Literacy Lunch Break

Latest Episodes:

Series 8: Ep. 6-Burnout to Ready: Teacher Wellness as the Foundation for a Learner-Ready Classroom May 20, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we're joined by Heather Minter, Amanda Senter, and Sean Toy to explore the often-overlooked side of learner readiness: the importance of educators caring for themselves so they can show up fully for their students. From recognizing the signs of burnout to understanding how our own regulation impacts the classroom, this conversation highlights why teacher well-being is foundational to effective teaching.

Our guests share honest reflections on what it looks like to set boundaries, ask for help, and lean on others in a profession that often pulls educators toward giving everything they have. We discuss practical strategies for regulating in the moment, including drop and drag breathing, grounding through the senses, and small shifts like lowering your voice to bring the temperature of a situation down. We also explore the difference between everyday stress and true burnout, how to repair after dysregulation, and ways to model self-regulation authentically for students. As the school year wraps up, the conversation turns toward using summer as a threshold, a chance to reflect, reset, and hold onto the small wins that remind us why this work matters.

Learn more about Heggerty!

Visit Heggerty.org for FREE Resources and to download samples of our curriculum.
Follow us on Social Media
Want to keep in touch and be the first to know about new episodes, sign-up for our newsletter here!

Series 8: Ep. 5-Resetting the Classroom: Supporting Students After Dysregulation with Dr. Diane King-Shaw May 06, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Diane King-Shaw to explore what it looks like to return to the classroom after dysregulation and how to support both students and teachers in that process. From re-establishing a sense of safety to navigating the emotions that linger after challenging moments, this conversation highlights the importance of intentional repair.

Dr. King-Shaw shares practical ways to support re-entry, including regulating yourself first, creating space for students to process what happened, and restoring the classroom environment so it feels safe and predictable again. We also explore how anxiety and dysregulation can show up more quietly, as well as how behaviors can spread within a classroom and what educators can do to support the whole group.

Learn more about Heggerty!

Visit Heggerty.org for FREE Resources and to download samples of our curriculum.
Follow us on Social Media
Want to keep in touch and be the first to know about new episodes, sign-up for our newsletter here!

Series 8: Ep. 4- When Dysregulation Disrupts Learning: What Educators Can Do with Kai-leé Berke Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we continue the conversation with Kai-leé Berke, shifting from understanding dysregulation to what it looks like in real classroom moments and how educators can respond. From disengagement and avoidance to more outward behaviors, we explore the many ways dysregulation can show up, especially during challenging tasks like literacy instruction.

Kai-leé shares practical strategies including identifying your own “button pusher” behaviors, using simple regulation practices in the moment, and recognizing when students are avoiding participation as a way to cope. We also dive into prevention through classroom routines, confidence-building language, and predictable structures that help students feel safe and ready to learn.

Learn more about Heggerty!

Visit Heggerty.org for FREE Resources and to download samples of our curriculum.
Follow us on Social Media
Want to keep in touch and be the first to know about new episodes, sign-up for our newsletter here!

Series 8: Ep. 3- What’s Behind the Behavior? Understanding Dysregulation in the Classroom with Kai-leé Berke Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we sit down with Kai-leé Berke to unpack what dysregulation can look like in the classroom and what educators can do in the moment. While understanding the “why” can be helpful over time, this conversation emphasizes that the first step is always to de-escalate and support students in returning to a regulated state.
Kai-leé walks through practical strategies, including staying regulated as the adult, ensuring safety, using reflective listening, and helping students build awareness and replacement behaviors. Together, these approaches highlight the power of relationships and show how connection, not correction, creates the conditions for meaningful learning.

Learn more about Heggerty!

Visit Heggerty.org for FREE Resources and to download samples of our curriculum.
Follow us on Social Media
Want to keep in touch and be the first to know about new episodes, sign-up for our newsletter here!

S8E2: The Power of Connection Within Instruction Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

The most powerful learning moments in every classroom don’t start with instructional content–they start with connection. For children, learning does not take place in isolation—it happens in the context of relationships. This session explores how secure relationships and stable environments create the conditions students need to engage, persist, and learn, especially during literacy instruction. Drawing on research that shows emotional regulation is shared between teachers and students, educators examine how predictability, trust, and adult regulation can help to shape classroom climate. Through reflection and practical strategies, participants learn how intentional routines, relational practices, and environmental stability support both student learning and teacher capacity.

Learn more about Heggerty!

Visit Heggerty.org for FREE Resources and to download samples of our curriculum.
Follow us on Social Media

Learn more about Heggerty!

Visit Heggerty.org for FREE Resources and to download samples of our curriculum.
Follow us on Social Media
Want to keep in touch and be the first to know about new episodes, sign-up for our newsletter here!

