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Supporting Teachers Through Adolescent Literacy Efforts With Rhonda Nelson
Season 2, Episode 2 • January 16, 2024 • 45 min
Listen to Season 2, Episode 2 of All For Literacy with Rhonda Nelson, Curriculum Instruction and Assessment Coordinator for the Bettendorf Community School District, for a firsthand perspective on the best ways to support teachers’ understanding of literacy instruction. Nelson and host Dr. Liz Brooke provide actionable advice about this critical need.
The leadership side needs access to the research just as much as teachers because the impact that they have on systems is so far-reaching.
Rhonda Nelson, Bettendorf Community School District
All For Literacy, Season 2, Episode 2:
Supporting Teachers Through Adolescent Literacy Efforts With Rhonda Nelson
“You could have the best curriculum, but without teachers understanding what you're asking of them or why they need to shift their practice, there will always be…distrust in the curriculum,” Rhonda Nelson says in this episode of All For Literacy with host Dr. Liz Brooke.
Rhonda Nelson is the Curriculum Instruction and Assessment Coordinator for the Bettendorf Community School District in Bettendorf, Iowa. Having previously served as a classroom teacher and earned a dyslexia certification, Nelson is now a doctoral candidate in reading science at Mount St. Joseph University.
Nelson brings a boots-on-the-ground viewpoint to All For Literacy for a discussion about critical topics in education:
- Concerning data trends from The Nation’s Report Card
- The need for teachers of all grades to understand the science of reading
- How to best support teachers as they implement evidence-based practices
- Strengthening the bidirectional relationship between educators and researchers
- Inspiring teachers of all subjects to include literacy instruction
While this episode’s discussion is wide and varied, one common theme emerges—how to best support teachers during adolescent literacy instruction. Tune in for actionable advice derived from a firsthand perspective, and subscribe to All For Literacy to catch new episodes.
Episode Breakdown
(00:01) – Nelson’s journey to her current position
(06:56) – Current teacher challenges and concerning NAEP data trends
(12:43) – How to best support teachers when implementing evidence-based practices
(16:38) – Importance of shared consensus across classrooms, schools, and districts
(21:10) – Strengthening the relationship between educators and researchers
(26:54) – How Nelson balances educational work with a Master’s program
(30:19) – Impact of COVID and the science of reading on upper elementary and middle school
(34:07) – Content-area teachers and literacy instruction
(44:15) – Hope for the future
(53:45) – Best practices for enriching literacy learning for students
About Rhonda Nelson
Rhonda Nelson is the curriculum instruction and assessment coordinator for the Bettendorf Community School District in Bettendorf, Iowa. Having previously served as a classroom teacher and earned a dyslexia certification, Nelson is now a doctoral candidate in reading science at Mount St. Joseph University.
Related Resources
Mentioned in This Episode
Liz Brooke, X @LizCBrooke
Liz Brooke, LinkedIn
Rhonda Nelson, LinkedIn
APM Reports — “Hard Words: Why Aren’t Our Kids Being Taught to Read”
APM Reports — “Sold A Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong”
Bettendorf Community School District
The Nation’s Report Card (NAEP Data)
All For Literacy, Episode 2 with Kareem Weaver
All For Literacy, Episode 10 with Dr. Shayne Piasta
Dr. Tracy Weeden, Neuhaus Education Center
Lexia LETRS® Professional Learning
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