Best Michelle Sullivan • Literacy Coach Podcasts (2025)

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35. Why Transcription Skills Matter in Early Writing Instruction with Amy Siracusano 49:37

3d ago49:37

49:37

In this insightful episode, I sit down with literacy expert, Amy Siracusano, to unpack the critical role that transcription skills play in early writing development. Together, we explore why handwriting, spelling, and fine motor skills aren’t just mechanical tasks—they’re foundational tools that unlock a child’s ability to communicate their thought…

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34. Orthographic Mapping, Sight Words & High-Frequency Words: What Every Teacher Should Know 17:33

10d ago17:33

17:33

In this solo episode of Literacy in Color, we’re cutting through the confusion around sight words, high-frequency words, and orthographic mapping. You’ll get a clear, research-backed understanding of how the brain actually learns words — and why traditional memorization strategies just don’t cut it. Michelle breaks down why every word "wants to gro…

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33. Spelling Error Analysis with Sydney Bassard, The Listening SLP 31:18

17d ago31:18

31:18

What can spelling errors really tell us about a student’s literacy development? In this episode of Literacy in Color, I sit down with Sydney Bassard, speech-language pathologist and founder of The Listening SLP, to dig into the power of spelling error analysis. Sydney breaks down the five types of spelling errors teachers should be aware of, explai…

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32. Crafting High-Quality Decodable Books with Brooke Vitale, Charge Mommy Books 37:31

24d ago37:31

37:31

In this episode of Literacy in Color, I'm joined by Brooke Vitale—veteran children’s book editor, author, and founder of Charge Mommy Books—to explore the art and science behind writing truly high-quality decodable books. With over 15+ years in publishing (including experience at Penguin and Disney!), Brooke brings a deep understanding of storytell…

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31. Stop the Robotic Reading – Building Fluency with MeQuel Bolden 23:41

1M ago23:41

23:41

In this powerful conversation, I’m joined by literacy coach and consultant MeQuel Bolden. With over a decade of classroom experience and a deep commitment to structured literacy, MeQuel shares insight into what reading fluency really is—and what it’s not. We unpack common fluency misconceptions, dive into what’s happening in the brain when students…

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30. Making Sense of Suffixes: Inflectional vs. Derivational Suffixes 21:43

1M ago21:43

21:43

In this solo episode, Michelle Sullivan breaks down one morpheme type: suffixes. You’ll learn the difference between inflectional and derivational suffixes, how they operate in our language system, and why understanding suffixes is critical for building skilled readers, spellers, and thinkers. Michelle takes you on a deep dive into how suffixes sha…

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29. Hands-On Phonemic Awareness Activities with Kristina Harrill 19:00

2M ago19:00

19:00

In this episode, Kristina Harrill, founder of Sweet for Kindergarten, joins me to share her passion for phonemic awareness and hands-on learning. We discuss the importance of bridging phonemic awareness and phonics instruction, debunk the myth that phonemic awareness has to be done in the dark, and dive into engaging, multisensory activities teache…

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28. Clearing up Misconceptions around MTSS with Dr. Stephanie Stollar 1:06:45

2M ago1:06:45

1:06:45

Dr. Stephanie Stollar, co-author of “MTSS for Reading Improvement” & founder of Reading Science Academy, joins me to break down MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) and clear up common misconceptions surrounding this framework. Many educators see MTSS as just an intervention model, but it’s so much more—it’s a system-wide approach to improving re…

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27. Celebrate National Schwa Day: What's the Schwa Sound & How to Teach It with Yvette Manns, Author of Phonics Read-Alouds 58:14

2M ago58:14

58:14

What exactly is the schwa sound, and why is it such an important part of the English language? Yvette Manns, author of the Phonics Read-Alouds series and founder of National Schwa Day, joins me to dive deep into everything schwa—what it is, how it functions in words, and why teaching it explicitly is a game-changer for reading and spelling instruct…

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26. Morphology 101 17:35

2M ago17:35

17:35

Morphology is one of the most powerful, yet often overlooked, components of your literacy block. In this episode, I break down the basics of morphology and explain why it’s essential for structured literacy to help students read, spell, and understand words more effectively. If you’ve ever wondered why students struggle with multisyllabic words, sp…

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25. Why are Decodable Texts Important? with Hooked on Comics 47:44

2M ago47:44

47:44

Brittany and Jackie from Hooked on Comics join us to discuss why decodable texts are essential for building foundational reading skills. We dive into what makes a text truly decodable, how these texts support structured literacy, and their unique approach to creating engaging decodable comics. Whether you’re new to using decodable texts or looking …

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24. Morphology Roundtable with Sarah Paul, Savannah Campbell, and Michelle Sullivan 53:45

3M ago53:45

53:45

In this episode of the Literacy in Color podcast, Michelle Sullivan, Sarah Paul, and Savannah Campbell join forces for a morphology roundtable discussion! They’re answering some of your most pressing morphology questions from social media: Why does teaching morphology matter? When should we begin teaching morphology, and how can it be introduced to…