S8E1: A Regulated Classroom: Preparing Every Child to Learn, Read, and Thrive Dec 03, 2025

Show notes

The webinar recording can be accessed here.

Every teacher has seen it—a student who can’t focus, can’t follow, or can’t find calm enough to learn—no matter how strong the instruction. This edWeb podcast introduces the concept of learning readiness through regulation—how emotional, cognitive, and relational factors shape students’ capacity to access and retain foundational literacy skills.

We explore how regulation is the bridge between ability and achievement, and how teachers can weave readiness practices into daily instruction without adding more to their plates. By connecting the Science of Reading with the Science of Learning, educators discover practical ways to create calm, connected, and learning-ready classrooms where every child can thrive.

Join Kai-leé Berke, educator and early learning leader, Dr. Diane Davison King-Shaw, Clinical Director of the Lourie Center School and expert in trauma-informed education, and Heather Minter, Resilient Learning and Well-Being Consultant, who translate these ideas into practical classroom strategies. Moderated by Marjorie Bottari, this conversation helps educators understand how readiness and regulation unlock every student’s potential—transforming not just how we teach, but how students experience learning.

Learn more about viewing live edWeb presentations and on-demand recordings, earning CE certificates, and using accessibility features.

Learn more about Heggerty!

Visit Heggerty.org for FREE Resources and to download samples of our curriculum.
Follow us on Social Media
Want to keep in touch and be the first to know about new episodes, sign-up for our newsletter here!

S7E7: Reimagining Literacy Leadership- Dr. Nell Thompson on Building Systems That Work for Every Student Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Literacy Lunch Break, host Marjorie Bottari sits down with a nationally recognized educator and literacy expert to explore the true foundations of reading success. They discuss the critical role of oral language, the science behind reading development, and how educators can take actionable steps to support every child’s learning journey. From early intervention to innovative leadership practices, this conversation highlights the impact of curiosity, collaboration, and knowledge in shaping literacy outcomes.

Learn more about Heggerty!

Visit Heggerty.org for FREE Resources and to download samples of our curriculum.
Follow us on Social Media
Want to keep in touch and be the first to know about new episodes, sign-up for our newsletter here!

S7E6: Literacy, Opportunity, and Empowerment: A Conversation with Alvin Irby Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Literacy Lunch Break, we are joined by Alvin Irby, educator, social entrepreneur, and founder of Barbershop Books, for a powerful conversation on advancing literacy equity. Drawing from his experience as a teacher and national thought leader, Alvin shares how his journey shaped a deep commitment to making reading accessible and joyful for all children. We explore the systemic barriers that impact underserved communities, the importance of cultural relevance in the classroom, and practical strategies educators can use to create more inclusive, affirming literacy experiences. Tune in for an inspiring and thought-provoking dialogue that challenges the status quo and uplifts the voices of young readers everywhere.

Learn more about Heggerty!

Visit Heggerty.org for FREE Resources and to download samples of our curriculum.
Follow us on Social Media
Want to keep in touch and be the first to know about new episodes, sign-up for our newsletter here!

S7E5: Tutoring as a Lever for Lasting Change with Dr. Katie Pace Miles Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Literacy Lunch Break, host Marjorie Bottari talks with Dr. Katie Pace Miles, known for her research on high-frequency words and orthographic mapping, about her powerful work with the CUNY Reading Corps. Katie shares how the program, born during COVID, now provides high-impact tutoring to thousands of New York City students while transforming preservice teacher training. Together, they discuss why one-on-one structured literacy support is essential, how tutoring can scale through innovative university partnerships, and the vital role of human connection in helping striving readers thrive. Katie also highlights how educators and universities can access free, research-based resources through the Reading Institute.

Learn more about Heggerty!

Visit Heggerty.org for FREE Resources and to download samples of our curriculum.
Follow us on Social Media
Want to keep in touch and be the first to know about new episodes, sign-up for our newsletter here!

S7E4: Excellence in Learning: How Newport Mesa is Transforming Early Literacy Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Literacy Lunch Break, host Marjorie Bottari sits down with Dr. Lori Hernandez, Director of Teaching and Learning in Newport Mesa School District. Dr. Hernandez shares how her team has created a district-wide culture of literacy that supports every learner, from newcomers and English learners to students in Title I and non-Title I schools. She discusses the district’s strategic rollout of phonemic awareness, phonics, and high-quality instruction, the systems of support built for teachers and administrators, and the powerful mindset shift that all kids can—and will—learn to read. This conversation is packed with insights for leaders and educators committed to equity and excellence in literacy instruction.

Learn more about Heggerty!

Visit Heggerty.org for FREE Resources and to download samples of our curriculum.
Follow us on Social Media
Want to keep in touch and be the first to know about new episodes, sign-up for our newsletter here!

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected