As another school year comes to a close, Stacy Hurst, Donell Pons, and Lindsay Kemeny reflect on the moments, challenges, and lessons that shaped their year in literacy education. From advocating for students and navigating legislative pressures to celebrating reading breakthroughs and planning for growth, this candid conversation explores the very human side of teaching reading.

The hosts discuss the realities educators face beyond academics, the importance of literacy advocacy, what students truly need to become successful readers, and how they hope to reset and recharge over the summer months.

This episode is a reminder that the work of literacy changes lives — and that educators are never carrying the work alone.

Show Notes

In this episode, we discuss:

• Reflections on a year of literacy leadership and advocacy
• Why literacy instruction is deeply human work
• Student moments that stayed with us all year
• The growing need for writing instruction in teacher preparation
• Balancing research-based practices with real classroom time constraints
• Vocabulary instruction, small groups, and instructional flexibility
• Legislative challenges impacting literacy education
• Summer reset ideas, reading lists, and personal growth goals

Resources Mentioned

Reading Horizons Literacy Talks Podcast

Reading Horizons Ascend Mastery

Cascade Reading & Julie VanDyke

Lindsay Kemeny — Rock Your Literacy Block

Young-Suk Kim — Integrating Reading and Writing Instruction

Stewart Brand — Whole Earth Catalog

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