Episode #14
Strengthening Literacy Through Science of Reading and Systemwide Support with Beatriz Maldonado
On Leading Engaged Learning, host Miriam Williams sits down with Beatriz Maldonado, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning at Berwyn South School District 100, to explore how districts can successfully shift from balanced literacy to a science of reading approach. With nearly two decades of experience in the district and a background as a bilingual and ELL educator, Beatriz shares how District 100 rebuilt its literacy system by first investing in adult learning. From training leaders and teachers in the science of reading to protecting Tier 1 instruction, redesigning schedules, and using instructional coaches to support implementation, this conversation highlights how systems-level planning can drive meaningful literacy improvement for multilingual learners and all students. Key Moments 05:14 Moving Beyond Balanced Literacy 07:00 Building Adult Knowledge First 09:23 Starting with Foundational Systems 11:12 Misconceptions About Science of Reading 13:00 Instructional Coaches Driving Implementation 16:17 Protecting Tier 1 Instruction 17:20 WIN Blocks for Student Support 20:00 Preparing Leaders for Instructional Change 23:00 Walkthroughs for Curriculum Fidelity 25:40 Supporting Math and Literacy Needs 27:59 Keeping Creativity in Structured Literacy 32:17 Purposeful Technology Use 35:00 Auditing Digital Tools Why You’ll Love This Episode This episode offers a practical look at what it takes to make a major literacy shift stick. Beatriz makes it clear that successful implementation starts long before a new curriculum is adopted—it begins with building the knowledge and capacity of the adults who will lead and teach it. You’ll learn: Why adult learning must come before curriculum implementation How science of reading training helped leaders and teachers build shared understanding Why Tier 1 instruction must be protected before expanding Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports How WIN blocks help students receive targeted support without lowering expectations The role instructional coaches play in building confidence and consistency How leaders can use walkthroughs and data literacy to support implementation Why structured literacy does not have to eliminate creativity or engagement How purposeful technology can support multilingual learners and fluency practice Beatriz also reinforces a powerful idea: what we do for one student, we must do for all. Equity, access, and high-quality instruction are not optional—they are the foundation of meaningful literacy improvement. Connect with Our Guest Beatriz Maldonado Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning, Berwyn South School District 100 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beatriz-maldonado-310 Webiste: https://www.bsd100.org/ Connect with Us 3P Learning Inc Website: https://www.3plearning.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3p-learning About Leading Engaged Learning Leading Engaged Learning is a podcast series for district leaders and education innovators focused on what it really takes to improve literacy outcomes by strengthening student engagement. Hosted by Miriam Williams and produced by 3P Learning Inc, each episode explores the real-world decisions, constraints, and tradeoffs behind building systems that help students become more confident readers.
