PODCAST · education
Read by Example
by Matt Renwick
A monthly podcast about literacy instruction and school leadership readbyexample.substack.com
Episodes
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Building Trust as a School Leader: A Conversation with Dr. Jen Schwanke
👋Hi, it’s Matt. This week, I spoke with Jen Schwanke, former principal, current deputy superintendent, and author of Trusted. (Full subscribers can watch the video of our conversation below.) Enjoy! Also, my feedback survey closes soon. If you have a few minutes to spare, I’d love to know more...
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Dr. Kelly Cartwright: Executive Skills and Reading Comprehension
The science of reading has made real progress in how schools think about decoding and language comprehension. But for a significant number of struggling readers, those two buckets don’t explain what’s getting in the way. Dr. Kelly Cartwright, Spangler Distinguished Professor of Early Child…
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What School Leaders Need to Know About the Science of Reading
In this 45-minute presentation, I walk through five beliefs about the science of reading. The intent is to spark curiosity and encourage conversation. Watch this presentation in tandem with my free eBook What School Leaders Need to Know About the Science of Reading. Use these resources as a...
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Penny Kittle and Micro Mentor Texts
Listen to my conversation with Penny Kittle, author of Micro Mentor Texts: Using Short Passages From Great Books to Teach Writer’s Craft (Scholastic, 2022). This will be our book club selection for January - March 2026. Join the chat below. Full subscribers can also access the video recording of...
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Video Archive: Penny Kittle and Micro Mentor Texts
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit readbyexample.substack.com This video recording is an exclusive benefit for paid subscribers to Read by Example. Thank you for your support! You can use this content in a variety of ways: * Watch it by yourself or with colleagues, and...
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Beyond Debate: Fostering Civil Discourse in Classrooms for Stronger Communities
In this episode of “Read by Example,” I sat down with educators and authors Joe Schmidt and Nichelle Pinkney to discuss their influential book, Civil Discourse: Classroom Conversations for Stronger Communities (Corwin, 2022). They explore the urgent need for structured, empathetic dialogue in…
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The Monthly Log: Timeline and Intentions
In this video demonstration, I share key journaling tools - simple tracking tools and intentions for success - to start my month. The ultimate goal is improving outcomes for teachers and students. That includes a sense of well-being, not just achievement. When others feel supported and…
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The Power of Belonging in Schools
Matt speaks with Regie Routman, longtime educator and author of many books, including The Heart-Centered Teacher, for the inaugural episode of Literacy Unscripted. This podcast series challenges traditional approaches to literacy teaching and leadership. In this professional conversation, Regie…
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Literacy Unscripted: Reclaiming Professional Wisdom in the Age of Mandates
In this launch episode, host Matt explores the tension between literacy mandates and the messy reality of school leadership and teaching. Drawing from his experience as a principal and systems coach, Matt introduces the concept of "scripts" in education—from literacy curriculum programs to...
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The Monday Morning Memo #4: Be a Noticer, Not a Judger
Happy Monday! This week’s focus is on being a noticer vs. a judger during classroom visits. 📚 PROFESSIONAL STRATEGY When informally observing classroom instruction, shift from judging to noticing. Start by acknowledging what you see and hear without evaluation: "I'm noticing..." rather than…
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The Monday Morning Memo #1: Questions That Promote Reflection
Happy Monday! This week’s focus is on promoting reflection through questions. 📚 PROFESSIONAL STRATEGY Spring is hectic. It is also a time for reflection and renewal. We can encourage teachers to explore the proverbial question "Why am I doing what I'm doing?" with thoughtful questions. During...
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How to Ground Yourself in Unpredictable Times
In this video tutorial, I share how I use a notebook to keep myself grounded when things feel chaotic and unpredictable. It’s Election Day - this feels needed! I address the following aspects of my notebook system: * Keeping a weekly intentions list to come back to when considering next actions *...
