If you’ve ever caught yourself wondering how reading instruction should evolve in an AI-driven world, this episode is for you. We trace how literacy has moved from textbooks to tablets to intelligent tools — and explore what that shift means for your classroom. You’ll hear how AI and digital platforms can help personalize reading, spark curiosity, and support every learner’s journey toward deeper comprehension and engagement.

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Related Resources: Great Habits, Great Readers

Juliana Worrell is the Chief Schools Officer K-8 for Uncommon Schools. Previously, Juliana served as an assistant superintendent, managing 14 of Uncommon’s North Star and Brooklyn elementary schools. Under Juliana’s leadership, her schools have consistently outperformed end-of-year state exam averages, with nearly all outperforming their respective states’ highest performing subgroups. Juliana is co-author of the book Great Habits, Great Readers, which is a comprehensive guide for K-4 Reading instruction.

Jen Schwanke, Ed.D., is a longtime educator who has served as a teacher and leader at all levels. She is the author of five ASCD books, including her most recent title, Trusted: Trust Pillars, Trust Killers, and the Secret to Successful Schools. She is also the author of the newsletter for school leaders titled “Principal Problems with Dr. Jen.”Schwanke co-hosts “Principal Matters” Podcast. She has been active in developing and presenting training, professional development, and keynote addresses to various organizations around the United States. An instructor in educational administration at The Ohio State University, Dr. Schwanke currently serves as a Deputy Superintendent in Ohio. jenschwanke.com.

Lisa Leaheey taught English at North Providence High School for the entirety of her 23-year career. A lifelong voracious reader and movie buff, she spends every day sharing her passion for stories with her students, and she continuously seeks out new ways to elevate her students’ individual strengths and to support their individual needs.

Listening skills are more critical than ever. In this episode of Principal Street, the discussion centers on the crucial role of listening in educational leadership. The hosts explore how empathetic listening can transform school culture, empower staff and students, and enhance communication. They introduce the Five Ear Model of Listening, emphasizing the importance of active listening in fostering trust and collaboration within school communities. The conversation also addresses the importance of measuring listening effectiveness and modeling effective listening practices for students.

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John Hattie, PhD, is an award-winning education researcher and best-selling author with nearly thirty years of experience examining what works best in student learning and achievement. His research, better known as Visible Learning, is a culmination of nearly thirty years synthesizing more than 2,100 meta-analyses comprising more than one hundred thousand studies involving over 300 million students around the world. He has presented and keynoted in over three hundred international conferences and has received numerous recognitions for his contributions to education. His notable publications include Visible Learning, Visible Learning for Teachers, Visible Learning and the Science of How We Learn; Visible Learning for Mathematics, Grades K-12; and 10 Mindframes for Visible Learning.

Lyn Sharratt, EdD, is a practitioner and researcher working in remote and urban settings worldwide. Lyn is an Adjunct Professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Canada; a Fellow at University of Melbourne, Australia; an author consultant for Corwin Press; an advisor for International School Leadership with the Ontario Principals’ Council; and consults internationally, working with system, school, and teacher leaders at all levels in Australia, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Lyn focuses her time and effort on increasing each student’s growth and achievement by working alongside leaders and teachers to put FACES on their data, taking intentional action to make equity and excellence a reality for ALL students.

Amy Fast, Ed.D – Superintendent, Dayton, Oregon, United States · Superintendent · Dayton School District – Experience: Superintendent · Principal · Book Author · High School Assistant Principal · Instructional Coach · Classroom Teacher. McMinnville School District.

A discussion about the essential qualities and actions that distinguish exceptional principals from their peers. They explore the importance of consistency, building relationships, and ensuring student success through effective leadership strategies. The dialogue emphasizes the role of teachers in shaping school culture and the need for principals to model best practices. The conversation concludes with insights on the continuous nature of leadership and the impact of great principals on their communities.

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Dr. Todd Whitaker has been fortunate to be able to blend his passion with his career. Recognized as a leading presenter in the field of education, his message about the importance of teaching has resonated with hundreds of thousands of educators around the world. Todd is a professor of educational leadership at the University of Missouri and a professor emeritus at Indiana State University. He has spent his life pursuing his love of education by researching and studying effective teachers and principals. One of the nation’s leading authorities on staff motivation, teacher leadership, and principal effectiveness, Todd has written over 50 books, including the national bestseller, What Great Teachers Do Differently. Other titles include: Dealing With Difficult Teachers, Ten-Minute Inservice, Your First Year, What Great Principals Do Differently, Motivating & Inspiring Teachers, and Dealing With Difficult Parents.

Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket has been a public school educator for 18 years and currently serves as Principal of a top-ranked elementary school in Maryland. She is the author of the newly released book The Principal’s Journey: Navigating the Path to School Leadership.