111: The Science of Reading with Shannon Betts & Mary Saghafi

Ever feel like you're swimming against the tide when it comes to teaching kids to read? You're not alone! 

In this enlightening episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, we welcome seasoned educators Shannon Betts & Mary Saghafi, hosts of the Reading Teachers Lounge podcast.

With over two decades of combined experience in various educational settings, from traditional classrooms to specialized reading instruction, they've seen it all – and they're not afraid to ruffle a few feathers to get kids reading.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS:
  • The shift towards science of reading methodologies and its impact on classroom practices
  • Common misconceptions in literacy instruction and how to overcome them
  • Strategies for advocating for struggling readers within school systems
  • The importance of data-driven decision making in addressing students' needs
  • Practical advice for teachers navigating conflicts and improving their instructional practices
Shannon and Mary offer practical advice on meeting kids where they are, ditching one-size-fits-all approaches, and why those foundational skills are just so important. Their discussion highlights the challenges and rewards of being a "rebel educator" who prioritizes student needs over outdated practices.

Whether you're a teacher feeling stuck, an administrator looking for fresh ideas, or a parent trying to make sense of it all, this episode is for you! Tune in and get ready to revolutionize the way you think about teaching reading!


GUEST BIO:
The Reading Teachers Lounge is a podcast and professional learning community of literacy teachers searching for the best resources and research-backed practices to reach their learners.    Cohosts Shannon and Mary bring an honest and experienced point of view to the topics they share.  Listen.  Learn.  And immediately add to your bag of teaching tricks. Find what works for YOUR students with us in the Reading Teachers Lounge.


RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
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MORE ABOUT THE REBEL EDUCATOR PODCAST:

In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education.

This podcast is dedicated to all of the educators who work thankless hours to make our next generation the best it can be.  It was designed to begin conversations on how we can redesign education for the future of work and the success of our students.  It is meant for teachers, students, administrators, homeschoolers and anyone who interacts with and teaches youth.

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IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:
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🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
111: The Science of Reading with Shannon Betts & Mary Saghafi