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Organizing Your Coaching Practice with a Notebook
In this recorded webinar, we dove into how coaches and instructional leaders can use a notebook as a powerful tool to stay organized and focused in their practice. Drawing from personal experience and popular methodologies like Bullet Journaling and Getting Things Done, this episode explores the...
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How Vivian Chen Uses Notion in Her Instructional Practice
In this professional conversation, I speak with educational consultant Vivian Chen. Vivian is a former classroom teacher and coach, and now supports literacy educators independently. She organizes her work life using a free tool called Notion (notion.so) for a variety of tasks: * Building a...
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How to Become a Better Writing Teacher: A Conversation with Matt Glover
In this conversation, Matt Glover, former teacher and principal, now a full-time writer and consultant, and I discuss his book, How to Become a Better Writing Teacher, co-authored with Carl Anderson (Heinemann, 2024) Key Highlights from Conversation Author’s Background * Matt Glover's experience…
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Enhancing Writing Instruction: Insights from "How to Become a Better Writing Teacher"
In this engaging conversation with educators Vivian Chen, Debra Crouch, and Jared Kubota, we discuss the second half of How to Become a Better Writing Teacher by Carl Anderson and Matt Glover. The conversation revolves around practical insights, challenges, and strategies from the book that can...
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Better Newsletters: How to Use ChatGPT to Support and Scaffold Your Writing
As a literacy leader, writing is a critical skill. * We need to frequently communicate our organization’s beliefs and values. * We avoid misunderstandings when what we share and post is clear. * If we expect our students and teachers to be writers… So where does one start? Consider employing...
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How to Become a Better Writing Teacher #1
In this podcast, we delve into the world of writing instruction with Carl Anderson, co-author with Matt Glover of How to Become a Better Writing Teacher. Carl is the author of several acclaimed books including A Teacher's Guide to Writing Conferences and A Teacher's Guide to Mentor Texts K-5.…
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Bridging Literacy Leadership and Educational Justice: A Conversation with Michele Caracappa
Where does literacy leadership intersect with the quest for educational justice? In this thought-provoking conversation, I am joined by Michele Caracappa (Reading to Lead) and Debra Crouch (Made for Learning) as we delve into this vital topic. Michele, with her extensive background in education…
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Intentional Learning: Beyond Resolutions in Education
As the new year begins, Debra Crouch, Vivian Chen and I avoided the usual focus on resolutions in this professional conversation. Instead, we emphasized good intentions in our professional practice. Our discussion begins with a sharing of our current to-read lists, a mix of fiction and…
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Organizational Culture and Intelligent Failure: A Conversation with Isobel Stevenson
Read by Example is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support this space, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. On Monday, December 19, Debra Crouch and I spoke with Isobel Stevenson. Isobel is the author of The Coaching Letter, a newsletter that is about...
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Twitter Chats and Educational Dialogues: Inside the World of #G2Great
Ever since the advent of the Internet, professional development for educators has become more prominent online. Teachers and school leaders found a home in Twitter. It’s been a source of knowledge and a facilitator of long-lasting connections, even friendships. How can educators use this platform...
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The Heart-Centered Teacher: A Conversation with Regie Routman
In this conversation with Regie Routman, we explore her writing process that led to her new book The Heart-Centered Teacher: Restoring Hope, Joy, and Possibility in Uncertain Times (Routledge, 2023). I was interested in learning more about her purpose and intentions around this important book....
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Professional Conversation: Should teachers be required to submit lesson plans to their principal?
Read by Example is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts each week in your inbox, become a free or paid subscriber. For this article club, colleagues and I explored the following questions and more as we discussed Paul Emerich France’s article (ASCD Blog). * How can schools balance...
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Recommended Reading for New Leaders
What book would you consider to be essential reading for new school leaders? In this episode, Mary Howard (@DrMaryHoward), Debra Crouch (teachingdecisions.com) and I share some of our favorite books for principals, literacy specialists, and any teacher leader in a position of authority. Debra’s...
