Grit and Grace: A literacy Journey

Grit and Grace
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Welcome to Grit & Grace: A Literacy Journey — the podcast for educators, leaders, and lifelong learners who are passionate about making a difference in literacy. This is your space to explore what it truly takes to lead and learn with purpose. Each episode, we’ll dive into real stories, practical strategies, and inspiring conversations that reflect the grit it takes to tackle the challenges of literacy, and the grace needed to grow through them. Whether you're in the classroom, leading a school, or supporting a system, Grit & Grace is here to empower you on your literacy journey — one step,

  1. 2d ago

    Episode 35: How Bout We Just TEACH Them?! The Power of Explicit Instruction

    How Bout We Just TEACH Them?! The Power of Explicit Instruction What if the answer to improving student learning isn't another new teaching trend, another instructional debate, or another curriculum shift? What if the answer has been right in front of us all along? In Episode 35 of Grit and Grace: A Literacy Journey, Angela Hanlin and Gretchen Goettl take a deep dive into the power of explicit instruction and why it must be at the heart of effective literacy teaching. Drawing from the research article Explicit Instruction as the Essential Tool for Executing the Science of Reading, by Dr. Sharon Vaughn and Dr. Jack Fletcher, Angela and Gretchen explore why evidence-based practices matter, why educators must move beyond simply understanding the research, and why it's time to put that knowledge into practice. The conversation challenges the recurring debates in education and reminds us that the science behind how students learn isn't something we need to reinvent every decade. We need to understand it, embrace it, and implement it. Together, they unpack the essential elements of explicit instruction, including: Breaking complex skills into smaller, manageable steps. Using modeling and think-alouds to make learning visible. Promoting successful student engagement through appropriate prompts and faded supports. Providing meaningful and timely feedback. Creating purposeful opportunities for practice. Angela and Gretchen also discuss the importance of thoughtful lesson design and delivery, maintaining an appropriate instructional pace, avoiding excessive teacher talk, and ensuring students have frequent opportunities to respond. They address common misconceptions about explicit instruction, including the belief that it limits teacher judgment or requires following one particular scope and sequence. They emphasize that effective instruction requires intentional planning, professional knowledge, and responsiveness to students' learning needs. Most importantly, this episode highlights how explicit instruction makes learning more accessible, builds students' confidence when tackling challenging tasks, and produces more impactful learning outcomes. Its benefits are particularly important for students with attention and learning difficulties. Angela and Gretchen leave educators, interventionists, special education teachers, and school leaders with a powerful reminder: It's okay not to know. It's not okay not to learn. But once you know, you have to implement. The research is there. The evidence is there. Now it's time to act. Because all students can learn, all teachers can become effective, and all schools can create successful learning environments when they follow the science. Why don't we just do that? Research Article Discussed Explicit Instruction as the Essential Tool for Executing the Science of Reading Authors: Dr. Sharon Vaughn and Dr. Jack Fletcher Read the article here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9004595/?utm_source=chatgpt.com In This Episode, We Discuss: -Why education continues to revisit the same instructional debates. -The connection between explicit instruction and the Science of Reading. -The five essential elements of explicit instruction. -The importance of lesson design and instructional delivery. -Why modeling and guided practice should never be rushed. -Creating meaningful student engagement and purposeful practice. -The role of teacher judgment and responsiveness. -Why explicit instruction is especially important for struggling learners. -Moving beyond professional learning and putting research into practice. -Why educators and school leaders must remain committed to evidence-based practices. The Takeaway: Stop chasing instructional trends. Follow the evidence. Make explicit instruction and evidence-based practices your home, and give every student the opportunity to succeed.

  2. Oct 20

    Episode 34: You Taught It. But Did They Learn It?

