Leading Literacy:
Conversations with District Leaders
OnYourMark CEO Mindy Sjoblom interviews superintendents transforming early literacy. Watch, listen, and learn from district leaders implementing proven strategies at scale.
Early literacy improvement doesn't happen by accident—it requires intentional leadership, proven strategies, and a willingness to learn from those doing the work. This series brings you inside real conversations with superintendents leading literacy transformation in their districts. Hear their challenges, their breakthroughs, and the systems-level changes that are moving the needle for struggling readers.
Mindy Sjoblom, CEO of OnYourMark Education, knows the literacy challenge from every angle. As a former teacher, teacher preparation leader, and parent of a child with dyslexia, she brings both professional insight and personal understanding to these conversations. Her work supporting districts nationwide with high-impact tutoring gives her a unique perspective on what works—and what doesn't—when it comes to accelerating early literacy growth.
Contents
Literacy Growth Starts at Tier 1: How Two Leaders Built Systems That Support All Readers
Dr. Jerry D. Hollingsworth, Superintendent
Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District | Fort Worth, Texas
Key Takeaways
1: Tier 1 Instruction Must Be Strong Before Intervention Can Work
Dr. Hollingsworth reveals that Eagle Mountain-Saginaw discovered they were over-identifying students for special services because their Tier 1 instruction wasn't strong enough. Mindy's key insight: "You can't intervene your way out of a Tier 1 problem"—a reminder that consistent, high-quality classroom instruction is the foundation for all student success.
2: Removing Variability is Critical in Diverse, Growing Districts
As districts grow and demographics shift, the "Ms. Sjoblom and Mr. Hollingsworth teaching the same subject differently" approach no longer works. Consistency in instructional materials and approach becomes essential when you can no longer assume students arrive with the same foundational skills.
3: Clear, Measurable Goals Drive Organizational Change
Eagle Mountain-Saginaw condensed their entire district improvement plan into a single-page balanced scorecard with one top priority: every student grows at least one year, every year. This clarity—reported monthly to the board—ensures all 3,500 staff members know what matters most.
4: Personal Experience With Struggling Readers Fuels Urgency
Both Dr. Hollingsworth (father of two sons with dyslexia) and Mindy (mother of a son diagnosed at 13) share how watching their own children struggle created a deeper understanding of the parent experience and strengthened their commitment to early literacy intervention.
5: High-Quality Instructional Materials Are a Recent (and Critical) Focus
Dr. Hollingsworth shares a striking realization: Robert Marzano's 2012 book on instructional leadership never mentioned materials quality. The shift toward focusing on high-quality, grade-level instructional materials represents a fundamental change in how districts approach literacy improvement.
Next episode coming soon!
Dr. Jerry D. Hollingsworth, Superintendent
Key Takeaways
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