The Science of Reading Formula

It was a pleasure being a guest on your show! You are a wonderful host and ask thoughtful questions, making a lot of information in this literacy realm really accessible for educators! Sending all the kudos!

As a seasoned kindergarten teacher who began my Science of Reading (SoR) journey just a year ago, I’m always searching for resources that are both practical and research-aligned. This podcast on decodables vs. leveled readers was exactly what I needed — and I can’t recommend it highly enough to fellow K-2 educators. What made this episode stand out was how easy it was to understand while still tackling essential, research-based information. The host, Malia, laid out the pros and cons of both decodables and leveled readers, providing context for why one may better support foundational reading skills in early literacy classrooms. I especially appreciated how the podcast offered immediately usable tips and takeaways. It wasn’t just theory — it gave me ideas I could implement in my classroom the very next day. The information felt relevant, actionable, and tailored to the real challenges we face in K-2 classrooms. For any teacher navigating the transition to SoR-aligned practices, this podcast is a friendly, supportive, and informative guide. It’s perfect for educators at any stage in their learning, but particularly for those just beginning to rethink their literacy instruction. I’ll definitely be revisiting this one and recommending it to others!

This content is long overdue to support teachers so kudos Malia. As an educator & parent of a child with hearing loss I LOVED this episode. The content is spot on and can really elevate your game to reach more students’ academic goals. We are seeing more students with hearing loss in the regular classroom. They can find more success academically with a few extra modifications from their teacher. Bonus points as the modifications will aid all students. AND it really isn’t that difficult. You need some basic awareness and remember your student will be fairly well versed in what works in the classroom if they have utilized classroom accommodations prior to 2nd grade.

I am the parent of 2 early elementary aged students. Outside of homeschooling my oldest for kindergarten (and inevitably and simultaneously pre-k for my youngest 😵‍💫), I am FAR from being an educator of any kind. With a BA in graphic design and visual communication, I have always been passionate about making personalized resources for my kids even if they just want a particular coloring page. Since finding Malia, I have not only been able to add real educational value to my home worksheets and play, I am even able to provide my children’s teachers and classrooms with valuable resources as well! It takes a village, and being an informed and involved parent can and should always involve supporting school learning at home, and understanding the teaching side of things can be a game changer. Plus Malia is so positive and uplifting, it’s hard not to be in a great mood filled with motivation after listening to her podcasts!