Jennifer A. Constantine and Kara B. Lee are two educators with deep experience in assessment, Orton-Gillingham-based instruction, and dyslexia intervention — yet it wasn’t until they encountered SWI that many long-standing questions about English spelling, meaning, and structure finally clicked into place. In this episode, we unpack what Structured Word Inquiry actually is, how it…
If you’ve ever said that “English is crazy,” this episode is for you. I’m joined by Dr. Peter Bowers, researcher, educator, and founder of Structured Word Inquiry (SWI). His work has shaped how educators understand the English writing system: not as chaotic or exception-ridden, but as a coherent, meaning-driven system. Dr. Bowers shares the personal…
Michelle Sullivan is joined by her co-founder of Logos Literacy Academy, Sarah Paul, for a deep dive into K–2 morphology through a base-centered lens. Together, they unpack a question teachers hear all the time: “Morphology is important… but isn’t that for later?” Michelle and Sarah explain why morphology does not start with Greek and Latin…
Returning guest Fiona Hamilton, an international literacy consultant and founder of Word Torque, unites with her partners Lauren Hateley-Crowe and Angela Brienza – the team behind Engage with the Page and Search Engage. Together, they help teachers bring meaningful, joyful word inquiry into their daily read-alouds. Together, they unpack how their collaboration began, why picture…
Artificial intelligence is everywhere – but what does it actually mean for structured literacy and foundational skills instruction? In this episode, I sit down with Viv Ramakrishnan, co-founder of Project Read AI, to unpack what educators truly need to understand about AI, large language models, and how thoughtfully designed technology can support (not replace) teachers….
Holiday Word Study: Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa In this cozy, end-of-year episode, we’re slowing things down for a short and joyful holiday word study investigation. Instead of a full instructional deep dive, this episode invites you to get curious about three words we hear everywhere this time of year: Christmas Hanukkah Kwanzaa Together, we explore…
In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Jennifer Throndsen, author of Raising Up Readers: 25 Scaffolding Strategies to Help Students Access Challenging Texts, breaks down what it really takes to accelerate reading achievement for all learners, including multilingual students and those reading multiple years below grade level. Drawing from decades of experience across classroom, district, and state…
In today’s episode of Literacy in Color, we’re chatting with Ashley Doty, founder of Uncomplicate Ed, an organization dedicated to making teaching and learning clearer, simpler, and more effective. Drawing on two decades of experience across the education landscape (and even a past life as a theater educator!), Ashley brings both heart and science to…
In this powerful and deeply moving episode, Michelle welcomes Hilderbrand Pelzer III — award-winning principal, author of Unlocking Potential, national speaker, and a transformational leader whose work inside one of the largest jail systems in America has reshaped conversations about literacy, justice, and hope. Michelle heard Hilderbrand as a keynote speaker at The Reading League…
In this solo episode, we take an honest, unflinching look at what are traditionally called Kindergarten Reading Levels: Guided Reading Levels A, B, C, and D — and why these levels do not reflect how children actually learn to read. If you’re a kindergarten teacher, literacy coach, interventionist, or a parent of a beginning reader,…