EDVIEW360

Middle school is a pivotal moment in a student’s literacy journey—yet it’s also the stage where unfinished learning can hide in plain sight. During this episode of EDVIEW360, we sit down with veteran educator and author Jeanne Schopf for a powerful conversation about what it truly takes to support struggling readers in grades 6–8.
With decades of experience helping middle school students rebuild foundational skills, Schopf brings a refreshingly honest and deeply practical perspective. She shares why intervention at this age is both urgent and entirely possible, how teachers can create momentum from day one, and what she’s learned about meeting adolescents where they are—academically, socially, and emotionally.
Listeners will learn:
Why middle school readers often mask their struggles—and how to spot the signs early
How to build intervention routines that respect adolescent learners
What successful literacy support looks like in the first weeks of school
How to create a culture where students feel safe taking risks and rebuilding skills
Practical strategies educators can use immediately to set students up for a strong year
As educators head into a new school year, Schopf offers encouragement, clarity, and actionable steps for teachers determined to make a difference. Whether you’re a reading specialist, interventionist, or classroom teacher, this episode will equip you with the insight and inspiration you need to help every middle school reader move forward with confidence.
Tune in—and start the year ready to change lives.

During this energizing EDVIEW360 episode, we welcome Michelle Sullivan—literacy coach, reading interventionist, and creator of The Colorful Classroom—for a conversation about what it truly takes to make evidence‑based literacy instruction engaging, meaningful, and human.
Drawing on more than a decade of experience supporting teachers and her signature COLORFUL philosophy, Sullivan shares how educators can bring both joy and rigor to the science of reading. She discusses why engagement is not an “extra,” how intentional use of language and design can deepen learning, and why morphology deserves a bigger place in everyday instruction. Sullivan also offers practical examples teachers can immediately use to help students connect with words, build knowledge, and feel successful as readers.
Listeners will hear Sullivan’s belief that literacy instruction should be vibrant, accessible, and rooted in research—and when educators blend the art and science of teaching, they create classrooms where every learner can thrive.
This conversation is perfect for teachers, literacy coaches, and leaders seeking to elevate instruction, strengthen student engagement, and bring more color—literally and figuratively—into their reading block.
What You Will Learn:
How to bring joy and engagement back into literacy instruction using Sullivan’s COLORFUL approach to instruction along with her blend of creativity and evidence‑based practice
Why language-rich classrooms accelerate reading growth, and how teachers can intentionally build vocabulary, background knowledge, and discourse into daily routines
The power of morphology—and why teaching word parts helps all students, especially those who struggle, unlock meaning and confidence
Practical ways to design lessons that are both structured and vibrant, ensuring students experience success while staying deeply engaged
How to connect research to real classroom moments, making the science of reading feel doable, human, and energizing for teachers
Strategies for supporting diverse learners through routines that honor students’ voices, build independence, and create a sense of belonging
Why engagement is not an “extra” but a critical component of effective literacy instruction that strengthens attention, memory, and motivation

Award-winning actor, author, and nationally recognized dyslexia advocate Ameer Baraka joins EDVIEW360 for a powerful conversation about the life-changing impact of literacy, identity, and second chances. Diagnosed with dyslexia in his mid-20s while incarcerated, Baraka’s journey from illiteracy to Emmy-nominated actor and global advocate is a testament to the transformative power of education and the educators who refuse to let students slip through the cracks.
During this inspiring episode, Baraka reflects on the years he spent struggling in school without anyone recognizing his learning difference and how that silence shaped the trajectory of his youth. He shares the moment he finally received a diagnosis, the educators who helped him reclaim his confidence, and why he now dedicates his life to ensuring no child—especially those in underserved communities—goes unnoticed or unsupported.
You will hear Baraka’s insights about:
How early, accurate identification of dyslexia can change a child’s life
Why students who act out or disengage may be communicating an academic struggle
What teachers can do to create safe, empowering spaces for learners who feel defeated
How literacy became the key that unlocked his future
Along the way, Baraka also discusses his acting career—from ZATIMA to American Horror Story—and how his lived experience shapes the roles he chooses and the stories he tells. But at the heart of this conversation is his unwavering message: Every child deserves to be seen, supported, and believed in.
This episode is a must-listen for teachers, literacy leaders, and anyone committed to helping students overcome barriers and discover their potential. Baraka’s story reminds us that with the right support, every learner can rewrite their future.

If you’ve ever wondered why some students seem to “get” reading more easily than others—or why comprehension struggles persist even when decoding improves—this episode is for you. Join us for a dynamic, eye‑opening conversation with Dr. Tiffany Hogan, one of the most respected voices in literacy education and a leading expert on oral and written language development.
Dr. Hogan brings clarity, warmth, and deep expertise to a topic every educator needs to understand: Oral language is the foundation of all literacy. Long before children ever pick up a book, they are developing the linguistic systems that will shape how they read, write, think, and communicate. And that development doesn’t stop when school begins—it continues to evolve through every interaction, every read‑aloud, every conversation, and every exposure to written language.
During this lively discussion, Dr. Hogan explores:
Why oral language begins before birth—and what that means for early learning
How vocabulary, syntax, pragmatics, and listening comprehension work together to support reading
Why the traditional “word gap” narrative misses the strengths children bring to school
How to move beyond deficit thinking and recognize the linguistic richness in every student
How read‑alouds bridge the “age gap” between what students can decode and what they can understand
The remarkable, bidirectional relationship between reading and oral language
Whether you teach early childhood, elementary, or secondary students, this episode will deepen your understanding of how language develops—and how to nurture it in ways that accelerate literacy for all learners, including those with Developmental Language Disorder, dyslexia, and other language-based differences.
Tune in and be inspired by a researcher, clinician, and advocate whose work is reshaping how we think about reading. Dr. Hogan reminds us that when we honor the complexity and beauty of oral language, we give students far more than literacy skills—we give them the power to learn, connect, and thrive.

During this episode of EDVIEW360, we welcome Dr. Ann P. Kaiser, renowned professor at Vanderbilt University and one of the nation’s leading experts on early language development. With decades of groundbreaking research, Dr. Kaiser has illuminated how the earliest years of language learning—long before children enter school—lay the foundation for reading and academic success. Her work bridges developmental psychology, linguistics, and education, offering educators and administrators a holistic framework for understanding how language, cognition, and environment interact to shape learning outcomes.
Listeners will gain practical insights into how responsive adult-child interactions, linguistically rich environments, and intentional teaching strategies can transform early language development and, ultimately, reading proficiency. Dr. Kaiser’s contributions have not only advanced the science of reading but also provided educators with actionable tools to support diverse learners from the start.
Listeners will learn:
Why language development in the first three years is a powerful predictor of later reading success
How biology and environment interact to influence children’s language growth
The role of responsive, linguistically rich adult-child interactions in accelerating development
Practical strategies for supporting oral language skills in preschool and early elementary classrooms
How early language differences can signal later reading challenges such as dyslexia or developmental language disorders
Ways educators can strengthen oral vocabulary, syntax, and phonological awareness to support struggling readers
How social-emotional and cognitive development are intertwined with language learning
Why intentional teaching of language foundations is essential for equity and long-term student achievement