Podcast: Literacy in Color

63. The Power of Parent Advocacy with Melanie Brethour, Soar with Dyslexia (Dyslexia Awareness Month)

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, and every Friday Michelle is highlighting voices who are changing the landscape for students with dyslexia and their families. In this episode, Michelle sits down with Melanie Brethour, a Montreal-based resource teacher, founder of Decoding Dyslexia Quebec, and the voice behind Soar With Dyslexia. Inspired by her son’s journey with…

62. The Science of Learning: What Every Teacher Needs to Know with Dr. Shane Saeed

How does the brain actually learn or remember something new? In this fascinating episode of Literacy in Color, Dr. Shane Saeed joins Michelle to break down the Science of Learning in a way that’s simple, practical, and classroom-ready. Shane is an Elementary ELA Curriculum Coordinator, national presenter, and author who has spent years helping teachers…

61. From Screening to Support: Coaching Teachers to Reach Every Learner with Jean Peake (Dyslexia Awareness Month)

In this Dyslexia Awareness Month bonus episode of Literacy in Color, I’m joined by Jean Peake, Lower School Literacy Specialist and Orton-Gillingham Practitioner. Jean shares about the importance of early screening, diagnostic assessments, and data-driven interventions – especially for those with dyslexia. Jean’s insights are both practical and heart-centered, reminding us that literacy work is…

59. Teaching Beyond the Diagnosis with Casey Harrison, The Dyslexia Classroom (Dyslexia Awareness Month)

What does it really mean to teach beyond the diagnosis? In this inspiring Dyslexia Awareness Month conversation, I sit down with Casey Harrison—Licensed Dyslexia Therapist, Certified Academic Language Therapist, and founder of The Dyslexia Classroom®—to unpack how we can meet the academic needs of students with dyslexia and nurture their confidence, self-understanding, and advocacy skills….

58. Teaching Phonemic Awareness: A Guide for Educators with Dr. Jane Ashby

Phonemic awareness (PA) interestingly is one of the most debated areas of literacy instruction. Should it be taught with letters, without letters, or both? Which tasks matter most? And how much is enough? In this episode of Literacy in Color, Michelle sits down with Dr. Jane Ashby, professor, researcher, and first author of Teaching Phonemic…

57. What Does Dyslexia Really Look Like – and What Can We Do About It? with Heather O’Donnell, New Paltz Multisensory Tutoring (Dyslexia Awareness Month)

We’re kicking off Dyslexia Awareness Month with a conversation that every educator and parent needs to hear: what does dyslexia really look like – and what can we do about it?  In this episode of Literacy in Color, I sit down with Heather O’Donnell, founder of New Paltz Multisensory Tutoring, Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner, and Associate-level…

56. Coaching Outside the Box: Creative Ways to Support Teacher Growth with Christina DeCarbo (Literacy Coaching Conversations)

In this Coaching Conversation, I sit down with Christina DeCarbo, a Pre-K–5 literacy coach, teacher, national presenter, and curriculum author from Northeast Ohio. Christina is also known as Miss DeCarbo, and her work is fueled by a passion for making professional learning engaging, joyful, and practical. Christina shares her journey from first-grade teacher to literacy…