Kate Cain, PhD, joins the READ Podcast to explain the latest research on reading comprehension and shares practical, daily ways that teachers can promote critical literacy skills. Dr. Cain reflects on her research journey and expertise, exploring the multidimensional nature of reading comprehension and the role of oral language development in literacy. In this episode, you will learn about: Reading comprehension as an active, integrated process Critical markers of oral language and comprehension...
Jun 04, 2025•57 min•Ep. 69
This LEAD on READ episode features Dr. Amy Murdoch, Assistant Dean of Reading Science at Mount St. Joseph University. Starting her career as a school psychologist, Dr. Murdoch has been a leader in reading education, driving systemic change and empowering teachers through the science of reading. In this episode, Dr. Murdoch discusses adopting a systems-level perspective and fostering collaboration among all stakeholders to instill change. leveraging consistent data as a tool to inform instruction...
May 07, 2025•54 min•Ep. 68
Dr. Stephanie Al Otaiba joins READ to share her expertise in literacy interventions, the impact of social-emotional development on learning, and the future of reading education research. A leading researcher and professor at Southern Methodist University, Dr. Al Otaiba has led and collaborated on key studies on literacy and learning disabilities. In this episode, she discusses a framework for applying interventions in schools. the role of social-emotional learning and growth mindset in reading d...
Apr 02, 2025•56 min•Ep. 67
Ola Ozernov-Palchik, PhD, joins READ to discuss her work in dyslexia, neuroscience, and early literacy policy. She explores the paradox of dyslexia—why early identification is critical yet often delayed—and how neuroimaging research uncovers the brain's role in reading development and challenges. In this episode, you'll learn: What neuroscience studies reveal about reading acquisition and dyslexia How research informs universal screening and early literacy policies The successes and challenges o...
Mar 05, 2025•52 min•Ep. 66
The Windward Institute team joins READ Podcast host Danielle Gomez for an in-depth exploration of knowledge and reading comprehension. Colleen McGlynn, associate director of language arts, and Alison Leveque, content and implementation director, discuss the research supporting comprehension, the role of knowledge in reading, and how these insights translate into classroom practice. In this episode, the co-hosts share insights on translating research on knowledge and reading comprehension into pr...
Feb 19, 2025•55 min•Ep. 65
This month on READ, we’re revisiting one of our most popular episodes featuring Dr. Sonia Cabell to highlight the vital role of knowledge in reading comprehension. In this conversation from episode 50 , Dr. Cabell and Danielle discuss the integrated nature of reading comprehension, knowledge and writing. You will learn about the reciprocal nature between background knowledge and comprehension. literacy and content-rich instruction. effective practices for integrated literacy and content instruct...
Feb 05, 2025•50 min
The READ Podcast celebrates its 5th anniversary in research, education, and advocacy with distinguished professor and researcher in literacy, Devin Kearns, PhD. A longtime friend and advisory board member of The Windward Institute, Dr. Kearns and host, Dr. Danielle Gomez, reflect on the evolution of the Science of Reading (SoR) and its impact on educational practices over the past five years. In this episode, you will learn about the key headlines in research around the Science of Reading. trend...
Jan 08, 2025•48 min•Ep. 64
Join co-hosts Danielle Gomez and Jamie Williamson as they interview Kelly Carvajal Hagemen for an episode of LEAD on READ. Kelly Carvajal Hagemen shares the story of the Seaford School District as the district transformed its literacy outcomes from an underperforming "focus school" to one of the highest achieving districts in the state of Delaware. As the former Director of Instruction of Seaford, Kelly shares a behind the scenes case study of the district's turnaround. In this episode, you will...
Dec 05, 2024•49 min•Ep. 63
Jan Hasbrouck, PhD, joins READ to discuss the complexities of fluency, including its components and misconceptions, and how it relates to word reading and comprehension. Dr. Hasbrouck emphasizes the importance of effective assessment, instruction, and intervention to support struggling readers at all grade levels. In this episode, you will learn about the multifaceted nature of fluency. effective instruction that addresses the progression of skills necessary for fluency. implications for assessm...
Oct 23, 2024•51 min•Ep. 62
Kareem Weaver, a leading advocate for literacy equity and social justice, joins a special conversation of LEAD on READ to discuss critical issues and questions surrounding literacy, leadership, and education. Kareem's commitment to literacy for all is unwavering. In this episode, we discuss literacy as a fundamental civil right for all children across the United States. the consequences to illiteracy that impact all aspects of academic, civic, and personal life. insights on the systemic challeng...
Oct 02, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 61
Current research and insights in education examine a whole child approach to development. What does this mean in the context of literacy and social emotional learning? In this episode of READ, Dr. Rebecca Gotlieb explores the interconnectedness of literacy and social emotional learning and emphasizes the importance of viewing these two aspects of child development as coordinated and interdependent processes. In this episode, you will learn about the brain’s reading circuit and the multifaceted n...
Sep 04, 2024•49 min•Ep. 60
How should teachers understand text comprehension, and what are effective practices to facilitate comprehension, particularly for adolescents across all content areas? Letty Martinez, PhD discusses her research on supporting adolescents and multilingual students as they engage with and comprehend text. In this episode, you will learn about Comprehension through a multicomponent lens Challenges and opportunities for adolescent learners Effective instructional approaches that facilitate comprehens...
Aug 06, 2024•44 min•Ep. 59
This episode marks a special LEAD on READ episode with Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD). Dr. Rodriguez reflects on her leadership in education and advocacy, highlighting a lifelong learning journey. She shares NCLD’s vision to scale and expand advocacy efforts for people with learning disabilities in schools, professional spaces, and communities throughout their lives and across the world. In this episode, we discuss the following leadership i...
Jul 03, 2024•53 min•Ep. 58
Dr. Steve Graham, renowned expert in writing instruction, joins READ for a timely discussion on effective writing instruction, the reading-writing connection, and the role of technology and AI on writing education. In this episode, you will learn about approaches to reading and writing instruction through an integrated lens. considerations for instructional planning across content areas. multiple strategies for effective writing instruction. implications for assessing writing. expert insights on...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 57
Sara Hart, PhD, joins READ to discuss the role of genes and the environment on reading development and disabilities. Throughout her career, Dr. Hart has investigated child development through an interdisciplinary lens. In this episode, you will learn about Dr. Hart’s studies with twins to understand individual development in reading and math with the goal to inform approaches to education and equity. role as co-PI of The Learning Disabilities Translational Science Collective, focused on translat...
May 01, 2024•50 min•Ep. 56
Dr. Sarah Woulfin, an expert on leadership and school reform, joins the READ Podcast for a LEAD on READ conversation, co-hosted by Dr. Danielle Gomez and Jamie Williamson. Dr. Woulfin outlines effective actions of leaders to enact school reform and shares her expertise on how to sustain change in education. In this episode, you will learn about curriculum coherence, capacity building, and conditions for effective change. key actions of leaders that facilitate support for educational initiatives....
Apr 03, 2024•53 min•Ep. 55
Colby Hall, PhD, shares her research on reading and language from kindergarten through adolescence. Dr. Hall, an assistant professor at University of Virginia, discusses her vast research collaborations spanning across areas of literacy, age groups, and language, providing a window into the research process and offering implications for classroom practice. In this episode, you will learn about the findings from a pilot study involving an integrated reading, writing, and language intervention for...
Mar 06, 2024•52 min•Ep. 54
Neena Saha, PhD, joins READ for an illuminating and entrepreneurial discussion about translating research to practice. In this episode, Dr. Saha offers insights on shifting how educators interface with research through an entrepreneurial lens. integrating and broadening the role of technology in sharing research. developing a systematic and explicit approach to the translation of research to practice. Dr. Saha discusses opportunities and challenges for disseminating research more effectively and...
Feb 07, 2024•59 min•Ep. 53
Join READ host Dr. Danielle Gomez as she offers a perspective on reading research from translation to implementation. She synthesizes key insights from READ guests in 2023, highlights current research from the broader community, and forecasts opportunities and challenges for the future of implementation of research in practice. In this episode, you will learn about the benefits of translating research in education. current frameworks that seek to broaden and deepen our understanding of reading d...
Jan 03, 2024•23 min•Ep. 52
Amy Elleman, PhD, joins the READ Podcast to discuss the evidence supporting reading comprehension development and implications for effective instruction. This episode builds upon previous READ conversations in conceptualizing comprehension as an integration of skills. In this episode, you will learn about the components and processes of reading comprehension. research frameworks applicable for educators of students at any age. evidence-based practices to promote comprehension. interventions for ...
Dec 06, 2023•54 min•Ep. 51
Sonia Cabell, PhD, joins the READ Podcast for the 50th episode! In this conversation, Dr. Cabell and Danielle discuss the integrated and interdependent nature of reading, oral language, background knowledge, and writing. Dr. Cabell cites her research on content-rich instruction and offers numerous effective practices for classroom instruction. Educators, bring a pen and your plan book as Dr. Cabell offers insights and resources for immediate classroom application. Do you want to learn more from ...
Nov 01, 2023•51 min•Ep. 50
The Windward Institute and The Windward School are putting "Dyslexia in Focus" in recognition of Dyslexia Awareness Month. This month on READ, you will hear from four past READ experts on insights specific to dyslexia and topics related to screening and identification, education and intervention, and advocacy. This "Dyslexia in Focus" READ bookmark features Dr. Devin Kearns from Episode 5. In this bookmark, you will learn more about: pervasive myths about dyslexia facts about the signs and marke...
Oct 25, 2023•14 min
The Windward Institute and The Windward School are putting "Dyslexia in Focus" in recognition of Dyslexia Awareness Month. This month on READ, you will hear from four past READ experts on insights specific to dyslexia and topics related to screening and identification, education and intervention, and advocacy. This "Dyslexia in Focus" READ bookmark features Dr. Hugh Catts from Episode 18. In this bookmark, you will learn more about: markers of dyslexia current research examining the risks of rea...
Oct 18, 2023•20 min
The Windward Institute and The Windward School are putting "Dyslexia in Focus" in recognition of Dyslexia Awareness Month. This month on READ, you will hear from four past READ experts on insights specific to dyslexia and topics related to screening and identification, education and intervention, and advocacy. This "Dyslexia in Focus" READ bookmark features Dr. Carolyn Strom from Episode34. In this bookmark, you will learn about: the brain's neuroplasticity the reading process in the brain You c...
Oct 11, 2023•9 min
The Windward Institute and The Windward School are putting "Dyslexia in Focus" in recognition of Dyslexia Awareness Month. This month on READ, you will hear from four past READ experts on insights specific to dyslexia and topics related to screening and identification, education and intervention, and advocacy. This "Dyslexia in Focus" READ bookmark features Dr. Maryanne Wolf from Episode 21. In this bookmark, you will learn about: the story and the science of the reading brain. the effectiveness...
Oct 04, 2023•18 min
In this LEAD on READ episode, co-hosts Danielle Scorrano and Jamie Williamson interview Cheryl Cook, the executive director of The Association of LD Schools (ALDS). ALDS is a formal community for schools that educate students with learning differences like dyslexia. This episode invites READers to learn about the benefits of networking in education for building relationships, sharing resources, and inspiring each other. how collaboration fosters communities of advocacy in LD schools. Simply put,...
Oct 04, 2023•58 min•Ep. 49
The 2023 National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) report on elementary reading instruction demonstrates how little teacher preparation programs spend on building teacher skills to support English Language Learners. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan, EdD, joins READ to shares her expertise in integrating structured literacy with cultural and linguistic diversity to support English Language Learners. READ listeners will learn about the structure of the reading brain across languages. importance of vocabulary ...
Sep 06, 2023•56 min•Ep. 48
Yaacov Petscher, PhD, joins the READ Podcast to discuss whole child approaches to reading and child development, seeking to explore, “what works for whom under what conditions?” Dr. Petscher explains the role of research in testing ecological models and specific factors that may inform why children vary in their reading and language development. He specifically refers to his current work in understanding trauma and reading development, citing his Reach Every Reader study with Dr. Hugh Catts. Dr....
Aug 02, 2023•51 min•Ep. 47
In this special episode of LEAD on READ, Katie Pace Miles, PhD, discusses her leadership work at CUNY Reading Corps, which pairs high dose tutoring for students in NYC with training for pre-service graduate and undergraduate teachers in structured literacy programs. High dose tutoring has received a lot of attention in current research and popular press to target the needs of struggling readers. Dr. Miles explains this model of direct service and offers insights for program implementation, scala...
Jul 05, 2023•50 min•Ep. 46
Susan Neuman, EdD, joins the READ Podcast for a discussion on integrating rich content, background knowledge, and language into literacy instruction. She breaks down code-based and meaning-based reading skills and explains the importance of background knowledge, language, and vocabulary within a comprehensive lens of reading instruction. She discusses her work and passion for building literacy in communities through what she calls a “360 surround” approach to ensuring students have access to hig...
Jun 07, 2023•40 min•Ep. 45