    Hosts: Angela Hanlin and Gretchen Goettl A lesson can be well planned, students can participate, and every activity can be completed—yet learning may still not have happened. In this episode of Grit & Grace: A Literacy Journey, Angela Hanlin and Gretchen Goettl explore how educators can move beyond delivering instruction to determining whether students have truly learned. Through practical examples from literacy and mathematics, they discuss the importance of clear learning intentions, explicit modeling, frequent checks for understanding, and using student responses to guide instructional decisions. They also unpack the realities of teaching, including pacing pressures, limited instructional time, and the challenge of deciding when to move forward and when to reteach. In This Episode - Why teaching and learning are not the same - Making learning intentions and success criteria clear - Modeling what successful work looks like - Checking every student's understanding - Responding to misconceptions in real time - Changing instructional support without lowering expectations - Identifying prerequisite skill gaps - Understanding reteaching versus repeating - Using exit tickets and reflection to plan next steps - Review versus retrieval practice Angela and Gretchen share a practical routine educators can use throughout their lessons: Teach it. Check it. Respond. The goal is not to make instruction longer or more complicated. It is to use evidence of student understanding to make better instructional decisions. Because the most important question isn't whether we covered the content. It's whether our students learned it—and what we will do when they need more support. #GritAndGrace #ALiteracyJourney #StudentLearning #ExplicitInstruction #ScienceOfLearning #LiteracyInstruction #EvidenceAlignedInstruction #Education #TeacherReflection

  3. Oct 6

    Episode 33: From Conference to Classroom: Lessons from The Reading League

    Hosts: Angela Hanlin & Gretchen Goettl Episode Description What happens when the research we learn at literacy conferences becomes meaningful change in the classroom? Welcome to Episode 33 of Grit & Grace: A Literacy Journey, where hosts Angela Hanlin and Gretchen Goettl explore the importance of turning literacy knowledge into effective instructional practice. Inspired by the work and conversations surrounding The Reading League, this episode focuses on the ongoing journey from understanding the science of reading to implementing evidence-based practices that help students become successful readers. Literacy conferences can spark new ideas, challenge long-held assumptions, and deepen our understanding of how children learn to read. But the real work begins when educators return to their schools and translate that learning into daily instruction. How do we move beyond simply knowing what the research says? How do we ensure that professional learning leads to meaningful changes in teaching? And how can school leaders support educators as they put evidence-based practices into action? Through the Grit & Grace lens, this conversation highlights the importance of continuous learning, thoughtful implementation, instructional leadership, and a shared commitment to ensuring every student receives the instruction they need. In This Episode, We Explore Lessons and insights from The Reading League and the literacy community. Moving from professional learning to meaningful classroom implementation. Why understanding the science of reading is only the beginning. The importance of evidence-based reading instruction. How educators can turn research into practical teaching strategies. The role of instructional leadership in supporting lasting change. Why collaboration and ongoing professional learning matter. The commitment to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to become a successful reader. From Knowing to Doing Learning about effective literacy instruction is an important first step, but knowledge alone does not guarantee better outcomes for students. Sustainable change requires intentional planning, consistent implementation, ongoing support, and a willingness to reflect on instructional practices. The challenge for educators and leaders is to take what they learn, put it into practice, and continually evaluate whether their instruction is meeting students' needs. The Grit & Grace Commitment At the heart of Grit & Grace: A Literacy Journey is a belief that all students can learn to read, all teachers can become highly effective, and all leaders can grow into strong instructional leaders. Turning research into practice takes grit, collaboration, and the grace to keep learning along the way. Listen and Learn Join Angela Hanlin and Gretchen Goettl for Episode 33 of Grit & Grace: A Literacy Journey. Share this episode with fellow educators, literacy coaches, school leaders, and everyone committed to improving reading outcomes for all students. Because knowing matters. Doing makes the difference. And all means all. #GritAndGrace #ALiteracyJourney #TheReadingLeague #ScienceOfReading #LiteracyEducation #EvidenceBasedInstruction #ReadingInstruction #StructuredLiteracy #LiteracyLeadership #ProfessionalLearning #InstructionalLeadership #LiteracyImplementation #ReadingSuccess #LiteracyForAll #AllMeansAll

  4. Sep 15

    Episode 32: Spelling Is More Than Memorization: What Effective Instruction Really Looks Like

