Today, we’ll speak with Denise Sherman, Curriculum and Instructional Specialist at Brainspring, about the importance of handwriting instruction for students, how handwriting helps develop important skills later in life, and what we risk losing if we cut back on handwriting instruction in schools. Brainspring’s Handwriting Program is LIVE! Order Now! https://brainspring.com/.../classroom-package.../ We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new handwriting program, designed to help stude...
Apr 29, 2025•20 min•Ep. 43
Today, we’ll speak with special guest Maryanne Wolf, a renowned scholar and director of UCLA’s Center for Dyslexia, about her research on the reading brain, how digital technologies are affecting our brains, and what we can do to prepare young children for an increasingly digital world. Subscribe to our newsletter! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/S9onxP7/brainspringnewsletter Email: podcast@brainspring.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrtonGillinghamTraining YouTube: https://www.you...
Mar 31, 2025•50 min•Ep. 42
Today, we’ll speak with Dr. Ryan Lee-James, a speech-language pathologist with expertise in reading disabilities, about her research on inequities in education, what we can do to improve literacy rates, and how we can make classroom environments more equitable. Dr. Lee-James recommends the following resources for families interested in advocating for their children: National Center for Improving Literacy ( https://www.improvingliteracy.org/index.html ) Cox Campus ( https://coxcampus.org/ ) Flori...
Jan 27, 2025•36 min•Ep. 41
Today, we're joined by Jordan Toma, an inspirational author who overcame multiple learning disabilities to become the number one youth motivational speaker and youth advocate in the United States. Watch the video version of this podcast here: https://youtu.be/C0vj72zCXEg #dyslexia #inspiration Subscribe to our newsletter! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/S9onxP7/brainspringnewsletter Email: podcast@brainspring.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrtonGillinghamTraining YouTube: https://...
Dec 09, 2024•52 min•Ep. 40
Today, we’ll speak with Krista Weltner, a gifted artist who overcame dyslexia and found success as an author, illustrator, puppet maker, stop-motion animator, filmmaker, costume designer, and comic book creator. Watch the video version of this podcast here: https://youtu.be/OpsG4Rl8k54 Also, be sure to check out Krista's wonderful short film Partially Compensated: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Dk1KAy16Fs Subscribe to our newsletter! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/S9onxP7/brainspringne...
Nov 14, 2024•27 min•Ep. 39
Today, we’ll speak with Brooke Steingold, a successful nurse with dyslexia and ADHD, about how she went from dropping out of high school to becoming a college graduate and an inspiration to her daughter. Subscribe to our newsletter! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/S9onxP7/brainspringnewsletter Email: podcast@brainspring.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrtonGillinghamTraining YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrainspringOrtonGillingham Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brainsprin...
Sep 13, 2024•43 min•Ep. 38
We’ll speak with Dr. Elena Forzani and Dr. Andrea Bien, two former elementary teachers and current professors at Boston University, about the importance of comprehension instruction and why students need to develop multiple skills to become good readers. Further reading: "A Focus on Phonics or Comprehension? What Reading Research Should Look Like in Practice" by Dr. Elena Forzani and Dr. Andrea Bien https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-a-focus-on-phonics-or-comprehension-what-reading...
Aug 01, 2024•49 min•Ep. 37
We’re joined by Deon Butler, a former tight end for the Detroit Lions, whose personal battle with dyslexia inspired him to start a new vocation as a motivational speaker and advocate for struggling readers. Subscribe to our newsletter! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/S9onxP7/brainspringnewsletter Email: podcast@brainspring.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrtonGillinghamTraining YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrainspringOrtonGillingham Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brainsp...
Jun 28, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 36
Today, we’re joined by special guest Dr. David Kilpatrick, a certified school psychologist, professor emeritus of psychology for the State University of New York College at Cortland, an avid researcher of learning disabilities, and author of several works on literacy. His seminal book, Equipped for Reading Success, has become an essential component of literacy curricula in programs across the country, and has helped thousands of students learn to read. Subscribe to our newsletter! https://lp.con...
May 08, 2024•58 min•Ep. 35
Today, we’ll speak with Micki Ray, Chief Academic Officer of the Kentucky Department of Education, about how her experience as a high school English teacher inspired her professional passion to help struggling readers. Then, we’ll hear about what the KDE is currently doing to improve literacy rates in Kentucky. Subscribe to our newsletter! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/S9onxP7/brainspringnewsletter Email: podcast@brainspring.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrtonGillinghamTraining...
