The Reading Symphony
Hosted by Katie Megrian — literacy leader, former principal, and mom of two young readers — The Reading Symphony brings the science of reading to life for parents, teachers, and school leaders who want clarity, not confusion. Each episode blends research-based insight with real-world strategies for helping children thrive in reading, writing, and comprehension.
From phonemic awareness and decoding to fluency, vocabulary, and background knowledge, Katie demystifies what great instruction looks like and how families can support it at home. You’ll hear from expert guests in literacy education, cognitive science, and classroom practice — along with relatable stories from parents navigating the journey right beside their kids.
Whether you’re an educator implementing the Science of Reading, a school leader designing literacy PD, or a parent decoding report cards and assessments, this podcast is your roadmap to evidence-based reading success.
Topics include:
- How children learn to read and why some struggle
- What to look for in a strong school literacy program
- The truth about reading assessments and progress reports
- Strategies to build fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension
- The role of knowledge building and background knowledge
- Advocacy tips for parents and educators
- Inspiring stories from classrooms and homes that got reading right
The Reading Symphony
The Reading Symphony Podcast Trailer
Hi everyone, and welcome to the Reading Symphony, the podcast where we bring every strand of reading into harmony so every child can experience the music of becoming a confident and capable reader. I'm Katie Merian, a literacy leader with more than 20 years of experience as a teacher, principal, and K to 12 English language arts director. I've seen this journey from both sides, guiding hundreds of teachers and students in schools, and supporting my own kids at home. I know that learning to read isn't just an academic milestone, it's an emotional, deeply personal one too. Each Wednesday morning, I'll share a quick 20 to 30 minute episode designed to make the process of supporting reading at home feel a little less overwhelming. We'll explore how kids learn to read and why it is so hard. We'll unpack what great instruction should look like at school and what you can do to support reading at home in a way that works with your schedule and without added stress. I'll be joined by literacy experts from across the field researchers, classroom teachers, school principals, and interventionists to bridge the gaps between what science tells us, what happens in schools and what families can do at home I'm so excited for you to join me.