I Watched Kids Learn to Read (and it was beautiful)

In this S2E5 Schoolutions Teaching Strategies conversation, reading intervention specialist Linda Farrell reveals the assessment-driven approach that's helping struggling readers across America. From her unique journey as a former investment banker turned reading expert, Linda shares game-changing strategies that every educator and parent needs to know.

What You'll Learn:
✅ The critical difference between teaching typical vs. struggling readers
✅ How proper assessment drives effective teaching (not guessing!)
✅ Why early intervention before age 8 is crucial for student success
✅ The Simple View of Reading that transforms instructional strategies
✅ Free assessment tools you can use immediately

Perfect for: teachers, education coaches, school administrators, parents, homeschoolers, teacher mentors, instructional leaders, school counselors seeking effective teaching methods and professional development.

Linda's work demonstrates how proper assessment leads to targeted instruction, improved student engagement, and lasting student success. Her Reading Rockets video series shows real results with real kids, proving that with the right approach, we can help every child become a thriving student.

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction to Linda Farrell
1:26 Inspiring Educator: Rossi King
4:24 Linda's Journey: From Investment Banking to Reading
9:49 Red Flags for Parents
11:29 Reading Rockets Video Series
16:59 What Would You Change About Education?
19:42 Favorite Assessment Tools
22:07 Success Stories That Change Lives

Episode Mentions:

• Louisa C. Moats, Ed.D.
• Decoding Dyslexia
• Looking at Reading Interventions Video Series on Reading Rockets
• The Simple View of Reading
• Readsters® Complimentary Assessment Resources 

Articles by Linda Farrell:

• The Simple View of Reading
• First Rule of Reading: Keep Your Eyes on the Words
• Helping Students Keep Their Eyes on the Words

Webinars by Linda Farrell:

• The Simple View of Reading
• Using Decodable Books and Early Leveled Readers Appropriately
• Using Decodables and Leveled Readers
• Linda Farrel Balanced literacy vs systematic reading on Vimeo
• CCSS Reading Foundational Skills: What’s There and What’s Missing? - Linda Farrell on Vimeo

When teachers, coaches, administrators, and families grow together, they create schools where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged, supported, and ready to thrive.