Literacy advocates are asking us all to face an uncomfortable reality: For decades, we’ve done a poor job of teaching children how to read in this country, and the widening gap in literacy is most apparent among our Black, Latino and Native American young people. The good news is that we now know many the sources of our problems with literacy instruction, and advocates have both the policy solutions and new curricula to tackle the issue head on. Gloria speaks with panelists Jamila Newman of TNTP (formery The New Teacher Project, and Rebecca Kockler, Executive Director of Reading Reimagined, about the pitfalls associated with the widely utilized “whole language” model and how we can boost reading skills by teaching things like systematic phonics and deep vocabulary. Thank you to Reading Reimagined and TNTP for making today’s conversation possible. Presented by Neighborhood Villages. Neighborhood Villages is a Massachusetts-based systems change non-profit. It envisions a transformed, equitable early childhood education system that lifts up educators and sets every child and family up to thrive. In pursuit of this vision, Neighborhood Villages designs, evaluates, and scales innovative solutions to the biggest challenges faced by early childhood education providers and the children and families who rely on them, and drives policy reform through advocacy, education, and research. This season was made possible with generous support from Imaginable Futures, a global philanthropic investment firm working with partners to build more healthy and equitable systems, so that everyone has the opportunity to learn and realize the future they imagine. Learn more at www.imaginablefutures.com Check out these resources from today’s episode:  Visit EdReports to read free, independent analysis of the instructional materials being used at your child’s school. Visit TNTP to learn how education advocates are working to ensure that all students get equal access to effective teachers. Laugh, cry, be outraged, and hear solutions! Join our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nooneiscomingtosaveus.  Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/. Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we conclude our national tour, host Gloria Riviera and our partner Latoya Gayle reflect on the lessons learned from advocates and caretakers we met across the U.S. They chat about the inspiration they are taking away from this journey after meeting so many people working to make a difference in the lives of families everywhere. Later in the episode, Gloria and Latoya discuss how you take the lessons learned and get involved in your community, and walk through exactly what to say when you call your legislator to advocate for more childcare. If you’ve ever wondered how to become an advocate but aren't sure where to start, this is the episode for you. Show Notes Presented by Neighborhood Villages. Neighborhood Villages is a Massachusetts-based systems change non-profit. It envisions a transformed, equitable early childhood education system that lifts up educators and sets every child and family up to thrive. In pursuit of this vision, Neighborhood Villages designs, evaluates, and scales innovative solutions to the biggest challenges faced by early childhood education providers and the children and families who rely on them, and drives policy reform through advocacy, education, and research.   This season was made possible with generous support from Imaginable Futures, a global philanthropic investment firm working with partners to build more healthy and equitable systems, so that everyone has the opportunity to learn and realize the future they imagine. Learn more at www.imaginablefutures.com Check out these resources from today’s episode:  Laugh, cry, be outraged, and hear solutions! Join our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nooneiscomingtosaveus.  Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/. Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The tour stops in Denver to learn how advocates are advancing universal pre-k and how they’re working to fill the rest of the child care and early childhood education puzzle so children have robust support from ages birth to five. We meet panelists Natriece Bryant, public private partnership director for the Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration; Lorena Garcia, representative for the 35th District in the Colorado House of Representatives and the executive director for Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition; and Loryn Duke, communications director for Steamboat Ski & Resort.The three panelists speak with host Gloria Riviera about collaborating with lawmakers and the private sector to expand child care options and what creating a child care center at a ski resort, of all places, can teach us about the role employers play in meeting needs of their communities. They also tackle the important role that friend and family care plays in filling in the spaces where there are no licensed child care facilities. Show Notes Presented by Neighborhood Villages. Neighborhood Villages is a Massachusetts-based systems change non-profit. It envisions a transformed, equitable early childhood education system that lifts up educators and sets every child and family up to thrive. In pursuit of this vision, Neighborhood Villages designs, evaluates, and scales innovative solutions to the biggest challenges faced by early childhood education providers and the children and families who rely on them, and drives policy reform through advocacy, education, and research.   