Learn what David Chalk feels is the most important thing for parents and loved ones to do to support a child who is struggling at school.
In this heartfelt, Dr. Kathryn Garforth welcomes entrepreneur and dyslexia advocate David Chalk to share his extraordinary journey—one defined by resilience, curiosity, and the power of unconditional support. Despite facing traumatic experiences in the education system and being told he would never succeed, David went on to become a pilot, tech innovator, radio and TV host, and founder of multiple companies. He candidly describes living with dyslexia, ADHD, and prosopagnosia, and how the lifelong impact of educational trauma shaped his self-worth and drive.
David recounts pivotal moments, from solving an engineering problem no one else could, to learning how to fly without prior experience, and founding a $150 million tech business. He speaks on the importance of living in the present, harnessing flow, and believing in oneself—lessons inspired by his mother’s unwavering support. Kathryn and David also discuss why accurate identification of learning differences is crucial, how trauma can shape identity, and the life-changing experience of finally learning to read as an adult.
Tune in for an inspiring exploration of overcoming adversity, redefining success, and why curiosity and unconditional love are essential for every learner.
Join host Kathryn Garforth as she sits down with Dr. Maria Murray, founder of The Reading League, for an inspiring deep dive into the grassroots beginnings and remarkable growth of this movement that’s transforming literacy education. Dr. Murray shares her journey—from recognizing gaps in how reading science was (or wasn’t) reaching teachers, to coordinating the very first packed live event, to fostering a nationwide network now spanning nearly every state.
Together, they tackle big questions: Why has reading science taken so long to reach the classroom? How can schools, educators, and administrators work together to create lasting literacy change? And what does it take to truly support all learners, not just those with specific diagnoses? Hear behind-the-scenes stories about starting state chapters, launching electrifying conferences, and developing valuable resources like The Reading League’s Compass and curriculum evaluation guidelines.
If you care about literacy, advocacy, and the power of community-driven change, this energizing conversation is for you. Tune in for practical insights, a few good laughs, and a vision of a future where every child—and adult—has the right to read.
🌟 Dr. Maria Murray: My Story🌟
Don't miss the first Episode of Season 6!
Welcome, in this episode I sat down with Dr. Maria Murray, President of The Reading League, for a candid and heartfelt conversation about the state of reading education. Dr. Murray shares her personal journey from history teacher to literacy advocate, opening up about her initial lack of awareness regarding learning disabilities and dyslexia, and the frustration that drove her to spark real change in the field.
Together, Kathryn and Maria pull back the curtain on the persistent gaps between research and classroom practice, reflecting on why so many teacher preparation programs still fail to equip educators with the tools and knowledge grounded in the science of reading. From anecdotes about university roadblocks to the grassroots beginnings of The Reading League, they discuss the urgency of bridging disciplinary divides and ensuring every teacher—and every student—has access to evidence-aligned instruction.
You’ll hear stories about the real-world challenges faced by teachers, the surge of momentum for literacy reform, and the importance of honest, actionable professional development. Whether you’re an educator, parent, or advocate, this episode dives into the passion and perseverance it takes to transform how we teach children to read—and why the work is far from done.
Tune in for inspiration, practical insights, and a glimpse into the future of reading education.
Three fun facts from this episode are:
Dr. Maria Murray helped track down participants from a major dyslexia study 11 years later using creative methods like MySpace!
The Reading League grew rapidly by hosting free, energetic sessions—attracting thousands of teachers, some of whom drove six hours to attend after-school events.
Dr. Murray once handed out so many copies of the National Reading Panel report to her students that UPS would deliver them by the cartload to her office!
Meet Dr. Maria Murray:
Maria S. Murray, Ph.D., is the founder and CEO of The Reading League, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to advance the awareness, understanding, and use of evidence-aligned reading instruction. Before founding The Reading League, Dr. Murray was an associate professor at the State University of New York at Oswego, where she taught courses related to literacy assessment and intervention for ten years. She received her Ph.D. in Reading Education from Syracuse University, where she served as project coordinator for Dr. Benita Blachman’s numerous federally funded early reading intervention grants.
As a nationally recognized expert in the science of reading, Dr. Murray serves on advisory boards and committees for numerous local, state, and national literacy organizations, such as the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities and the Evidence Advocacy Center.
Dr. Murray is passionate about the prevention and remediation of reading difficulty and consistently strives to increase educator knowledge and the connections between research and practice.
You can find more from Dr. Maria Murray on
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-murray-ph-d-734a1973/
Website: https://www.thereadingleague.org/
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would you like a transcript of this episode? Click here
**** Enjoying this podcast? Please share it with someone who would benefit. Also, don’t forget to hit “follow” so you get all the new episodes as soon as they are released. **** Come hang out with me on Facebook or Instagram. Follow me @R2RInitiative to get more practical tools to help you create sustainable clinical medicine in your life. **** Questions? Comments? Want to share how this podcast has helped you? Would you like to join me as a Guest? Shoot me an email at info@right2readinitiative.com I would love to hear from you.