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23. Why is Reading Fluency Important? with Dr. Heather Kenny from Unleashed Innovation 32:54

3M ago32:54

32:54

Why is reading fluency important? Dr. Heather Kenny from Unleashed Innovation joins me to unpack the critical role of fluency in reading development. Together, we explore why fluency is often described as the bridge between word recognition and language comprehension, discuss research-backed insights, and share actionable strategies to address flue…

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22. What is Reading Fluency? with Jessica Farmer from Farmer Loves Phonics 28:22

3M ago28:22

28:22

What is reading fluency? Jessica Farmer, a literacy advocate and professional learning facilitator, joins me to discuss the essential role of fluency in reading development. Together, we explore what fluency truly means, why it’s much more than speed, and how teachers can assess and improve fluency in their classrooms. Packed with practical strateg…

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21. When Reading Skills Aren't Clicking with Naomi O'Brien 55:04

3M ago55:04

55:04

What do you do when reading skills aren’t clicking for your students? Join me and the incredible Naomi O’Brien from Read Like a Rockstar Teaching as we tackle this critical question. Naomi shares her expertise in foundational skills in a structured literacy setting to help educators shift their instruction and support every reader. Whether you’re s…

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20. What to Do With All Those Leveled Books in a SoR Classroom 14:05

4M ago14:05

14:05

If you’ve been shifting to a Science of Reading approach, you might be wondering: What do I do with all the leveled texts in my classroom library? Should I toss them? Let them collect dust? Fear not—this episode is here to help! Today, we explore 6 practical and intentional ways to repurpose your leveled readers so they align with structured litera…

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19. Oral Language & Reading with Elizabeth Doherty, The Reading SLP 40:03

4M ago40:03

40:03

Elizabeth Doherty, known as The Reading SLP, joins us to discuss the critical role oral language plays in reading development. As a speech-language pathologist (SLP) with extensive experience, Elizabeth shares her insights into how oral language connects to reading comprehension, the importance of addressing oral language challenges, and actionable…

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18. 5 Tips for Small Group Reading Success 10:15

4M ago10:15

10:15

Small group reading instruction is where the magic happens! In this episode, we dive into five actionable tips to help you make the most of your small group time. Whether you're working on phonics, fluency, or comprehension, these strategies will ensure your instruction is intentional, impactful, and student-centered. Get ready to streamline your p…

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17. From Resolutions to Results: Set your Science of Reading Goals for 2025 12:53

4M ago12:53

12:53

Happy New Year’s Eve! As we say goodbye to 2024 and welcome 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect, reset, and set intentional goals for your teaching practice. In this episode, we’ll turn your passion for the Science of Reading into actionable, achievable goals that will set you and your students up for success in the new year. Together, we’ll ref…

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16. A Very Merry Phonological Awareness Lesson 14:38

5M ago14:38

14:38

It's Christmas Eve! In today’s special holiday-themed episode, we’re bringing a little winter magic to phonological awareness. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or just looking for a festive and educational activity, this interactive episode is for you! Together, we’ll play with sounds and words, engaging in fun phonological awareness activities th…

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15. Black Language & Structured Literacy with Dr. Jasmine Rogers 57:39

5M ago57:39

57:39

In this heartfelt, powerful, and impactful episode, I am joined by Dr. Jasmine Rogers, a leading national voice in literacy instruction and a trailblazer in culturally competent teaching practices. Dr. Rogers specializes in approaches that affirm Black Language (Black English) in the classroom and has dedicated her career to revolutionizing literac…

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14. A Literacy Coach's Role & Responsibilities with Alison Kantor (Literacy Coaching Conversations Series - Part 7) 30:54

5M ago30:54

30:54

We’re wrapping up this Literacy Coaching Conversations series with my good friend and colleague, Alison Kantor, a literacy coach and Orton-Gillingham trainer, to discuss the unique and impactful role of a literacy coach. Alison shares her journey from classroom teacher to literacy coach, her daily responsibilities, and her strategies for supporting…

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13. What is Structured Literacy? 18:22

5M ago18:22

18:22

What is Structured Literacy, exactly? Let’s take a deep dive into this research-based instructional approach rooted in the Science of Reading. We’ll unpack the guiding principles and elements of Structured Literacy, explain how it differs from Balanced Literacy, and share why it’s so effective for teaching all students—especially those with dyslexi…

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12. Coaching into Foundational Skills with Merri Polhemus (Literacy Coaching Conversations Series - Part 6) 24:51

5M ago24:51

24:51

In this episode of The Literacy in Color Podcast, Michelle chats with Merri Polhemus, a district-wide literacy coach focused on supporting teachers in building strong foundational skills. Now in her second year as a literacy coach, Merri discusses her unique role, her journey from classroom teacher to coach, and the many ways she helps teachers mas…

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11. Unraveling Scarborough’s Reading Rope: Fluency & Comprehension 14:41

