
There’s Always More to Learn: A Second Grade Teacher’s Science of Reading Journey
The Reading SymphonyShow Notes
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.
📩 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 Meghan Hein Meghan is a second-grade teacher in San Diego, California, with more than two decades of experience in education. Through her Instagram account, Always More to Learn, she shares practical literacy strategies, classroom experiences, and resources grounded in the Science of Reading.
Connect with Meghan Meghan’s Instagram Meghan’s Learning Library
Chapters 00:00 – Why an Experienced Reading Teacher Had to Rethink Everything 00:38 – Meet Meghan Hein 01:50 – Meghan's Journey Into the Science of Reading 04:00 – What Teacher Preparation Didn't Teach About Reading 06:00 – Helping Struggling Readers With Decoding 09:00 – Supporting Reading Practice at Home 12:00 – Addressing Gaps in Foundational Reading Skills 15:00 – Recognizing Reading Difficulties in Your Own Child 17:49 – Questions Parents Should Ask Teachers 20:00 – What Effective Literacy Instruction Looks Like 23:00 – Building Strong Parent-Teacher Partnerships 27:00 – Advocating for Better Reading Instruction 30:00 – Helping Children Develop a Love of Reading 33:00 – Building Comprehension and Reading Fluency 35:00 – Simple Reading Strategies Parents Can Use at Home 38:00 – Where to Find Meghan and Her Literacy Resources Subscribe to The Reading Symphony for conversations about evidence-based reading instruction, literacy development, and helping every child become a stronger reader. #ScienceOfReading #ReadingInstruction #TeachingReading #LiteracyEducation #TheReadingSymphony
More from The Reading Symphony
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.
In this episode of The Reading Symphony Podcast... Katie talks with Dr. Stephen Ciullo, Professor of Education, about what effective writing instruction actually looks like - and why many students, particularly struggling writers and students with learning disabilities, may need more explicit support.