The Road to Reading Podcast
Episodes
S4E16:Less is More with Katie Baker: Tips on Implementing Retrieval Practice
22 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Katie Baker, a 7th-8th grade Texas and United States history teacher, shares how to focus our energy on effective retrieval strategie...
S4E15: Retrieval Tips with Amber Haven
15 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Amber Haven will share the many ways she incorporates cognitive science principles into her instruction. Amber is a 5th-8th-grade STE...
S4E14: Retrieval Practice with Lauren Proffitt
08 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, 4th-grade teacher Lauren Proffitt shares how she has implemented retrieval practices in her classroom.Show Notes:Powerful Classrooms ...
S4E13: Power Tools with Patrice Bain
01 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Patrice Bain, author of Powerful Teaching and Powerful Classrooms, shares the importance of retrieval practice. Patrice explains 4 Po...
S4E12: Mini-Whiteboards with Brett Benson
15 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Brett Benson, a 7th-grade World Studies teacher, returns to the podcast to share how mini-whiteboards help him make students' th...
S4E11: Using Mini-Whiteboards with North Landesman
25 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, 6th-grade teacher North Landesman will walk us through his routines as well as the many ways in which he uses mini-whiteboards in his...
S4E10:Laura Stam Shares Ways to Elicit Participation from All Students & Make Thinking Visible
18 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Laura Stam, a third-grade teacher from Wyoming, shares how she utilizes choral response, mini whiteboards, turn and talk, stop and jo...
S4E9: Dr. Zach Groshell Explains Explicit Instruction & How to Increase Opportunities to Respond (OTRs)
04 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Zach Groshell shares why explicit instruction is such a necessary part of student learning and why we need to keep all students a...
S4E8:Seamless instruction with Aaron Grossman-Putting the Pieces Together Effectively
14 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Aaron Grossman, a 5th-grade teacher, demonstrates how he effectively integrates various learning strategies throughout his school day...
S4E7:Dr. Gene Tavernetti Shares the FAST Framework- Lesson Planning Done Right!
30 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Gene Tavernetti shares the essential parts of the lesson that all teachers should be aware of. Gene is the author of the books Teach ...
S4E6: Brett Benson Shares how CLT Changes his Instruction for the Better!
16 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, 7th-grade World Studies teacher Brett Benson will share how thinking about CLT has changed his planning process and instruction. He w...
S4E5: Cognitive Load Theory with Dr. Sarah Oberle
02 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Sarah Oberle explains the importance of cognitive load theory and shares what types of things you might think about when looking ...
S4E4: Viewing Lessons through a Cognitive Science Lens with Court Shuller
12 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Court Shuller, a 7th-grade ELA teacher in South Jersey, shares their experience of planning lessons and units through a cognitive sci...
S4E3: The Importance of Learning Science with Dr. Jim Heal & Meg Lee
28 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we hear from Dr. Jim Heal and Meg Lee as they share why learning science is important to get into the hands of all teachers, what 3...
S4E2: Teachers Teaching Teachers About Learning Science w/ Kerry Cusick & Tara Livolsi
14 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, two teachers, Kerry Cusick and Tara Livolsi, share how they developed a professional learning plan for their school and district arou...
S4E1: The Importance of Knowing How Teaching & Learning Happens w/ Holly Korbey
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Holly Korbey shares her perspective on the landscape of education and how much educators and the public know about how learning happe...
Summer Special 3: Meet Project for Adolescent Literacy (PAL)
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, the founding members of Project for Adolescent Literacy (PAL) will share what their organization is all about, what they have been up...
Summer Special 2: Sean Morrisey's New Vocabulary Curriculum
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Sean Morrisey shares his newly developed vocabulary curriculum for grades 3-5 with us. He explains why there was a need for it, how t...
Summer Special: The Knowledge Exchange by Laura Stam: a summer resource
31 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Laura Stam, a 2nd grade teacher in Wyoming shares a knowledge building resource she created called the Knowledge Exchange. This resou...
S3E21: Season 3 Wrap-Up & Summer Resources
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we wrap-up our work in season 3 and make some summer recommendations for resources to check out. Please join us for season 4 as Cicer...
S3E20: Learning More About DLD and Dyslexia with Dr. Tiffany Peltier
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Tiffany Peltier. Dr. Peltier shares how we can utilize screeners to identify students at risk for both reading a...
