Earning National Board Certification can feel overwhelming—but what if you could pass on your first try? In this episode, Malia shares the exact strategies she used to do just that, along with the hard lessons she learned along the way.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

• The #1 mistake teachers make when submitting student work samples.
• Why choosing “outlier” students is key to showcasing your impact.
• How to stay organized (and sane) with early evidence collection.
• Why standards alignment should start on day one.
• How a support system can make or break your success.

Show Links

National Board Certification
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In this powerful conversation, veteran educator Lori Josephson breaks down what dyslexia really is—and how you can spot the early signs in your preschool and kindergarten students. If you’ve ever had a gut feeling that something was “off” with a student’s reading but didn’t know what to look for or how to help, this episode is your guide.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• The most common myths about dyslexia (and what to stop believing today).
• Early red flags to watch for in pre-K and K students.
• Why phonemic awareness—not rhyming—is the real key.
• What orthographic mapping means and how it affects struggling readers.
• Simple strategies you can use right now to support at-risk students.

Show Links

Lori Josephson: Website / LinkedIn / X / Facebook / Instagram / Medium
Calling All Neurons Book
Science of Reading-What I Should Have Learned in College Facebook Group
International Dyslexia Association
GAAB Early Screener
Well Screening
Ladder of Reading by Dr. Nancy Young
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Become a Science of Reading Formula member!

Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out!

For decades, schools have relied on leveled readers to teach kids how to read—but what if they’ve been setting students up to guess instead of actually read? In this episode, I’m breaking down the difference between leveled readers and decodable books, and why one approach is backed by science while the other reinforces bad reading habits.

We’ll explore what makes decodable books so powerful, how they align with phonics instruction, and when to transition students to authentic texts. If your school still pushes leveled readers, I’ll also share practical ways to advocate for change (with data to back you up!).

In this episode, I'll dive into...

• Why leveled readers encourage guessing instead of decoding.
• How decodable books strengthen phonics and spelling skills.
• When (and how) to transition students from decodable books to authentic texts.
• Actionable steps to advocate for research-based reading instruction in your school.

Show Links

Nonfiction decodable books: Penguins
Decodable books
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Become a Science of Reading Formula member!

Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out! Follow right here.