ShiftED Podcast #96 In Conversation with Dr. Danielle "Nell" Thompson: Language Is the Foundation

ShiftED Podcast #96 In Conversation with Dr. Danielle "Nell" Thompson: Language Is the Foundation

Language is the foundation. Everything else is built on it. In this episode of the ShiftED Podcast, Chris Colley sits down with Dr. Danielle "Nell" Thompson — literacy leader, coach, and former speech-language pathologist — for a wide-ranging conversation on what really sits at the heart of teaching children to read. Nell traces her thinking back to a moment standing in a museum inside the Arctic Circle, when she realized the Iñupiaq language around her had been oral for thousands of years and only written down within living memory. That single insight reshaped how she sees literacy: as a developmental extension of language itself, not a mechanical skill bolted on top. Along the way, Chris and Nell explore why the post-2000 turn toward the "five pillars" left oral language out of the picture and what it has cost classrooms since. They dig into the difference between consulting and coaching, and why coaching changes who holds the power in a school. They talk about honouring the "Englishes" and language variants children bring with them from home, and about "we're only partially right" as a humble frame for teachers and leaders alike. Nell closes with the paradigm shift she sees coming next: full integration of speaking, listening, reading, and writing across every subject, taught by educators who understand language as the original architecture of the learning brain. "The original architecture of the human brain that we build academic success on is the language architecture." — Dr. Danielle "Nell" Thompson

ShiftED Podcast #95 In Conversation with Morgan Gagnon The $1.5 Billion Question: Quebec's English-French Employment Gap

What if everything you thought you knew about English-speaking Quebec was wrong? In this episode, LEARN sits down with Morgan Gagnon of the Provincial Employment Roundtable (PERT) to unpack a staggering $1.5 billion employment gap between Quebec's English and French speakers—and the myth-busting research behind it. They dig into why language is only part of the story, what the future of work holds amid AI and a shifting economy, and how PERT's mentorship program is closing the gap, one connection at a time. Numbers you'll remember, stories that stick. https://pertquebec.ca [https://pertquebec.ca]

ShiftED Podcast #94 In Conversation with Timothy Shanahan: The Science of Reading, Reconsidered

On this episode of the ShiftED Podcast, Timothy Shanahan joins the conversation to unpack the evolving debate around literacy, reading instruction, multilingual classrooms, and the “science of reading.” Drawing from decades of research and his book Leveled Reading, Leveled Lives, Shanahan explores why strong reading comprehension still sits at the center of critical thinking, digital literacy, and student success. From Québec classrooms to broader global conversations about AI and education, this episode challenges educators to move beyond buzzwords and reconnect literacy instruction to evidence, knowledge-building, identity, and belonging.

ShiftED Podcast #93 Beyond the Hype: AI, Creativity, and Critical Thinking with Nicole Muñoz-Guzman

In this episode of ShiftED, Nicole Muñoz-Guzman brings a grounded perspective to artificial intelligence in Québec’s vocational and adult education settings. Drawing from her work as a pedagogical advisor, she explores how teachers are moving beyond the hype to experiment with AI in practical, meaningful ways. The conversation highlights the importance of creativity, critical thinking, and small, manageable shifts in practice. For educators feeling both curious and cautious, this episode offers a realistic look at how AI can support—not replace—thoughtful teaching and professional growth.

ShiftED Podcast #92 Change Is the Only Constant : Leading a School Board with Cindy Finn

Change is the only constant—and Cindy Finn would know. The Director General of Lester B. Pearson School Board joins Chris Colley to talk leading through chaos, the real story behind the cell phone ban, and why stress in the staffroom shows up in the classroom. Plus: the surprising reason today's students might be the most compassionate generation yet. Honest, hopeful, and packed with insight for anyone who cares about schools.