The Word Well: Why Language Is the Foundation of Literacy with Dr. Terrie Noland
Before students become readers and writers, they are speakers and listeners. In this episode, Dr. Terrie Noland explores oral language as the true foundation of literacy—what she calls the “word well.” She shares how language shapes the brain for reading, why it must be intentionally developed, and how educators can build stronger outcomes through purposeful talk in everyday instruction.
Thought Leader: Dr. Terrie Noland
Dr. Terrie Noland, CALT, is a literacy leader who challenges the status quo and pushes educators to rethink what it truly takes to change reading outcomes. A former teacher, school leader, and executive leader at a national nonprofit, she connects classroom practice, leadership decisions, and large-scale implementation in ways that move systems. She is a leadership-certified speaker, mentor, and author of a chapter on leadership in the May 2026 release of “Reading Isn’t Optional”.
Get to Know the Host: Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift
Cheryl holds a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership, is a distinguished educational leader, and has been recognized with multiple awards for her achievements. She served as the lead curriculum developer for Learning Without Tears' Get Set for School Language and Literacy curriculum, which received an AEP Distinguished Achievement Award, and was awarded the Investors Bank Educator of the Year Award.
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