7.18 Season 7 Finale

7.18 Season 7 Finale

Author: Shannon Betts and Mary Saghafi July 12, 2025 Duration: 31:40

Shannon and Mary look back over Season 7 and reflect on what really matters for our reading students.   "The right things for our learners" emerged as the unofficial theme of our seventh season. This phrase encapsulates what each of us strives for – cutting through the noise to identify the most impactful practices for the unique students in front of us.

The conversations with our guests this season revealed a common thread: the need to simplify and focus on what's most important. In this episode, Shannon and Mary share some of their key takeaways from the discussions with the podcast guests over the course of the season.  They also provide details about the professional learning they've done over the past year,  changes they've made in their own teaching practices, and new resources they're using with their students.  

We want to hear from YOU in Season 8! If you're interested in joining us as a guest to discuss real classroom experiences, email us at team@readingteacherslounge.com or reach out through our social media handle @ReadingTeachersLounge


LINKS FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

  1. Magic School AI
  2. Chat GPT (Mary uses for decodables)
  3. Dyslexia GA DOE resources
  4. Season 7 overall link
  5. SWI resouces
  6. Uncovering the Logic of English by Denise Eide *Amazon affiliate link
  7. All About Spelling
  8. Spelling for Life by Lyn Stone *Amazon affiliate link


Support the show



In the Reading Teachers Lounge, hosts Shannon Betts and Mary Saghafi pull up a chair for a conversation that feels both deeply professional and warmly familiar. These two elementary reading teachers and Atlanta neighbors discovered a shared, fervent passion for literacy over a local dinner, realizing they were kindred spirits in their mission. That initial chat never really ended, and now it forms the heart of this podcast. Each episode invites you into their ongoing dialogue, where practical classroom strategies, reflections on what works, and thoughtful discussions about reaching every single learner are all on the table. It’s a space designed for fellow educators, dedicated parents, and anyone invested in how children learn to read, offering tangible ideas rather than abstract theory. The tone is collaborative and grounded in real classroom experiences, reflecting a joint belief that literacy is foundational. By tuning in, you gain access to their collective experience and earnest curiosity, all focused on the complex, rewarding world of teaching reading. This isn't about performance; it's about sharing a genuine professional conversation from their lounge to yours, making the Reading Teachers Lounge a unique podcast for those who live and breathe language education.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 129

Reading Teachers Lounge
Podcast Episodes
Season 3 Finale [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:07
In this episode, Shannon closes out the third podcast season. She describes the struggles from the 2020-2021 school year and shares what's coming next for the podcast in Season 4. Resource Links:1. Boundaries podcast epi…
Auditory Learners [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:54
This title continues our multi-sensory series. In this episode, Shannon shares the characteristics of auditory learners. She gives some strategies and resources for incorporating more auditory practice in your literacy i…
Making the Most of Your Online Reading Instruction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:57
Shannon and Mary chat with Maria Halkias about her on-line reading instruction. They talk about parent engagement with virtual instruction, teaching challenges during these unprecedented times, and what resources have be…
Visual Learning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:37
Shannon and Mary continue the discussion about multisensory reading instruction. This episode focuses on strategies for visual learners.Resource Links:New Girl Youtube clip (Visual Learning chant)The Visual LearnerTips f…
Make It Multisensory [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:36
Multisensory learning is something we have been preaching for a long time. It's time it deserved it's own episode. Shannon and Mary discuss the importance of when and how to implement multi sensory learning strategies. R…
It's Time to Talk About Dr. Seuss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:29
Shannon and Mary explore how to start conversations about sensitive topics surrounding race, inequality, apathetic attitudes and apologism related to books. They discuss the controversy surrounding Dr. Seuss. Dr. Seuss i…
Books as Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Doors (Diverse Books) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:18
Shannon and Mary open the season with a discussion about the importance of books to represent the diversity of our students giving them an opportunity to see themselves in books and opportunities to view other cultures,…
Season 2 Finale [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:00
Shannon and Mary catch up after their Season 2 hiatus to discuss Quarantine Life, Home Learning, and what's next.RESOURCE LINKS: COME JOIN THE CONVERSATION!Our WebsiteFacebookInstagramShannon's TpT StoreSupport the showG…
We love FCRR! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:22
Are you familiar with the FCRR? They have done incredible work making free effective research-based literacy activities. The centers include directions for teachers and all the necessary materials. They are mostly print…