Two Gowanda Central School District kindergarten teachers, Kathy Saia and Caroline Ventresca, were recently featured guests on the “Literacy Lunch Break” podcast, discussing their innovative approaches to literacy instruction and the transformative power of collaboration.
Their appearance coincides with E2CCB’s ongoing efforts to strengthen literacy instruction through the Science of Reading, an evidence- and research-based approach to literacy. Saia and Ventresca are also Gowanda representatives for the E2CCB Science of Reading Symposium, a grant-funded initiative aimed at advancing literacy practices across the region by bringing together educators to hear from guest speakers, learn techniques, and share strategies and best practices with their peers.
In the podcast episode titled “Series 6: Ep. 3 – Transforming Kindergarten Literacy in New York,” the teachers shared their experiences co-teaching in an integrated classroom and highlighted the significant student growth they’ve witnessed through their collaborative, data-driven approach, which aligns with the principles of the Science of Reading. They emphasize the impact of explicit instruction in phonemic awareness and writing, noting that one student with a cochlear implant became a reader in just 10 weeks.
“We were struggling to meet the needs of kids getting the Tier I instruction, but weren’t picking up the skills,” Saia said. “And within 10 weeks (after bringing in phonemic awareness instruction) we could not believe the amount of growth that happened.”
The teachers also stressed the importance of creating a safe and supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and celebrating progress. Their insights provide valuable takeaways for educators seeking to enhance literacy instruction and foster a love of learning in young students.
“Last year was probably the best moment of my teaching career,” Ventresca recalled. “We’re talking data with our kids constantly and we conference with them … and we just finished our spring benchmark and one of our lowest babies jumped up huge – we were crying. Our assistant superintendent walked in at this time and one of the students said ‘Did you see Robert’s data and how he went up!?’ That wasn’t by chance, that was because of the constant conversation we have about how we can support each other and fail in a safe space.”
Saia and Ventresca have been meeting with educators from throughout the region for monthly Science of Reading Symposium meetings presented by the Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES Instructional Support & Development team.
“Kathy and Caroline’s work in phonemic awareness is a great example of how educators are leading the way in New York State’s shift toward the Science of Reading,” said Jennifer L. Clark-Saboda, Ph.D., E2CCB Director of Professional Learning & Curriculum Development. “With New York State prioritizing evidence-based literacy instruction and early intervention, their approach demonstrates how research-backed strategies are improving early literacy outcomes.”
The E2CCB Science of Reading Symposium is a yearlong program that provides a collaborative platform for educators across 27 component districts to deepen their understanding of literacy instruction. The initiative features a series of Teacher Liaison meetings led by renowned experts in the field, including Dr. David Kilpatrick, Wiley Blevins, and Tim Rasinski, covering topics like phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, and inclusive literacy practices.
Clark-Saboda further emphasized the importance of teacher leadership and professional development in driving this shift. “Kathy and Caroline’s participation in the Science of Reading Symposium showcases how educators are sharing best practices and learning from each other to elevate reading instruction across the region and state,” she said. “Literacy is the foundation of all learning, and equitable access to evidence-based reading instruction ensures that students, regardless of their background, are empowered to achieve academic success. Through initiatives like the Science of Reading and the RECOV grant, we’re equipping teachers with the tools to improve student outcomes and build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.”
To view the Literacy Lunch Break on Youtube visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3otmTFuNLjQ or search Literacy Lunch Break on Apple Podcasts.