Mar 04, 2024•32 min•Ep. 34
Today, we’ll hear from Carolee Dean, a speech-language pathologist, certified academic language therapist, and children’s author whose experiences working with dyslexic students led to a new career as an author of decodable books and educational resources. Check out Carolee's blog here: https://caroleedeanbooks.blogspot.com/ Subscribe to our newsletter! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/S9onxP7/brainspringnewsletter Email: podcast@brainspring.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrtonGill...
Feb 19, 2024•29 min•Ep. 33
Next from the IDA Conference, we'll hear from Nicki Winter, a dyslexia therapist and the creator of Brilliant Strengths, a strengths-based program designed to raise self-esteem and lower anxiety in students with dyslexia. Then, we'll introduce our Student of the Month for January 2024. Check out Brilliant Strengths here: https://www.brilliantstrengths.com/ Subscribe to our newsletter! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/S9onxP7/brainspringnewsletter Email: podcast@brainspring.com Facebook: ht...
Jan 23, 2024•30 min•Ep. 32
Today, we’ll hear from special guest Trevor Thomas, Superintendent for Heath City Schools in Heath, Ohio and the Superintendent Representative on the Ohio Dyslexia Committee, about how he and his team have worked to advance student literacy at all levels. Then, we’ll introduce our Student of the Month for December 2023. Subscribe to our newsletter! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/S9onxP7/brainspringnewsletter Email: podcast@brainspring.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrtonGillingha...
Dec 22, 2023•20 min•Ep. 31
Today, we’ll hear from special guest Marilyn Zecher, a Certified Academic Language Therapist, dyslexia specialist, and the creator of two graduate-level methods courses in Multisensory Mathematics. Subscribe to our newsletter! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/S9onxP7/brainspringnewsletter Email: podcast@brainspring.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrtonGillinghamTraining YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrainspringOrtonGillingham Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brainspringorton...
Nov 20, 2023•31 min•Ep. 30
Today, we'll hear from special guest Allison Peck, Chief Academic Officer at Neuhaus Education Center, about how advocating for her son led to a fulfilling career in education. Then, we'll introduce our very first Student of the Month. Subscribe to our newsletter! https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/S9onxP7/brainspringnewsletter Email: podcast@brainspring.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrtonGillinghamTraining YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrainspringOrtonGillingham Instagram: http...
Nov 02, 2023•32 min•Ep. 29
Hello and welcome back! This week, Katie and Esther discussed how parents can advocate for their children when they notice that they are having reading difficulties. But first, we wanted to talk about a current hot topic in educational news. According to an article written by Emily Peck for Axios, the wage gap between teachers and other professionals is the widest it has been since 1960. What are your thoughts on this? To access this article, refer to the link below and make sure to tell us what...
Oct 11, 2023•20 min•Ep. 28
Hello and welcome back! This week we are continuing our series called, “What’s YOUR Superpower? Superheroes with Dyslexia”. This week we have a very special guest. He is the Superintendent of Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) and has an impressive educational background despite having to deal with dyslexia himself. Please help us welcome, Dr. Nikolai Vitti! Dr. Nikolai Vitti is a native Metro Detroiter from an immigrant family who went on to pursue education first as a student, a...
Aug 07, 2023•49 min•Ep. 27
Hello and welcome back! Unfortunately, Katie couldn’t join us today due to being sick, but we are sending her well wishes and hoping she gets better soon! For today, we are excited to announce a new series we are launching called, What’s YOUR Superpower? Superheroes with Dyslexia. In this series, we will be highlighting people who have dyslexia or reading differences and asking them how it has shaped them into the people they are today and how it helped define their careers. Our superhero guest ...
Jun 26, 2023•40 min•Ep. 26
Hello and welcome back! On today’s episode of the Orton-Gillingham Podcast, Katie and Esther share tips on how to “spring forward” through springtime burnout that affects teachers and students. But first, we have a contest winner to announce! March was National Reading Month and Brainspring rolled out a contest for a chance for listeners to win a $500 donation to a library of their choosing. To enter, listeners were to comment on our Facebook contest post the book they are currently reading. Nam...
Apr 17, 2023•28 min•Ep. 25
Hello and welcome back! On today’s episode of the Orton-Gillingham Podcast, we are speaking with special guest Jeanine Cyrwus about Dyslexia in D.C. Jeanine has an M.Ed. in Special Education and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Education Leadership. She also has a Dyslexia Advocacy Certificate from the Dyslexia Training Institute. Jeanine has an impressive 20 years of experience in the field of Special Education, with her focus being on learning difficulties and dyslexia. Positions ...