Join host Dr. Kathryn Garforth on the latest episode of the Right to Read Initiative as she sits down with Elise Lovejoy, the founder of Express Readers, to delve into foundational reading skills and the creation of decodable books for young learners. Elise, a seasoned educator and parent, shares her personal journey, enriched by her experience with a neurodiverse family member, and how it has shaped her empathetic approach to teaching. Together, they discuss the transformative power of phonics and the critical role of connecting with students, especially those with neurodiverse backgrounds. Tune in to understand the importance of phonemic awareness, the use of "pseudo words," and the differences in communication styles when teaching young children versus educators. Elise reveals her path from creating classroom resources to establishing a successful business, overcoming challenges with inspiration from significant educational research. She stresses the need for continuous learning, teacher support, and resource availability, advocating for a systemic shift towards phonetically systematic education methods. This episode is filled with valuable insights on the necessity of adaptable teaching practices, the benefits of decodable books, and practical strategies for fostering student engagement in reading. Discover the importance of building trust with students, leveraging collaboration among educators, and the power of personalized education to meet the unique needs of every child. Whether you’re an educator, parent, or passionate about literacy, this episode offers profound discussions and actionable advice to enhance reading education practices.
In this episode of the Garforth Education Podcast, host Dr, Kathryn Garforth is joined by Dr. Nathaniel Swain to delve into the transformative power of active learning in the classroom. Dr. Swain begins with a powerful quote by Anita Archer, "learning isn't a spectator sport," and emphasizes the need for engaging, participatory teaching strategies. From discussions and partner work to mini whiteboard responses and cold calls, discover how these methods foster an environment where students feel safe to take risks and learn from their mistakes. Dr. Kathryn Garforth and Dr. Swain also discuss how to set students up for success by tailoring questions to their readiness during activities, ensuring every learner is motivated and encouraged to participate. The conversation extends into the responsive and adaptive nature of effective teaching, differentiating between biologically primary and secondary knowledge based on David Geary's work, and the significance of explicitly teaching complex skills. Topics covered include cognitive load theory, the distinction between novice and expert learners, and trauma-informed and culturally responsive teaching. Learn how orchestrating success can motivate students, the benefits of high expectations and norms within the classroom, and the practical implementation of scientifically-backed educational strategies. Dr. Swain shares insights from his book, "Harnessing the Science of Learning," which provides foundational knowledge and practical applications for everyday teachers. The episode also explores differentiation in education, balancing teacher autonomy with accountability, and the ongoing nature of educational research. Join us for an enlightening discussion on making teaching both an art and a science, ensuring effective, evidence-based practices that enhance student learning and teacher satisfaction. Dr Nathaniel Swain is a Teacher, Instructional Coach, and Writer. He works as a Senior Lecturer in Learning Sciences at La Trobe University School of Education and SOLAR LAB, and he produces a blog for teachers called Dr Swain’s Cognitorium. Nathaniel has taught a range of learners in schools and universities, and founded a community of teachers committed to the Science of Learning: THINK FORWARD EDUCATORS, now 25,000 members and growing. Dr Swain is a sought after speaker on educational circuits, and has a new book entitled “Harnessing the Science of Learning: Success stories to help kickstart your school improvement”.
In this episode, Lyn Stone joins Dr. Kathryn Garforth to discuss her thoughts on morphology.
In this episode Dr. Kathryn Garforth and Jennifer Jacobsen discuss the strategies and resources that Jennifer uses in her classroom.
In this episode Dr. Kathryn Garforth and Jennifer Jacobsen talk about her journey.
In this episode Dr. Kathryn Garforth and Heather Willms discuss how to support teachers to make the change.
In this episode Dr. Kathryn Garforth and Heather Willms discuss her journey.
In this episode Dr. Kathryn Garforth and Tiffany James discuss her journey.
In this episode Dr. Kathryn Garforth, Tiffany James, and Mike Jones discuss improving literacy for dyslexics.
In this episode Dr. Kathryn Garforth and Elana Gordon discuss her classroom.
In this episode Dr. Kathryn Garforth and Elana Gordon speak about her journey.
In this episode Dr. Kathryn Garforth and Jeremiah Short discuss his approach to teaching.
In this episode Dr. Kathryn Garforth and Jeremiah Short discuss his journey.
In this episode Dr. Kathryn Garforth and Deirdre O'Toole discuss guided reading.
Join Dr. Kathryn Garforth and Rick Moore as they discuss his hopes for the future Rick is a retired bus driver. He and his wife Michelle have been married for 37 years. She still works part time as an assistant librarian for SD #61. They have just become great-grandparents and are about to become grandparents for the 4th time. Rick was born and raised in North Vancouver. His parents both grew up in West Van - before the Lions Gate Bridge was built.