The Orton-Gillingham Podcast | A Brainspring Production – Details, episodes &amp; analysis

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Why Knowledge Building Matters in Reading Instruction (with Natalie Wexler)

Episode 48

Friday, May 8, 2026 • Duration 27:41

“We’ve been making reading and writing harder for kids than they need to be.”

—Natalie Wexler

Systematic phonics instruction is essential, but it's not enough to ensure strong reading outcomes. In this episode of The Orton-Gillingham Podcast, education journalist and author Natalie Wexler joins us to discuss the vital role of background knowledge in reading instruction, why students struggle when it’s overlooked in lesson planning, and how educators can most effectively integrate knowledge building into their daily practice.

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For additional content, please see the links below.

Current Open Courses: https://brainspring.com/course-schedule/

Meet with an Ed Consultant: https://outlook.office.com/book/Partn...

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Become a Mentor, Transform a Life (with Dr. Shawn Anthony Robinson and Dr. William Kitz)

Episode 47

Friday, February 6, 2026 • Duration 28:15

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Shawn Anthony Robinson, joined by his longtime mentor, Dr. William Kitz. Dr. Kitz played a pivotal role in Dr. Robinson's academic development, beginning with his support through Project Success, a program for adult learners at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, and continuing as Dr. Robinson worked toward earning his Ph.D. We discuss their enduring relationship, how Dr. Kitz helped shape Dr. Robinson’s path, and the powerful, life-changing impact mentors can have, especially for struggling readers and students with dyslexia.

Dr. William Kitz

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From Special Ed to Ph.D. (with Dr. Shawn Anthony Robinson)

Episode 46

Friday, January 9, 2026 • Duration 37:11

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Shawn Anthony Robinson, a truly inspiring guest who struggled with dyslexia throughout his childhood. After learning to read at age 18, Dr. Robinson went on to earn a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and a Ph.D. in Literacy and Language. He is also the creator of Doctor Dyslexia Dude, an award-winning graphic novel about a superhero with dyslexia. Learn more about Dr. Robinson and his work at drshawnarobinson.com/

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LEFT BEHIND and the Moms Who Built a School (with Anna Toomey)

Episode 45

Friday, November 14, 2025 • Duration 22:57

Today, we'll speak with special guest Anna Toomey, director of LEFT BEHIND, an award-winning documentary about a group of mothers who band together to create the first public school for children with dyslexia in New York City. For more information about the film, including how to watch it, please visit: https://www.leftbehindthefilm.com

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Decoding Decodable Readers (with Olivia Whicker)

Episode 44

Sunday, August 10, 2025 • Duration 24:15

Today, we'll speak with Olivia Whicker, co-author of Talewinds™, Brainspring's new collection of decodable readers, about what makes decodable texts so effective, how decodables differ from other readers, and what teachers and parents should consider when purchasing a collection.

Talewinds™ Decodable Readers by Brainspring are coming this September!

Preorder today at https://brainspring.com/talewinds-library/

Developed with Brainspring’s trusted Orton-Gillingham expertise, these readers follow a carefully sequenced path that reinforces phonics skills while bringing stories to life through rich characters and imaginative plots.

Designed to grow with the reader, each book builds confidence and fluency by integrating newly learned skills with previously taught concepts. Beyond the books, educators also receive digital access to a detailed Teacher Guide, filled with lesson ideas, skill breakdowns, Phonics First® Scope and Sequence alignment guides, and support for targeted instruction.

Take a look inside our flipbook at https://heyzine.com/flip-book/0f4a492fa4.html#page/1

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A Case for Handwriting (with Denise Sherman)

Episode 43

Tuesday, April 29, 2025 • Duration 19:56

Today, we’ll speak with Denise Sherman, Curriculum and Instructional Specialist at Brainspring, about the importance of handwriting instruction for students, how handwriting helps develop important skills later in life, and what we risk losing if we cut back on handwriting instruction in schools.

Brainspring’s Handwriting Program is LIVE! Order Now! https://brainspring.com/.../classroom-package.../ We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new handwriting program, designed to help students develop confident, legible handwriting—one stroke at a time. Grounded in multisensory, structured literacy principles, our program supports fine motor skills and reinforces foundational literacy in every lesson. Whether you're a classroom teacher, interventionist, or homeschool parent, this easy-to-use, engaging curriculum brings handwriting to life for learners of all ages. Explore the program now: https://brainspring.com/.../classroom-package.../

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Maryanne Wolf on Digital Literacy

Episode 42

Monday, March 31, 2025 • Duration 49:37

Today, we’ll speak with special guest Maryanne Wolf, a renowned scholar and director of UCLA’s Center for Dyslexia, about her research on the reading brain, how digital technologies are affecting our brains, and what we can do to prepare young children for an increasingly digital world.

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Inequities in Education (with Dr. Ryan Lee-James)

Episode 41

Monday, January 27, 2025 • Duration 35:53

Today, we’ll speak with Dr. Ryan Lee-James, a speech-language pathologist with expertise in reading disabilities, about her research on inequities in education, what we can do to improve literacy rates, and how we can make classroom environments more equitable.

Dr. Lee-James recommends the following resources for families interested in advocating for their children:

National Center for Improving Literacy (https://www.improvingliteracy.org/index.html)

Cox Campus (https://coxcampus.org/)

Florida Center for Reading Research (https://fcrr.org/)

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America's #1 Youth Motivational Speaker (with Jordan Toma)

Episode 40

Monday, December 9, 2024 • Duration 52:21

Today, we're joined by Jordan Toma, an inspirational author who overcame multiple learning disabilities to become the number one youth motivational speaker and youth advocate in the United States.

Watch the video version of this podcast here: https://youtu.be/C0vj72zCXEg

#dyslexia #inspiration

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