    Host: Angela Hanlin Guest: Dr. Pam Kastner What if a spelling error isn't simply a mistake—but evidence of what a student knows about language? In this episode of Grit & Grace: A Literacy Journey, Angela Hanlin sits down with literacy expert Dr. Pam Kastner for an in-depth conversation about spelling instruction, why spelling matters for reading, and what effective, evidence-aligned spelling instruction should actually look and sound like in the classroom. Dr. Kastner explains why traditional approaches—such as assigning a list of words on Monday, practicing them throughout the week, and testing them on Friday—may not create the lasting learning we want. Instead, effective spelling instruction should help students uncover the structure and logic of language and apply that knowledge beyond the words they were explicitly taught. In this episode, Angela and Pam discuss: 🔹 Why spelling is a diagnostic tool for understanding student learning 🔹 How spelling and reading draw on shared language systems but involve different processes 🔹 The difference between reading as recognition and spelling as recall and retrieval 🔹 Phonology, orthography, morphology, and meaning—and why they need to be integrated 🔹 Why Pam emphasizes: “Integrate, don't isolate.” 🔹 How spelling errors can reveal what students still need to learn 🔹 Why spelling inventories can provide valuable instructional information 🔹 How teachers can use error patterns to plan whole-group and small-group instruction 🔹 What strong spelling instruction should look like and sound like 🔹 Why morphology deserves a stronger place in spelling instruction 🔹 How instruction can help students move from accuracy and fluency toward transfer and application 🔹 Why teachers need ongoing, job-embedded professional learning 🔹 How school leaders can identify effective spelling instruction through classroom “look-fors” One powerful takeaway: “A spelling error is evidence of my next instructional move.” — Dr. Pam Kastner Rather than simply marking a spelling word right or wrong, what can the error tell us about the student's understanding of phonology, orthography, morphology, or meaning? That's where spelling becomes much more than memorization. For Educators If you weren't taught spelling this way, this episode is also a reminder that teachers are learners, too. Pam encourages educators to continue building their knowledge of language, use spelling inventories, analyze patterns, collaborate with colleagues, and use what they discover to guide instruction. 📚 Pam also shares several books, researchers, and resources during the conversation, which will be included in the episode resources. 💬 What is one spelling practice you would rethink after listening to this conversation? Share your thoughts in the comments. And if this conversation would benefit another teacher, literacy coach, reading specialist, or school leader, share this episode with them. #GritAndGrace #Literacy #LiteracyInstruction #SpellingInstruction #ScienceOfReading #ReadingScience #StructuredLiteracy #Phonology #Orthography #Morphology #TeacherProfessionalDevelopment #LiteracyLeaders

  5. Sep 1

    Episode 31: More Than Reading: A Family’s Journey Through Dyslexia

    In this deeply personal episode, hosts Angela Hanlin and Gretchen Goettl welcome Chad and Sarah Jamerson to share their family's journey through their daughter Isla's experience with dyslexia. From the earliest signs of reading difficulty in kindergarten to the emotional impact of seeing their daughter struggle, Chad and Sarah offer an honest look at what families experience when a child is having difficulty learning to read. They talk about the assumptions parents and educators can make, the importance of recognizing reading difficulties early, the need for effective instruction, and the importance of advocating for children without lowering expectations for them. One of the most powerful messages in this episode is simple: A child's struggle with reading does not define their intelligence, potential, or future. This conversation reminds us that children with dyslexia need more than encouragement. They need understanding, advocacy, appropriate instruction, and adults who believe they can succeed. ❤️ More than reading, this is a story about family, perseverance, advocacy, and hope. Because all means all. And when it comes to dyslexia, there is hope. 🎙️ Hosts: Angela Hanlin & Gretchen Goettl 👨‍👩‍👧 Guests: Chad & Sarah Jamerson #GritAndGrace #ALiteracyJourney #Dyslexia #DyslexiaAwareness #DyslexiaAdvocacy #ScienceOfReading #Literacy #ReadingInstruction #ParentAdvocacy #AllMeansAll #EveryChildCanLearn #LiteracyForAll #ReadingMatters #HopeInEducation