This season was made possible with generous support from Imaginable Futures, a global philanthropic investment firm working with partners to build more healthy and equitable systems, so that everyone has the opportunity to learn and realize the future they imagine. Learn more at www.imaginablefutures.com This episode is made possible through the sponsorship and support of Gary Community Ventures. Gary Community Ventures combines the power of impact investments, policy and advocacy, philanthropic grants and new solutions to increase opportunities for Colorado kids and families. We’d also like to thank our host, Rocky Mountain PBS, as well as the Colorado Children’s Campaign and EPIC for their collaboration in making this event possible. Check out these resources from today’s episode:  Visit Gary Community Ventures to learn about the work of improving access to child care and preschool efforts in Colorado. Laugh, cry, be outraged, and hear solutions! Join our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nooneiscomingtosaveus.  Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/. Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Throughout the tour, New Mexico has been held up as the shining example of communities coming together to energize voters and pass funding for early child care. For over a decade, organizers worked tirelessly to pass a constitutional amendment which increased funding for early childhood education. This week, we meet panelists Trisha Moquino, founder of Keres Children’s Learning Center, a not-for-profit educational organization that supports Cochiti Pueblo families; Elizabeth Groginsky, cabinet secretary for early childhood education for New Mexico; and Javier Martinez, an attorney and Speaker of the House in the New Mexico Legislature. The three panelists speak with host Gloria Riviera about how advocates built a grassroots movement for 12 years, making the state a national leader in child care and early education. They also discussed the importance of creating a culturally aware curriculum and having educators who are well trained in diverse experiences. Show Notes Presented by Neighborhood Villages. Neighborhood Villages is a Massachusetts-based systems change non-profit. It envisions a transformed, equitable early childhood education system that lifts up educators and sets every child and family up to thrive. In pursuit of this vision, Neighborhood Villages designs, evaluates, and scales innovative solutions to the biggest challenges faced by early childhood education providers and the children and families who rely on them, and drives policy reform through advocacy, education, and research. This season was made possible with generous support from Imaginable Futures, a global philanthropic investment firm working with partners to build more healthy and equitable systems, so that everyone has the opportunity to learn and realize the future they imagine. Learn more at www.imaginablefutures.com This episode is made possible through the sponsorship and support of the Hilton Foundation and the Kellogg Foundation.  Check out these resources from today’s episode:  Learn more about the Keres Children’s Learning Center’s educational work with Cochiti Pueblo families. Laugh, cry, be outraged, and hear solutions! Join our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nooneiscomingtosaveus.  Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/. Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The tour makes a virtual stop in Texas to learn how child care and early childhood education advocates are working with business leaders and elected officials across the political spectrum to expand care options for families.  We meet panelists Councilmember Vanessa Fuentes, the representative for District 2 on the Austin City Council; Natalie Boyle, founder and CEO of Mommies in Need; and Sarah Baray, chief executive officer of Pre-K 4 SA, San Antonio’s award-winning early learning program. The three panelists speak with host Gloria Riviera about tailoring solutions to fill the needs of communities across such a vast and diverse state and about how creating a child care center in a hospital not only addressed a critical shortage but also facilitated access to health care. Show Notes Presented by Neighborhood Villages. Neighborhood Villages is a Massachusetts-based systems change non-profit. It envisions a transformed, equitable early childhood education system that lifts up educators and sets every child and family up to thrive. In pursuit of this vision, Neighborhood Villages designs, evaluates, and scales innovative solutions to the biggest challenges faced by early childhood education providers and the children and families who rely on them, and drives policy reform through advocacy, education, and research. This season was made possible with generous support from Imaginable Futures, a global philanthropic investment firm working with partners to build more healthy and equitable systems, so that everyone has the opportunity to learn and realize the future they imagine. Learn more at www.imaginablefutures.com This episode is made possible through the sponsorship and support of Early Matters. Learn more about the Early Matters coalition of business, civic, education, nonprofit, and philanthropic leaders who work together in their regions to solve challenges in early education and child care. Check out these resources from today’s episode:  Visit Pre-K For SA to learn about the work of improving the quality and quantity of pre-kindergarten education opportunities for families. Laugh, cry, be outraged, and hear solutions! Join our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nooneiscomingtosaveus.  Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/. Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.