From “I Can’t” to “I Did It”: Creating Confident Readers in the Early Years

From “I Can’t” to “I Did It”: Creating Confident Readers in the Early Years

What does it take to build confident readers? In this episode of Amira’s Champion Every Voice Podcast, host Jaclyn Wright sits down with Louisiana educator and Amira Champion Olevia Griffin to discuss the critical role early literacy plays in shaping student success. Drawing from her experience as a kindergarten and second-grade teacher, Olevia shares how strong foundations in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension help students become successful readers—and why early intervention matters. You’ll hear how she: 📚 Builds reading confidence through celebration and encouragement 🎯 Uses data to identify and address learning gaps early 🧠 Supports young learners through intentional literacy instruction 🤝 Partners with families to strengthen literacy at home 🎉 Creates school-wide reading celebrations that motivate students to grow 💡 Uses AI-powered learning tools to provide students with additional practice and personalized support One of the most powerful moments in the conversation comes when Olevia shares her philosophy on teaching: “When students are confident, everything else follows.” Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, literacy advocate, or parent, this episode offers practical strategies and inspiration for helping every child become a confident reader. 🎧 Listen now and discover why building reading confidence may be the most important literacy intervention of all. #ChampionEveryVoice #AmiraLearning #EarlyLiteracy #ScienceOfReading #ReadingGrowth #LiteracyLeadership #ElementaryEducation #ReadingConfidence

Teaching for Tomorrow: Agentic Learning, AI, and Student-Centered Leadership with Dr. Jared Bloom

In this episode of Champion Every Voice, Jaclyn Wright sits down with Dr. Jared Bloom, Superintendent of Franklin Square Schools in New York, international education thought leader, and longtime advocate for technology-enabled, student-centered learning. Dr. Bloom shares how schools can thoughtfully integrate AI and agentic learning while keeping trust, safety, educator judgment, and student agency at the center. From his global perspective at BETT UK to his local leadership in Franklin Square, he offers a practical and inspiring look at what it takes to prepare students for their future—not ours. In this conversation, you’ll hear: * Why schools must “teach students for their tomorrow, not ours” * How agentic learning helps meet students where they are * What safe, purposeful AI integration can look like in classrooms * How Franklin Square uses red, yellow, and green guidelines for AI use * Why trust, buy-in, and shared leadership matter for sustainable innovation * How AI can give teachers more time for the human work of teaching * What leaders can learn from global conversations about education and technology This episode is for superintendents, district leaders, principals, instructional coaches, and educators thinking deeply about how to align innovation, culture, and student-centered learning.

Driving Literacy Impact at Scale: Policy, Purpose, and Responsible AI with Joe Siedlecki

In this episode of Champion Every Voice, Jaclyn Wright sits down with Joe Siedlecki, Chief Impact Officer at Amira Learning, to discuss what it takes to drive literacy growth at scale. Drawing from his experience at the Texas Education Agency, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, and now Amira Learning, Joe shares a clear perspective on the national literacy landscape, the gap between policy and implementation, and how responsible AI can support reading growth without adding complexity for educators. In this conversation, you’ll hear: * What literacy impact looks like at scale * Where states are making progress in Science of Reading implementation * Why policy alone is not enough without strong implementation * What responsible, purpose-built AI should look like in literacy * How leaders can evaluate AI tools for safety, evidence, and results * Why coherence, simplicity, and trust matter for teachers and students This episode is for education leaders, literacy advocates, and anyone working to ensure every child has access to the support they need to become a confident reader.

How Multilingual Learners Build Confidence & Fluency | ESL Teacher Desiree Alvarado

What does literacy growth look like for multilingual learners—and how does it change the way students see themselves? In this episode of Champion Every Voice, ESL educator Desiree Alvarado shares how intentional instruction, structured routines, and consistent reading practice help students build both oral reading fluency and confidence. Working with 4th and 5th grade multilingual learners, Desiree offers a real classroom perspective on what it takes to support language development at scale—while preparing students for high-stakes assessments like ACCESS. In this conversation, you’ll learn: • How oral reading fluency supports speaking, listening, and writing development • Why confidence and reduced anxiety are critical for multilingual learners • Practical strategies like visual supports, sentence frames, and structured reading routines • How consistent practice builds independence and student ownership • What it looks like when students begin to see themselves as capable readers You’ll also hear a powerful story of a student whose growth in literacy led to academic success and recognition—proof that with the right support, multilingual learners don’t just improve—they thrive. Key takeaway: When students are given consistent, structured opportunities to practice—and educators partner with them intentionally—literacy becomes a pathway to confidence, voice, and achievement.

When Students Find Their Voice | Monica Brown on Confidence, Communication & Reading Growth

What changes when students start to believe in their own voice? In this episode of Champion Every Voice, Louisiana educator Monica Brown shares what happens when literacy growth goes beyond reading scores—and starts to show up in student confidence, communication, and classroom participation. From students who once stayed quiet to those now raising their hands and speaking with clarity, this conversation highlights the real impact of instruction that builds both skills and self-belief. In this episode, you’ll hear: * How confidence unlocks student voice and participation * What it looks like when students begin expressing their thinking clearly * Why literacy growth shows up across the entire classroom—not just during reading time * A powerful story of a student transformation from silence to confidence These are the moments educators work for—the ones where students don’t just learn to read, but begin to see themselves as capable, confident learners.