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3 Questions to Ask the Reader
In this episode, Gen Arcovio, Debra Crouch and I share what we are reading this summer for pleasure. * Gen Acorvio is a literacy trainer at the Lesley Reading Recovery & Literacy Collaborative (@Lesley_CRRLC). She is also the co-contributor for @LiteracyPages at...
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The Science of Reading Movement and The Never-Ending Debate: A Conversation with Paul Thomas
How long have “the reading wars” been a part of the national education discourse? What are the recurring themes? What can 4K-12 practitioners do to engage in a dialogue that leads to a better understanding of effective literacy instruction? In this episode, Paul Thomas shares his findings about…
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Trusting Readers: A Conversation with Hannah Schneewind
“What is the goal of independent reading, and why does this goal so often get lost in instruction?” We asked this and other questions of Hannah Schneewind. She is the author along with Jennifer Scoggin of Trusting Readers: Powerful Practices for Independent Reading (Heinemann, 2021). We explored...
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Making sense of reading's forever wars
In this episode, Mary Howard, Debra Crouch and I speak with professors Michiko Hikida and Leah Durán, authors of the article “Making sense of reading’s forever wars” (Phi Delta Kappan, 2022). Leah Durán is an associate professor in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Sociocultural Studies…
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Crossing the Bridge: A conversation with Terry Underwood about portfolio assessment
In this month’s podcast, I spoke with Terry Underwood about portfolio assessment in the context of literacy instruction. Terry is a former classroom teacher and a university professor. He is the author of Portfolio Practices: Lessons from Schools, District, and States with Sandra Murphy, and The...
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The Science of Reading and the Media: A Conversation with Maren Aukerman
Several esteemed colleagues and I engaged in a question-and-answer session with Maren Aukerman around her three articles for the Literacy Research Association: * Part 1: The Science of Reading and the Media: Is Reporting Biased? * Part 2: The Science of Reading and the Media: Does the Media Draw…
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The Science of Reading and the Media, Part 1
When it comes to the science of reading, asking who is right or who is wrong seems...wrong. A better question: "What do I believe, and how might I be wrong?" This is a response four educators and I considered as we discussed Maren Aukerman's article, "The Science of Reading and the Media: Is...
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How to Teach Readers
This podcast episode is an audio recording from a recent conversation with Peter Afflerbach, author of Teaching Readers (Not Reading): Moving Beyond Skills and Strategies to Reader-Focused Instruction (Guilford, 2022). Several community members were able to join us and ask questions of Peter. We...
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What's "true" within the science of reading movement?
In this special podcast for the Teaching Readers (Not Reading) book study, I discussed the first five chapters with literacy educators Belinda Whyte and Sally Rowlands. * Belinda is a resource teacher of literacy in Aotearoa, New Zealand. (twitter) * Sally is a retired teacher and works at the...
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One Science is Dependent on Another
In this special episode/post, I was joined by Sandy Brumbaum, Reading Recovery teacher leader and consultant, and Denise Johnson, a literacy professor at William & Mary, to kick off the book study for Teaching Readers (Not Reading): Moving Beyond Skills and Strategies to Reader-Focused…
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Literacy Leadership: A Conversation with Regie Routman and Colleagues
In this recorded conversation with Regie Routman and esteemed colleagues, we discussed: * Why trust is so important for schoolwide improvement * Why it is critical that leaders know literacy * How leaders can communicate feedback that is kind and useful This also closes out the four-week email...
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What I've learned since being diagnosed with ADHD
A couple of months ago, I was diagnosed with ADHD. Having some time to reflect on this change, I wanted to share a little bit from my experience, including: * How I was initially prompted to get an assessment, * Why I waited until I was 45 to do this, and * What I’ve learned so far. This is not a...
