koeller and Andrea Setmeyer
27 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hey there, educator friends! We're super excited to share this special episode of Leading Literacy. It's the one where Leslie and I have a chat with...
Lacey Robinson
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hello educator friends! You are in for a treat on this episode as we talk with literacy and social justice advocate Lacey Robinson. Lacey is the P...
Tracy White Weeden
01 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hey there, educator friends! On this episode of Leading Literacy, we have the pleasure of introducing you to the wonderful Dr. Tracy White Weeden. ...
Debbie Anderson, L.A. County Librarian
17 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Leading Literacy, we talk about the role of libraries. I know, sounds kind of boring, right? Well, my listeners, this episode i...
Trisha Tucker
02 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hi friends! On this episode of Leading Literacy, we have such an amazing guest. Dr. Trisha Tucker is the Head of the Writing Instruction in the Th...
Sabrina Causey & Jessica Reid Sliwerski from The Right to Read
30 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hello friends and welcome to Leading Literacy! On this episode we are excited to delve further into The Right to Read documentary. (Small aside, i...
Kareem Weaver
03 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hey, educator friends! OMG! This episode of Leading Literacy is one of our best ones yet! We had a chance to sit down with Kareem Weaver, educator, ...
Shelley Blackwell
23 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hey all you spelling word-nerds out there! On this episode of Leading Literacy, we get to share all the buzz on one of our favorite topics – spell...
Lee Herrick
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Leading Literacy had the honor and pleasure of chatting with Lee Herrick, California's Poet Laureate. Lee was awarded this title by Governor Newsom...
Susan Lambert
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We're so excited to have Susan Lambert on this episode of Leading Literacy. Susan is the Chief Academic Officer for Elementary Humanities at Amplify...
Sonia Cabell
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You are in for a real treat on this episode of Leading Literacy as Leslie and Mara sit down with Dr. Sonia Cabell, assistant professor in the School o...
Donalyn Miller
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Leading Literacy, Leslie and Mara welcome award-winning author, teacher, and professional development leader, Donalyn Miller. As ...
Addressing Secondary Reading Gaps w/ Leslie & Jessica
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Leading Literacy, Mara sits down with two special guests to discuss an issue that has not yet been addressed on the podcast. As par...
Jana Echevarria
01 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Leading Literacy welcomes Dr. Jana Echevarria, Professor Emerita at California State University, Long Beach. As an educator, Dr. Echevarria has taug...
Claude Goldenberg
26 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Leading Literacy, we're thrilled to speak with noted reading researcher and language expert, Dr. Claude Goldenberg. Dr Goldenberg i...
Deidra Mayberry
15 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We have a treat for you on this episode of Leading Literacy. We interview Deidra Mayberry, president, and founder of Reading to New Heights, a nonprof...
Elsa Cardenas-Hagan
26 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Leading Literacy can't wait to introduce you to Dr. Elsa Cardenas-Hagan! Elsa is a Bilingual Speech Language Pathologist, who has spent decades work...
Chris Ann Horsley
14 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We are so excited to introduce you to Chris Ann Horsley, the Director of Elementary Curriculum at Bonita Unified School District. As a district and ...
Todd Collins
11 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of Leading Literacy, we are thrilled to have Todd Collins as our guest. Todd is a board member of a California school district that ...
Kymyona Burk
20 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Leading Literacy welcomes Dr. Kymyona Burk to the podcast. Currently, Dr. Burk is a senior policy fellow from ExcelinEd where she supports states an...
DeJunne' Clark Jackson
02 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Leading Literacy welcomes DeJunne' Clark Jackson, Vice President of Program Development for the Center for Development and Learning. DeJunne' shares h...
Ruth Baskett
02 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Leading Literacy welcomes LACOE's very own English Learner Project Director, Ruth Baskett. Ruth is both hilarious and knowledgeable in the world of ...
Dr. Maria Murray
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It is our pleasure to welcome Dr. Maria Murray to Leading Literacy! Maria is the CEO and President of The Reading League and has served as an asso...
L.A. County Poet Laureate: Lynne Thompson
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Leading Literacy has the honor and privilege to welcome L.A. County's 2021 Poet Laureate, Lynne Thompson. Listen in and get to know Lynne and the unc...
WriteGirl L.A. Founder: Keren Taylor
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this must-listen episode of Leading Literacy, Leslie and Mara have a wonderful discussion with Keren Taylor, Executive Director and Founder of Writ...
Thomishia Booker
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today on Leading Literacy we are thrilled to welcome licensed therapist, author, mother and advocate, Dr. Thomishia Booker. Dr. Booker is the author o...
Francisco X. Stork
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Leslie and Mara interview celebrated young adult fiction author, Francisco X. Stork. Francisco has a very interesting backstory as a young immigrant f...
Dr. Kathryn Edwards & Leslie Zoroya
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this special episode of Leading Literacy, Mara interviews Leslie and Dr. Kathryn Edwards, the Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at LACOE...
Dr. Julie Washington
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Leading Literacy welcomes UC Irvine School of Education professor, Dr. Julie Washington. Dr. Washington's research is focused on the intersection of l...
Margaret Goldberg
02 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Leading Literacy welcomes Margaret Goldberg for a chat about all things science of reading, coaching, and evidence-based reading instruction. Curren...
Ricky Robertson
02 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ricky Robertson stops by Leading Literacy to discuss the importance of student trauma and adversity and how it impacts their educational experience an...
Dr. Katie Novak & Mirko Chardin
02 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Leading Literacy is super thrilled and honored to welcome Dr. Katie Novak and Mirko Chardin to the podcast to talk about their new book, "Equity by De...
Teacher Roundtable
07 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We have a very special episode of Leading Literacy - our very first teacher roundtable discussion! We are thrilled to welcome Xochitl Morales (K tea...
Jessica Hamman
07 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Leading Literacy welcomes Jessica Hamman, founder and CEO of Glean Education. Jessica has worked in education for close to two decades. She started Gl...
Maryanne Wolf
07 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Leslie and Mara welcome Dr. Maryanne Wolf on Leading Literacy. Dr. Wolf is the director for the Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Just...
Louisa Moats
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Leading Literacy is over-the-moon excited and honored to welcome THE Dr. Louise Moats. Dr. Moats has dedicated her entire career to literacy educati...
Jeff Share
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Leslie and Mara are delighted to welcome UCLA professor, Dr. Jeff Share, co-author of The Critical Media Literacy Guide: Engaging Media and Transform...
Elizabeth Jimenez Salinas
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join Leslie, Mara, and Elizabeth Jimenez Salinas as they discuss the "superpowers" of being bilingual and practical strategies to implement in the cla...
Emily Hanford
14 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Leading Literacy is so excited to have Emily Hanford! Emily is a senior education correspondent at American Public Media Reports and a total science o...
Natalie Wexler
14 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Natalie Wexler shares her insights and thoughts with Leslie and Mara about her two books: The Knowledge Gap and The Writing Revolution. Join the co...
Carolyn Strom
14 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Leslie & Mara welcome Dr. Carolyn Strom - first grade teacher, turned reading specialist/literacy consultant, turned NYU Professor. Carolyn joins the ...
Spell Master Extraordinaire
14 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Leslie & Mara are thrilled to chat with their dear friend and spell master extraordinaire, Donna Van Allen! If you've ever wondered what it's like to ...
Interviewing Leslie & Mara
03 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Leading Literacy, a new podcast from Los Angeles County Office of Education's Reading Language Arts Unit. In this first episode, we get to ...