5M ago14:41

14:41

In the final episode of this mini-series on Scarborough’s Reading Rope, we tie everything together by exploring the culmination of skilled reading: fluency and comprehension. We’ll recap the interconnected strands of Word Recognition and Language Comprehension, discuss the role of fluency as a bridge between decoding and comprehension, and unpack w…

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10. Building Trust with Teachers with Amie Burkholder (Literacy Coaching Conversations Series - Part 5) 31:27

5M ago31:27

31:27

In this Coaching Conversation, I chat with literacy coach Amie Burkholder about the importance of building trust with teachers. Amie opens up about her journey from classroom teacher to literacy coach, sharing strategies that have helped her foster supportive and impactful relationships with educators. Whether you're a new or experienced literacy c…

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9. Unraveling Scarborough’s Reading Rope: Language Comprehension 22:58

6M ago22:58

22:58

Join me as we explore the Language Comprehension side of Scarborough’s Reading Rope, a critical yet often under-discussed component in the Science of Reading. While Word Recognition gets much of the spotlight, Language Comprehension is equally vital for developing skilled readers. We’ll unpack the five strands of this half of the rope—Background Kn…

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8. Making Feedback Meaningful and Well-Received with Alicia Drozd (Literacy Coaching Conversations Series - Part 4) 29:57

6M ago29:57

29:57

In this episode, Michelle welcomes Alicia Drozd, a literacy coach and leader at the Rutgers University Center for Literacy Development, to discuss the art of delivering meaningful and well-received feedback to teachers. They explore the nuances of giving feedback that not only supports growth but fosters trust and collaboration. Alicia shares her i…

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7. Unraveling Scarborough’s Reading Rope: Word Recognition 15:00

6M ago15:00

15:00

Let’s dive deep into the intricacies of Scarborough’s Reading Rope, focusing specifically on the Word Recognition side. I break down how phonological awareness, decoding, and sight recognition work together to form the foundation of skilled reading. With insights into each strand, practical examples, and research-based explanations, this episode wi…

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6. The Power of Coaching Cycles with Erin McBride (Literacy Coaching Conversations Series - Part 3) 28:14

6M ago28:14

28:14

Michelle sits down with Erin McBride, a seasoned literacy coach who has worked in various educational settings. Together, they explore the power of coaching cycles—how they work, why they're essential, and how they differ from traditional coaching. Erin shares her experiences navigating different coaching environments, from district-wide roles to h…

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5. What's a COLORFUL Classroom - When it Comes to Literacy 16:12

6M ago16:12

16:12

In this episode of The Literacy in Color Podcast, Michelle shares the story and inspiration behind her platform, The Colorful Classroom. From her background in color and design to her passion for literacy, Michelle explores what it means to have a "colorful" classroom. She introduces the acronym COLORFUL: Captivating Our Learners on Reading Fluentl…

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4. The Perspective of a First Year Literacy Coach with Hannah Irion-Frake (Literacy Coaching Conversations Series - Part 2) 33:05

6M ago33:05

33:05

In this Coaching Conversation, Michelle chats with Hannah Irion-Frake, a first-year literacy coach who shares her inspiring journey from classroom teacher to instructional coach. They discuss the challenges and rewards of her new role, how her background prepared her, and the importance of building trust with teachers. Hannah offers valuable insigh…

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3. The Science of Reading and the Art of Teaching: Bridging Evidence and Creativity 12:54

6M ago12:54

12:54

In this episode, we get into some heat about the Reading Wars. While Balanced Literacy aims to create a joyful reading experience, Structured Literacy provides the explicit instruction necessary for students to actually learn how to read. —But can’t we have BOTH joy & proficiency when implementing the Science of Reading research? We explore why it’…

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2. Coaching with Heart: 3 Tips to Succeed as a Literacy Coach (Literacy Coaching Conversations Series - Part 1) 11:02

6M ago11:02

11:02

Welcome to the Coaching Conversations Bonus Series of The Literacy in Color Podcast! In this episode, we dive into what it truly means to "coach with heart". I share three essential tips to help you succeed as a literacy coach. Whether you’re just starting out or already in the thick of it, these tips focus on building trust, fostering collaboratio…

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1. All Logophiles Welcome: Why Phonics, Morphology, and Vocabulary Matter 16:41

6M ago16:41

16:41

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Literacy in Color, where we’re diving into the rich world of words and why you should become a fellow logophile (literally ‘lover of words’) on this journey with me! Celebrating my 37th birthday today, I feel a renewed sense of purpose to tackle the literacy crisis in our classrooms. As educators, we have the ext…

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Literacy in Color Trailer 2:11

7M ago2:11

2:11

🎙 Welcome to The Literacy in Color Podcast! 🎙 Hosted by Michelle Sullivan, your go-to structured literacy BFF, this podcast is here to guide teachers through evidence-based practices while making learning colorful, engaging, and effective. With over a decade of experience as a reading interventionist and literacy coach, Michelle is on a mission to …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Michelle Sullivan • Literacy Coach Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen