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Leaders of Literacy Podcasts2021-02-26T11:31:33-05:00

Welcome to our Podcast

School Readiness episodes focus on the research, resources, and programs that highlight the importance of ensuring that children have access to the best available resources prior to entering school

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Attendance episodes focus on research, resources, and programs that work towards reducing chronic absenteeism in the early grades in order to establish good attendance habits and combat chronic absence. 

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Extended learning episodes focus on research, resources, and programs to support students when they are not in school.  The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading emphasizes the need for summer programming

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High-Quality Instruction episodes focus on providing teachers with research-based professional learning and resources on high-quality, standards-aligned instructional materials, best teaching practices, and learning environments that will lead to student

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Meet the Team

Becky Lewis

Early Literacy Specialist

Becky has 10 years of classroom experience as a general classroom teacher and Literacy Specialist working with students in grades K-12. She spent the majority of that time in an elementary setting, where she obtained her National Board Teaching Certification in Early and Middle Childhood Literacy. This is Becky’s 2nd year working on the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. Her love of literacy, learning, and children motivates her to continue to develop her knowledge of early literacy development and pass that knowledge on in order to provide all WV children with the best educational experiences possible.

Maggie Luma

State Lead: WV Campaign for Grade Level Reading

Maggie has worked on the Leaders of Literacy: Campaign for Grade Level Reading since 2015. Currently, she serves as the State Lead for the Campaign and as Literacy Coordinator at the West Virginia Department of Education.  As a self-proclaimed life-long learner, Maggie feels passionate about continuing education and professional development. In her spare time, she enjoys journaling, reading, and listening to her favorite podcasts. She is thrilled to combine her passions and bring the podcasting format to educators in West Virginia.

Brittany Fike

Early Literacy Specialist

Brittany has experience working in the classroom with students from preschool to fifth grade where she was dedicated to utilizing a variety of developmentally appropriate practices in order to engage students and support their academic, social, and emotional needs. Her background in Elementary and Early-Childhood Education, as well as Special Education and Autism, has led to her passion for helping those in the education community provide the best opportunities possible for all children. Her background, experience, and passion supports her desire to provide meaningful professional development for educators where they can use the knowledge they gain to strengthen the learning opportunities for all children in our state.

Christy Schwartz

Early Literacy Specialist

Christy has 10 years of educational experience and holds Bachelor’s degrees in Printing Management and Elementary Education as well as a Master’s degree in Special Education-Gifted. As a teacher, she was honored to serve on several state leadership teams and the WV Commission for Professional Teaching Standards, but her most cherished successes included 86% of her 2015 students and 72% of her 2016 students achieving proficiency on the WV General Summative Assessment.  Growing up in rural WV, Christy’s favorite childhood moment was when the Bookmobile arrived up the hollow, and she is excited to be in her 4th year on the Campaign to share the joy of literacy with the next generation.

Brandie Turner

Early Literacy Specialist

Brandie has 11 years of experience in the classroom working with preschool special education, gifted education, and teaching kindergarten, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th grade regular education. This is Brandie’s 3rd year working on the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. Along with her experience and expertise, her passion for education and training drives her desire to help educational organizations and systems be the best they can be.

Samantha Statler

Early Literacy Specialist

Samantha is the newest member of the team, hailing from Ashland, Kentucky. Although a proud Kentuckian, Samantha has embraced the education system of West Virginia. She has taught in Kanawha County, as well as in Rowan County, Kentucky and the Ashland Independent School System. Samantha developed a strong love for children’s literature during her early teaching career that spanned across four counties and two states. As a professional, she has remained a true student of learning and is always eager to share her passion for literacy. Samantha currently resides in Huntington, West Virginia and devotes her free time to her daughter, Honora.

Sara Hutchinson

State Assistant: WV Campaign for Grade Level Reading

Sara is the State Assistant for the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading as well as English Language Arts coordinator in Early and Elementary Learning Services at the West Virginia Department of Education. Before taking this position in March 2020, Sara gained years of valuable experience working as a first and second-grade teacher and an academic coach in Fayette County. She is passionate about creating meaningful professional development opportunities for educators and is anxious to share powerful conversations that impact literacy development through this podcast.

Blake Turley

Family Support Specialist

Blake Turley is the Family Support Specialist with the June Harless Center at Marshall University. Blake has extensive experience teaching and caring for children from birth to Pre-K and providing professional development and on-site technical assistance to early care and education professionals. She holds a master’s degree in early childhood education from Marshall University. Blake is a certified trainer for the Program for Infant Toddler Care (PITC) through the California Department of Education and WestEd, and she is endorsed by the West Virginia Infant/Toddler Mental Health Association (WVITMHA) as an Infant Family Associate.

Latest episodes

Explore our professional, curated podcast content.

Episode 32: The Science of Reading

Science and Technology have contributed to many advancements in the way we live, learn, and work. One such advancement is the science behind how we develop as readers, known as the Science of Reading. The research and knowledge behind the Science of Reading has been gaining more and more attraction in the world of literacy education. But what does it mean and what implications does this have for educators?

Today, Maggie Luma and I sit down to discuss these questions regarding the Science of Reading as well as some key takeaways for educators.

Show Notes

Episode 31: Interview with Amanda Peyton

In education, family engagement and family involvement are often used interchangeably; however, the distinction between these two terms is crucial to understand how to build strong, meaningful partnerships with parents and families.

Today, Blake Turley and I sit down with fellow West Virginia Educator, Amanda Peyton, to talk more about parent and family engagement. Amanda provides a great perspective on the difference between involving families and engaging them, along with some simple yet impactful examples of how McDowell County educators are building strong partnerships with their families.

Show Notes

Episode 30: Interview with Milagros Nores

Engaging parents and families and working to create strong partnerships is an important way for educators to enhance the overall well-being of the children in their classroom. During the recent unprecedented times, we have experienced, the home-school connections and the strength of these partnerships may seem compromised. But what does the research say?

Today, Blake Turley and I sit down with Milagro Nores from the National Institute for Early Education Research to discuss family engagement. Join us as we talk about the research findings regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and early childhood education, along with the lessons that have been learned about the role of family engagement.

Show Notes

Episode 29: Interview with Dr. Doug Fisher

Engaging students in learning is a complex process that involves many different elements that are intricately woven together. Balancing these various elements can at times be overwhelming, regardless of the environment in which learning is taking place.

Listen as Dr. Doug Fisher joins the conversation today to talk about some of these elements and shares tips focused on how educators can promote student engagement.

Show Notes

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