S3E19: Elana Gordon & Sepideh Noekhah, 2 Cicero teachers, Share their Experiences Using EBLI
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Melissa and Lori from Melissa and Lori Love Literacy podcast, guest host and interview Elana Gordon and Sepideh Noekhah, 2 Cicero edu...
S3E18: The Power of EBLI or S2P with Nora Chahbazi
05 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Nora Chahbazi explains the 4 principles of speech to print (S2P) or Structured Linguistic Literacy, as well as how EBLI embeds many p...
S3E17: Policy & Advocacy with Illinois Advocate Louise Decavitz
13 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Louise Decavitz shares her personal story as well as her work as a policy contributor and advocate in the state of IL. Louise is a bo...
S3E16: Adolescent Literacy is Essential with Dr. Julie Brown
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Julie Brown. Dr. Brown created a structured literacy program at a high school in Vermont and has since shared her success in teaching adolescents ...
S3E15: Implementing Cognitive Science Principles in our Classrooms with Laura Stam
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Laura Stam, a 2nd grade teacher from Wyoming will share practical strategies she uses to implement cognitive science principles such ...
S3E14: Discussing Cognitive Science with Justin Skycak
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Justin Skycak, Chief Quant, Director of Analytics at MathAcademy.com will walk us through some principles of cognitive science and ho...
S3E13: Discussing Rosenshine's Principles with Dr. Nidhi Sachdeva-Part 2
07 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Nidhi Sachdeva for a part 2 in which we discuss how Rosenshine’s Principles can influence our instructional pl...
S3E12: Learning How we Learn & What that Means for Instruction with Dr. Nidhi Sachdeva-Part 1
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Nidhi Sachdeva. Dr. Sachdeva will share her expertise around how learning happens, specifically focusing on cogn...
S3E11: Learning & Leading with Kim Lockhart
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Canadian educator Kim Lockhart will share some of the ways that she has made change in her own practice, but has also helped others t...
S3E10: Angie Hanlin on Systemic Change & Strong Leadership-It's Possible!
02 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we are joined by Angie Hanlin. Join us for some inspiration as Angie shares how she made change in her classroom, at a school and dis...
S3E9: The Impact of Vocabulary with Sean Morrisey
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we are joined by 5th grade teacher Sean Morrisey. Sean will share how he increases vocabulary use in his classroom and what he notice...
S3E8: All About Polysyllabic Words with Dr. Devin Kearns
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Devin Kearns shares his knowledge around syllabication and morphology and how learning to be flexible is key in learning how to r...
S3E7: Cicero Teachers Just Trying it Out!
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we hear from 2 of our very own Cicero teachers, Eilene Grandau and Perri Brinkmeier from Columbus West. They will be sharing how th...
S3E6: Writing with Dr. Leslie Laud
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Leslie Laud explains the importance of writing instruction. She shares what ThinkSRSD is and how it can be implemented in a schoo...
S3E5: Real Stories of Advocacy and Dyslexia with Jenine Hanson
19 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we are acknowledging the advocacy efforts and struggles of those that have raised their voices to help teach all of us about dyslexia...
S3E4: Oral Language Impacts Everything with Dr. Sonia Cabell
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Sonia Cabell shares what a Strive for 5 conversation framework sounds like, how to scaffold these types of conversations for our ...
S3E3: The Importance of Teaching Students to Develop Syntactic Awareness with Dr. Rachel Knecht
20 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Rachel Knecht joins us to share the impact syntactic instruction can have on comprehension. She will describe some practical stra...
S3E2: Making Sense of Syntax with Nancy Eberhardt
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Nancy Eberhardt shares why syntax is important and how it impacts comprehension in reading and helps us develop our writing. Nancy ...
S3:E1 High School Students (Christine & Keegan) Share their Journeys with Dyslexia
24 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Christine and Keegan, two high school students from New Trier, share their journeys with dyslexia. They share their struggles and the...
S2E19: The Past, Present, & Future of Reading with Emily Hanford
14 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we hear from award winning journalist, Emily Hanford. She shares her long standing investigative career in education with us, what dr...
Diving into Literacy Assessments with Dr. Stephanie Stollar
07 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we hear from Dr. Stephanie Stollar. Dr. Stollar will share different types of literacy assessments, how they can be used to dig deepe...