Ignite Reading - Co-Founder & CEO Jessica Reid Sliwerski

Reading intervention is failing too many kids because schools keep trying to solve a first-grade problem years too late. Jessica Reid Sliwerski, co-founder and CEO of Ignite Reading, shares the model she built to help students learn to read on time with one-to-one, daily, evidence-based support.As a lifelong educator who started in the Bronx and saw firsthand how inequity and poor reading instruction leave students behind, Jessica explains why the right intervention has to be precise, urgent, and built around the realities teachers face every day. She also breaks down how Ignite Reading pairs live tutors with adaptive tech, detailed formative data, and a simple 15- to 20-minute daily routine that fits inside the school day without overwhelming classroom teachers.You’ll discover:- Why so many schools misunderstand the science of reading- How Ignite Reading uses one-to-one tutoring to target exactly what each child needs- Why data should be translated for principals and district leaders, not buried in a dashboard- What it takes to train and certify tutors to a high bar- How the program supports teachers instead of adding to their workloadJessica also explains why Ignite Reading focuses on first grade, why “read by grade 3” can be dangerously late, and why the company will walk away from districts that are not truly committed to solving literacy gaps. It’s a candid look at what effective reading intervention actually requires, from classroom implementation to tutor quality to mission-driven leadership.Jessica Reid Sliwerski is the co-founder and CEO of Ignite Reading, a public benefit company focused on early literacy. A lifelong educator, she has worked in classrooms, school leadership, district support, and national curriculum reform, bringing deep experience in the science of reading and instructional design.Essential listening for teachers, principals, district leaders, and anyone who believes every child deserves the chance to become a confident reader on time. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★