Mar 06, 2023•45 min•Ep. 24
Hello and welcome back! On today’s episode of the Orton-Gillingham Podcast, we are taking the time to honor some prominent Black figures for Black History Month. We tasked Katie and Esther with providing three people they would like to talk about with their listeners. But first, today is Valentine’s Day! Did you know that Frederick Douglass’s birthday was on Valentine’s Day? Well, it was assumed to be his birthday because his mother used to call him, “my little valentine.” Frederick Douglass was...
Feb 14, 2023•28 min•Ep. 23
Hello and welcome back! On today’s episode, we are discussing a story that has been all the “buzz” in the education world. But first, Katie and Esther shared what they did for New Years and their New Year’s Resolutions. Also, make sure to stay clear of spilled salt, cracks in the cement, and black cats. It’s Friday the 13th! So, what is the “buzz” in the news? There’s a podcast out there that is grabbing the attention of educators everywhere. Emily Hanford’s podcast, Sold a Story, addresses the ...
Jan 13, 2023•28 min•Ep. 22
Hello and welcome back! On today’s episode, we are talking all about the Science of Reading. But before we get to that, we talk briefly about the “Queen of Halloween” contest, and Katie and Esther share their favorite books in honor of Author’s Day, which was on November 1st. Katie: Roald Dahl (She also likes the book, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls) Esther: EM Forster, who wrote A Room With a View And we also have a contest winner to announce! Congrats to Ryan for guessing our Mystery Woma...
Nov 28, 2022•39 min•Ep. 21
Hello and Happy Halloween! Today our hosts came prepared with their Halloween costumes to discuss their plans for this spooky season. Katie came dressed as the Grammar Police; a costume inspired by Esther because she does NOT like bad grammar. Esther has arrived in her spookiest witch getup! Katie loves Halloween and scary movies, but you won’t be catching her in any haunted houses! Esther explored a spooky trail filled with jump scares and lots of screams to be heard. To start off our Halloween...
Oct 24, 2022•24 min•Ep. 20
Hello and welcome back! In today’s episode, our hosts are talking all about dyslexia, in honor of October being Dyslexia Awareness Month. Before getting into the topic, Katie and Esther announce the “Funniest Back to School Story” contest winner. Congrats to Shannon! Shannon won a Free Self-Paced Refresher course and a $50 gift card to the Brainspring store. Our hosts also shared an honorable mention from Kim. Thank you both for listening and submitting your stories! Next, Katie and Esther talk ...
Oct 15, 2022•21 min•Ep. 19
Hello and welcome back! On this episode, our hosts are speaking with homeschooling expert, Laura Seymore, about her experience teaching her kids at home and how exactly she did it. But first, “Talk like a Pirate Day” is September 19th and Katie and Esther share their best pirate accents and jokes! Joke #1: Why does it take a pirate so long to learn the alphabet? They spend years at “C”! Joke #2: What does the pirate say when his leg gets stuck in the freezer? Shiver me timber! Background on Laur...
Sep 26, 2022•40 min•Ep. 18
Welcome Back! - Show Notes The Orton-Gillingham Podcast is back after a hiatus just in time to start the new school year! Katie and Esther reintroduce themselves by sharing three fun facts about each other. Three things Esther shared about Katie: She is a compassionate educator of the deaf She is a great leader (and mom!) She is freakishly organized… And always uses a pencil when writing notes (for easy editing!) Three things Katie shared about Esther: Esther laughs at everything She has a huge ...
Aug 22, 2022•24 min•Ep. 17
In this episode, Esther and Katie discuss ways parents can turn practicing literacy skills into playing with their kids over holiday breaks! ----- Head to our website ( www.brainspring.com ) to learn more about bringing the Orton-Gillingham approach to your school or district.
Nov 23, 2021•16 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Today we’re joined by Isabella Martin, a Broadcast Journalism student at Michigan State University and Brainspring’s Marketing and Editorial Intern. Isabella is passionate about multisensory education because she has Dyscalculia and ADHD. She joins us to share her perspective as a student with a learning difference. ----- Head to our website ( www.brainspring.com ) to learn more about bringing the Orton-Gillingham approach to your school or district....
Sep 21, 2021•28 min•Season 1Ep. 15
In this episode, Elizabeth Coller from the Kinderhearted Classroom joins us. Elizabeth has taught at the elementary and high school levels and is currently teaches kindergarten at a private Christian school in California. She is here to chat with us about social-emotional learning and student relationships. --- Head to our website ( www.brainspring.com ) to learn more about bringing the Orton-Gillingham approach to your school or district!...
Aug 10, 2021•35 min•Season 1Ep. 14
