
What Do I Do When My Child Isn't Responding To Traditional Reading Interventions? | Dawn Jagannath
The Reading SymphonyShow Notes
In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast... Katie talks with reading specialist Dawn Jagannath about what happens when struggling readers aren't responding to traditional reading interventions. They explore structured linguistic phonics, speech-to-print instruction, why older striving readers need meaningful "catch-up growth," and how parents can tell whether an intervention is actually working. Dawn also shares practical ways families can support struggling readers at home without turning home into another intervention session.
📩 Subscribe to The Reading Symphony on Substack Get practical literacy tips, science-of-reading insights, and evidence-based strategies to help children become stronger readers. Subscribe here: 👉 https://katiemegrian.substack.com/
👤 About Dawn Jagannath Dawn Jagannath is a reading specialist with more than 20 years of experience as a special educator, classroom teacher, and literacy specialist. She is an EBLI Certified Educator and is currently pursuing her Ed.D. in the Science of Learning at Gordon College.
🔗 Dawn's Links: Website: https://www.jagannathliteracy.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-jagannath-88a225426/ Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction (EBLI): https://eblireads.com/ Reading Simplified: https://readingsimplified.com/
Chapters 00:00 Why Some Struggling Readers Need a Different Approach 00:40 Meet Dawn Jagannath 02:33 From Special Education to Reading Specialist 04:45 Learning the Science of Reading After Graduate School 06:12 What Struggling Looks Like for Older Readers 07:45 Why "Catch-Up Growth" Matters 10:47 What Is Structured Linguistic Phonics? 13:04 How Dawn Discovered Speech-to-Print Instruction 14:34 When More Intervention Isn't the Answer 16:04 Changing How Students See Themselves as Readers 18:24 Why Speech-to-Print Can Be More Efficient 19:18 How the Brain Finds Patterns in Words 24:15 Helping Students Reach "Escape Velocity" 25:11 Moving From Decodable to Authentic Text 28:16 Questions Parents Should Ask Schools 31:10 Helping Older Striving Readers Catch Up 33:21 What Parents Can Do at Home 35:04 Protecting a Child's Identity as a Learner 36:20 Another Tool for Educators and Parents 38:12 Dawn's Future Research Into Linguistic Phonics 40:09 Where to Find Dawn
More from The Reading Symphony
In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast... Katie welcomes Meghan Hein, a second-grade teacher, former reading intervention specialist, and instructional coach with over 20 years of experience in education. Meghan shares how discovering the Science of Reading transformed her approach to literacy instruction, even after years of supporting struggling readers. Together, they discuss why experienced teachers are rethinking reading instruction, how phonics and decoding help children become stronger readers, how parents can recognize potential reading difficulties, and practical ways to support reading fluency at home. They also explore the importance of effective classroom instruction and communication between parents and teachers.
In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast... Katie talks with Kim Lockhart, literacy educator and teacher trainer, about why exposure alone isn't enough to teach children how to read - and how evidence-based instruction, oral language development, and structured literacy can help teachers reach struggling readers. Drawing on 25 years of teaching experience, Kim discusses the Science of Reading, structured literacy, the myth of learning styles, and why explicit, evidence-based instruction is essential for struggling readers. They also explore oral language development, French immersion, and practical ways parents and teachers can support children's literacy.
In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast... Katie talks with Rudo Kashiri, science educator, children’s book author, and former NASA educator, about how science, storytelling, and hands-on learning can help children develop stronger reading skills, build background knowledge, and become more curious learners.
In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast... Katie talks with Dr. Jen O’Sullivan, education researcher and lecturer, about what effective reading instruction looks like beyond phonics - and why strong literacy teaching needs to connect the different skills involved in learning to read.
In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast... Katie talks with Dr. Melissa Orkin, educator and developmental psychologist, about dyslexia, structured literacy, reading fluency, and why the emotional side of learning matters. Melissa explains how motivation, confidence, and a child’s willingness to make mistakes can affect reading development. They explore the difference between intrinsic motivation and rewards, how the RAVE-O approach connects different parts of the reading brain, and practical ways parents and teachers can build stronger readers.