A monthly podcast about literacy instruction and school leadership readbyexample.substack.com
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👋Hi, it’s Matt. This week, I spoke with Jen Schwanke, former principal, current deputy superintendent, and author of Trusted . (Full subscribers can watch the video of our conversation below.) Enjoy! Also, my feedback survey closes soon. If you have a few minutes to spare, I’d love to know more about your experience here. Take care, -Matt Jen Schwanke has spent her career inside schools as a…
The science of reading has made real progress in how schools think about decoding and language comprehension. But for a significant number of struggling readers, those two buckets don’t explain what’s getting in the way. Dr. Kelly Cartwright, Spangler Distinguished Professor of Early Child Literacy at UNC Charlotte , has spent her career mapping the territory other reading models leave out —…
In this 45-minute presentation, I walk through five beliefs about the science of reading. The intent is to spark curiosity and encourage conversation. Watch this presentation in tandem with my free eBook What School Leaders Need to Know About the Science of Reading . Use these resources as a starting point for holding much-needed discussions in your school around effective literacy instruction. If…
Listen to my conversation with Penny Kittle, author of Micro Mentor Texts: Using Short Passages From Great Books to Teach Writer’s Craft (Scholastic, 2022). This will be our book club selection for January - March 2026. Join the chat below. Full subscribers can also access the video recording of our conversation here . See a preview below. Brief Bio * Penny is a long time teacher at every level of…
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit readbyexample.substack.com This video recording is an exclusive benefit for paid subscribers to Read by Example. Thank you for your support! You can use this content in a variety of ways: * Watch it by yourself or with colleagues, and use this conversation guide to engage in your own conversation, reflection, and learning around the…
In this episode of “Read by Example,” I sat down with educators and authors Joe Schmidt and Nichelle Pinkney to discuss their influential book, Civil Discourse: Classroom Conversations for Stronger Communities (Corwin, 2022). They explore the urgent need for structured, empathetic dialogue in K-12 classrooms, especially in today’s politically charged environment. Drawing from their extensive…
In this video demonstration, I share key journaling tools - simple tracking tools and intentions for success - to start my month. The ultimate goal is improving outcomes for teachers and students. That includes a sense of well-being, not just achievement. When others feel supported and successful, so do I as a coach and a leader. A written explanation is also available below if you prefer to read…
Matt speaks with Regie Routman, longtime educator and author of many books, including The Heart-Centered Teacher , for the inaugural episode of Literacy Unscripted . This podcast series challenges traditional approaches to literacy teaching and leadership. In this professional conversation, Regie and Matt explore the meaning of belonging in schools, the impact of a single teacher, and the crucial…
In this launch episode, host Matt explores the tension between literacy mandates and the messy reality of school leadership and teaching. Drawing from his experience as a principal and systems coach, Matt introduces the concept of "scripts" in education—from literacy curriculum programs to unwritten cultural rules—and examines how they can both support and constrain professional judgment. Matt…
Happy Monday! This week’s focus is on being a noticer vs. a judger during classroom visits. 📚 PROFESSIONAL STRATEGY When informally observing classroom instruction, shift from judging to noticing. Start by acknowledging what you see and hear without evaluation: "I'm noticing..." rather than "This is good/bad..." Naming our observations keeps them at an objective level; noticing activates the…
