EP 9: Back to School Literacy: Setting the Stage for Success with Marisa Montalto

Summary
In this engaging episode of Literacy Launchpad: Read, Learn, Grow, host Jose Miguel Longo welcomes Marisa Montalto, an elementary literacy intervention coach at the Syracuse City School District. Together, they explore essential strategies for fostering literacy as children transition back to school, emphasizing the importance of routines and supportive practices at home.

Listeners will gain insights into Marisa's multifaceted role, as she works with reading interventionists across 19 elementary schools, providing professional development, data analysis, and classroom support. Marisa shares her passion for helping students achieve literacy success, highlighting the significance of consistent routines and positive reading habits for children of all ages.

Throughout the episode, Marisa offers practical tips for parents on how to create a conducive reading environment at home, including utilizing community resources like the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and the Libby Library app. She emphasizes the importance of engaging children in reading activities that align with their interests, making literacy a fun and integral part of their daily lives.

Join us for this insightful conversation filled with actionable advice that empowers parents and caregivers to support their children's literacy development as they embark on a new school year. This episode is a must-listen for anyone eager to foster a love of reading and learning in their children!

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Literacy Launchpad

01:45 Introduction of Marissa Montalto, Literacy Intervention Coach

03:10 Marisa's role in supporting reading interventionists

10:45 The impact of technology on literacy coaching

15:20 Creating positive reading habits at home

22:30 Engaging children through their interests

28:05 Communicating effectively with teachers about literacy

35:15 Celebrating progress and success in literacy

40:00 Thank you to our guest, Marisa Montalto

Thank you for tuning in! Remember to subscribe and share this episode with anyone who can benefit from the knowledge and resources discussed. Together, let's continue to read, learn, and grow!

About Our Guest

Marisa Montalto has been a Literacy Intervention Coach in the Syracuse City School District for the past 5 years, supporting over 60 interventionists in 19 elementary schools. She also is the mother of 4 children, ranging in age from 10 to 16. In both Marisa’s professional and personal life, she continues to evolve in her understanding of how to best support students’ literacy development. Prior to being a Literacy Intervention Coach, Marisa was a building coach at 3 SCSD elementary schools, a Reading First & Response to Intervention Coach supporting SCSD and Binghamton City Schools, and started her career as a second grade teacher. Marisa is also a certified LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) trainer facilitator for SCSD teachers, and a favorite part of her job is when she gets to teach intervention groups to model new strategies for teachers to try.

Connect with Us:

Facebook: Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County & Literacy Launchpad Facebook Page

LinkedIn: Literacy Launchpad: Read, Learn, Grow

TikTok: @literacylaunchpad

Pinterest: @literacylaunchpad

Instagram: @literacy_launchpad_podcast

Website: onliteracy.org

**This podcast is sponsored by the Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County**

#literacy #LiteracyLaunchpad #read #learn #grow #syracuse #CNY #onondagacounty #literacycoalition #podcast #education #children #adults #parents #caregivers