  6. Aug 18

    Episode 30: From Struggle to Strength: Diane Lyon's Story

    What if your greatest struggle became the reason you fought for thousands of other children? In Episode 30 of Grit & Grace: A Literacy Journey, Angela Hanlin welcomes Diane Lyon for a deeply personal conversation about dyslexia, advocacy, resilience, and hope. Diane shares her experience growing up struggling to read and the shame, anxiety, and isolation that accompanied it. Years later, she watched her son experience many of the same challenges—and made a decision that changed the course of both their lives. Diane refused to accept that her son's struggles were simply something he had to live with. She advocated, searched for answers, pursued effective instruction, and ultimately witnessed a remarkable transformation when he received the instruction he needed. But Diane's journey didn't stop with her son. His experience became the catalyst for a much larger mission: helping schools, educators, parents, leaders, and communities understand dyslexia and the importance of evidence-based reading instruction. In this powerful conversation, Diane and Angie discuss: 📚 Growing up with dyslexia💔 The emotional impact of struggling to read👩‍👦 Diane's journey advocating for her son📊 Why data and effective instruction matter🏫 The importance of aligned instruction across tiers❤️ Preserving the dignity of struggling readers💡 The power educators have to change lives🌱 Turning personal struggle into advocacy✨ Why there is still hope Diane's final message says it all: "It is possible. Don't give up. It is possible." If you're a parent, teacher, school leader, literacy coach, or anyone who cares about children learning to read, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear that there is hope. #GritAndGracePodcast #DianeLyon #AngelaHanlin #Dyslexia #ScienceOfReading #DyslexiaAwareness #LiteracyLeadership #ReadingInstruction #StructuredLiteracy #EveryChildCanLearn #LiteracyAdvocacy #ReadingSuccess #EducationPodcast #TeacherSupport #LiteracyMatters

  7. Aug 4

    Episode 29: The Students Who Changed Us – Our Journey into Dyslexia

    Hosts: Angela Hanlin & Gretchen Goettl Every educator has students they never forget. In Episode 29 of Grit & Grace: A Literacy Journey, Angela Hanlin and Gretchen Goettl share the deeply personal stories that launched their journey into understanding dyslexia and transformed the way they think about reading instruction. This heartfelt conversation explores how struggling readers became their greatest teachers, leading them toward evidence-based practices and a renewed commitment to ensuring every child has the opportunity to become a successful reader. If you've ever wondered what inspired Angie and Gretchen's passion for literacy, this episode tells that story. In this episode: ✔ The students who changed everything ✔ Understanding dyslexia through experience ✔ Lessons learned from struggling readers ✔ The importance of evidence-based instruction ✔ Why every child deserves hope ✔ Building better literacy practices Whether you're an educator, school leader, parent, or literacy advocate, this episode is a powerful reminder that one student's journey can transform an entire career. Subscribe for more conversations about literacy, leadership, and the Science of Reading. #GritAndGracePodcast #ScienceOfReading #Dyslexia #ReadingInstruction #LiteracyLeadership #Teachers #EducationPodcast #StructuredLiteracy #TeacherLife #ReadingSuccess #EducationLeadership #EveryChildCanLearn

  8. Jul 21

    Episode 28: There Is Hope: Conquering Dyslexia

    Hosts: Angela Hanlin & Gretchen Goettl Guest: Dr. Jan Hasbrouck One of our most requested guests is back! Following her most-listened-to episode on reading fluency, Dr. Jan Hasbrouck returns to Grit & Grace: A Literacy Journey to discuss one of the most important topics in education: dyslexia. Together, Angela Hanlin and Gretchen Goettl explore how educators and families can better understand dyslexia, recognize the importance of evidence-based instruction, and most importantly, hold on to hope. Whether you're a classroom teacher, interventionist, school leader, or parent, this episode provides practical guidance, research-based insights, and encouragement for supporting struggling readers. In this episode: ✔ Understanding dyslexia ✔ Evidence-based reading instruction ✔ Supporting struggling readers ✔ Hope for families ✔ Practical classroom strategies ✔ Building confident readers If you believe every child deserves the opportunity to become a successful reader, this episode is for you. Subscribe for more conversations on literacy, leadership, and the Science of Reading. #GritAndGracePodcast #JanHasbrouck #ConqueringDyslexia #ScienceOfReading #DyslexiaAwareness #ReadingInstruction #LiteracyLeadership #StructuredLiteracy #Teachers #Parents #EducationPodcast #ReadingSuccess

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Welcome to Grit & Grace: A Literacy Journey — the podcast for educators, leaders, and lifelong learners who are passionate about making a difference in literacy. This is your space to explore what it truly takes to lead and learn with purpose. Each episode, we’ll dive into real stories, practical strategies, and inspiring conversations that reflect the grit it takes to tackle the challenges of literacy, and the grace needed to grow through them. Whether you're in the classroom, leading a school, or supporting a system, Grit & Grace is here to empower you on your literacy journey — one step,

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