Collaborating for Better Literacy with Karen Dudek-Brannan

SEEing to Lead

Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan is the founder and owner/operator of Dr. Karen, LLC, a company focused on empowering therapists and educators to design interventions that support language, literacy, and executive functioning. She has a doctorate in Special Education and Director of Special Education and Assistive Technology credentials from Illinois State University, as well as a master’s and bachelor’s from Illinois State University in speech-language pathology. She spent 14 years in the school systems and has held various roles in leadership and higher education teaching and mentoring clinicians. She is the host of the De Facto Leaders podcast, where she shares evidence-based practices, her own experiences, and guest interviews on topics relating to education and healthcare reform. She currently holds a management role with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

***SPECIAL***
This episode is part of the 2024 “National Literacy Month with RIF” campaign, a partnership between the BE Podcast Network and Reading Is Fundamental.

Show Notes:
In this episode, Dr. Karen Dudek Brannon, founder of Dr. Karen LLC, shares her extensive expertise in supporting language, literacy, and executive functioning in educational settings. With a strong background in special education and speech language pathology, Karen discusses the importance of evidence-based practices in teaching literacy, the role of speech pathologists in the school system, and the need for structured interventions. She also dives into change management and how leaders can implement effective literacy strategies. The episode closes with practical advice for educators and leaders on collaboration and support within the school environment.

Bookmarks:
00:00 Introduction to Dr. Karen Dudek Brannon
01:26 Karen's Passion for Literacy
02:26 Challenges in Language Therapy
03:30 Collaboration in Education
04:58 Importance of Literacy in Schools
05:52 Fitting into the Bigger Picture
09:50 Effective Literacy Interventions
15:33 Implementing Tiered Interventions
18:25 Change Management in Education
23:43 Advice for Educational Leaders
29:15 Resources and Final Thoughts

If you've enjoyed this episode, we'd love to have you as a subscriber! You'll get more conversations about literacy, as well as leadership solutions. You can also learn more about the other BE Podcast Network shows at https://bepodcast.network and learn more about Reading Is Fundamental at www.rif.org

Don’t Forget to Review the Show!

I appreciate you checking out the episodes. I would mean a lot to me if you took a minute right now to subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, or wherever you listen! It helps the show out a lot!

Who am I?

I’ve been an educator in Massachusetts for 23 years. I’m finishing my 16th year as a building leader. I’m a teacher centered Principal and passionate about continuous improvement and the idea that success is not a destination, but a process. I’m active on social media, vlog about continuous improvement on a weekly basis, and wrote a book also called SEEing to Lead as a way to help everyone improve education as a whole by promoting my “just cause”: improving the educational experience for as many people as possible by being purposeful, acting with integrity, and building character.

SEEing to Lead Extras!

Like the content, want to be a guest, or know someone who would? Reach out to me on Twitter at @DrCSJones

Have you taken the time to order and read my latest book! Seeing to Lead is filled with practical resources and personal stories to help you support, engage, and empower those you lead no matter your position!

Jimmy Casas said, "If you are a leader who is looking to support, engage and empower your staff, then SEEing to Lead, by Dr. Chris Jones, is a book you will want to pick up and read. Dr. Jones reminds us that building capacity and helping others achieve personal success is the key to elevating your organization and leaving a lasting impact."

Get your copy here! Don't forget to leave a rating and review for others. I would appreciate it!

Subscribe to My Newsletter! We are all busy, often unsupported, and struggle to stay engaged! Here is a weekly resource that has something to support, engage, and empower you. Not to mention it saves you time by getting to the point! Increase your focus and become a better leader; no matter your position. Check it out here!

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.