Episodes

  • Dyslexia Duo Podcast Episode 87 - Deirdre O'Toole, Missy Purcell, & Elise Lovejoy

    Dyslexia Duo Podcast Episode 87 - Deirdre O'Toole, Missy Purcell, & Elise Lovejoy
    Apr 25 2026
    The Dyslexia Duo: Inside Ireland’s Right to Read Conference: Building a Global Movement for Dyslexia and Literacy The Dyslexia Duo hosts, Melissa Dean and Aimee Rodenroth, interview Deirdre “Dee” O’Toole, chairperson of Right to Read Ireland and organizer of Ireland’s inaugural Right to Read Conference, along with U.S. literacy advocates Missy Purcell and Elise Lovejoy. Dee describes moving from primary teaching into literacy research, beginning a PhD, and leading a team of nine to plan a March conference for 400 attendees that sold out in 90 minutes with a 300+ waiting list. The guests discuss why the event felt uniquely mission-driven and practitioner-focused, the value of global collaboration for dyslexia and literacy, Ireland’s bilingual English/Irish context, and gaps affecting disadvantaged and dyslexic learners despite high national reading scores. They highlight advocacy strategies, teacher autonomy and hunger for evidence-based learning, concerns about U.S. implementation barriers, and plans for a larger, possibly expanded conference next year. 00:50 Meet Dee and Right to Read 02:41 Conference Growth Story 03:42 Meet Missy Purcell, the Advocate 05:03 Meet Elise Lovejoy of Express Readers 06:34 Why the Conference Felt Different 09:18 Global Dyslexia Collaboration 12:26 Advocacy Steps for Change 19:00 Ireland Literacy Reality Check 22:24 Inside the Conference Lineup 28:15 Decodables Go International 39:59 Conference Design Takeaways 41:49 Bilingual Dyslexia Testing 42:43 Irish Reading Challenges 43:35 Etymology Rabbit Holes 44:27 Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia 46:06 Second Language Anxiety 47:50 Morphology and Latin 51:24 Teacher Support Strategies 56:57 Funding and Teacher Pay 01:01:03 Next Year Conference Plans 01:03:52 Where to Find Them 01:05:23 Accents and Ireland Stories 01:10:14 Lightning Round Wrap Up
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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • ALTA 2026: ALTA Closing

    ALTA 2026: ALTA Closing
    Apr 18 2026

    The duo bid adieu to the ALTA 2026 conference
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    3 mins
  • ALTA 2026: Jasmin Dean

    ALTA 2026: Jasmin Dean
    Apr 18 2026

    The duo have a lively discussion with the founder of Celebrate Dyslexia, Jasmin Dean.
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    8 mins
  • ALTA 2026: Sally Gerstner

    ALTA 2026: Sally Gerstner
    Apr 18 2026

    The duo discuss best practices for therapists in private practice with Sally Gerstner
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    8 mins
  • ALTA 2026: Vonda McFarling - Multisensory Math

    ALTA 2026: Vonda McFarling - Multisensory Math
    Apr 18 2026

    The duo talk with Vonda McFarling about her work in Multisensory Math
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    11 mins
  • ALTA 2026: Brittney Mills - Reading Services of Arkansas

    ALTA 2026: Brittney Mills - Reading Services of Arkansas
    Apr 18 2026

    The duo discuss Reading Services of Arkansas.
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    11 mins
  • ALTA 2026: Mary Belvin - Belvin Literacy Institute

    ALTA 2026: Mary Belvin - Belvin Literacy Institute
    Apr 18 2026

    The duo talk with Mary Belvin of the Belvin Literacy Institute.
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    7 mins
  • ALTA 2026: Dr. Monica McHale-Small

    ALTA 2026: Dr. Monica McHale-Small
    Apr 18 2026

    The duo talk with ALTA 2026 speaker Dr. Monica McHale Small
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    10 mins