Literacy for All, MTSS, and District-Wide Curriculum Innovation with Dr. Rachel Chappell

Today on Education Influencers, Dr. Carla Sparks interviews Dr. Rachel Chappell, a 27-year educator and Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction for Sarasota County Schools, about leading district-wide curriculum, instruction, and student outcomes. Dr. Chappell discusses how earning her EdD at National Louis University opened opportunities to share research on oral language and early literacy intervention, support dissertation writers, and step into her current leadership role. She highlights Sarasota’s Literacy for All initiative, the district’s transition to science of reading-aligned instruction, strengthening Tier 1 teaching and targeted supports, and building educator capacity through job-embedded professional learning. She also describes designing a K–12 Multi-Tiered System of Supports framework, cross-department collaboration, grant-funded professional learning in literacy and math, and leadership practices centered on relationships, trust, clarity, feedback, data, and continuous improvement.Episode Highlights:00:00 Podcast Welcome00:30 Meet Dr Rachel Chappell02:06 Doctorate Opens Doors04:16 Influencing Reading Success06:58 Impact Beyond School08:44 Building K12 MTSS10:35 Director Role Realities15:15 Trailblazing Sarasota18:12 Grants And Innovation21:20 Tips For Change Makers25:41 Relationships At The Core26:52 Closing Thanks