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Leaders Need to Know Literacy
Below are five insights after I read ten thoughtful posts from contributors around my book, Leading Like a C.O.A.C.H. 1. Leaders need to know literacy. “Through a lifetime of working in schools, one of my most powerful insights and core beliefs is that teachers must be leaders, and principals…
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Leading Like a C.O.A.C.H.: Competence as a Key for Creating Confidence and Building Trust in School Culture
The following is an adapted excerpt from my new book, Leading Like a C.O.A.C.H.: Five Strategies for Supporting Teaching and Learning (Corwin, 2022). Colleagues and I will be writing original posts to the book next month. Subscribe and join us! Think about the last business you went to for...
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Newsletter Update: A brief history of this space, plus the 2022 summer book study choice
Hello colleague, I wrote this post at my city’s local laundry mat. Our dryer decided to stop working on Memorial Day weekend. Perfect timing with our two teenagers navigating between friends’ houses, end-of-year school events, soccer games, and trail biking. The dirty clothes pile up quickly....
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Podcast: A Conversation with Steve Barkley
I spoke with Steve Barkley, educational consultant and coach, for his podcast Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud (found here). We discussed: * The importance of instructional leadership, * Balancing evaluation with professional learning, and * The five strategies from my book Leading Like a…
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What do you mean by "best practice"?
This adapted excerpt from my new book, Leading Like a C.O.A.C.H., questions the tendency for educators to seek fail-safe instructional practices in a search for certainty. During a conversation I once had with a district administrator about adopting a scripted curriculum program, one of their...
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Can a principal also be a coach? A conversation with Regie Routman
If you prefer to listen to my conversation with Regie Routman instead of watching it, here it is. We explored this question related to my new book, Leading Like a C.O.A.C.H., available through Corwin now (30% off through March). What people are saying about Leading Like a C.O.A.C.H. Matt Renwick…
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Leading Through Learning: Observing a Middle School Reading Lesson
In this excerpt from my book Leading Like a C.O.A.C.H., I described my experience observing a book club-style discussion via Zoom. I learn as much as anyone when I visit classrooms with a stance toward curiosity. Instructional walks offer a responsive and authentic approach to continuous...
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How to Make Learning Stick
If we teach a skill or an idea, and students didn’t learn it, how do we respond? Often we lean on more time or individual/small group support. Yet if the problem is the instructional strategy itself, more of the same will not be helpful. A student may need something different that is more…
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Cultivating Genius
What can we learn about literacy from our nation’s past? Dr. Gholdy Muhammad, author of Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy, shares her findings from her dissertation work on black literary societies and their relevance for today’s…
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Learner-Centered Leadership
Leading schools in the 21st century can be overwhelming. More is being added to our plates while our resources and time feel depleted. In a highly complex world, a framework for leading schools is needed. Devin Vodicka, author of Learner-Centered Leadership, offers “A Blueprint for…
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How to Reduce Change to Increase Improvement
Communicating feedback to teachers is one of the most challenging aspects of leadership. How do we influence instruction in a positive way while maintaining trust and respecting teachers as professionals? Dr. Viviane Robinson, author of Reduce Change to Increase Improvement (Corwin, 2017), offers...
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Making Curriculum Matter
How do we ensure all students can access the curriculum plus find it relevant and engaging? Angela Di Michele Lalor, author of Making Curriculum Matter: How to Build SEL, Equity, and Other Priorities into Daily Instruction, offers a guide for teachers and leaders to begin this work. In our...
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Cultivating Genius Book Discussion #2
We follow up on our previous conversation for Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy by Dr. Gholdy Muhammad, I am joined by contributors Gen Arcovio, Ryanne Deschane, Rhonda Precourt, and Carrie Thomas. We used the following three questions to...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Read by Example have?
Read by Example currently has 65 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Read by Example about?
A monthly podcast about literacy instruction and school leadership readbyexample.substack.com
How often does Read by Example release new episodes?
Read by Example has 65 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Read by Example?
You can listen to Read by Example on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Read by Example?
Read by Example is created and hosted by Matt Renwick.
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