2/10/2025

S4E2 Teaching the Teachers With Dr. Adrea Truckenmiller

“Schools and districts really need to … specifically ask their teachers: What are the barriers to putting this in place? What do you need to actually make this happen?”

—Dr. Adrea Truckenmiller

51 minutes

In Season 4, Episode 2, Dr. Adrea Truckenmiller joins All For Literacy host Dr. Liz Brooke for an in-depth conversation about sustainable implementation of research-backed literacy practices in real-world classroom settings.

Truckenmiller currently collaborates with school districts to improve decision-making based on writing and reading assessment within the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support framework, ensuring all students receive equitable access to evidence-based instruction according to their strengths and needs. She shares her expertise with applying the science of reading with listeners, including actionable information about:

Appropriately using assessment to select appropriate and specific interventions
Reframing assessments to better serve all students
Using subskill analysis to better approach instructional targets
Cohesively connecting reading and writing instruction

Tune in to learn how to use proven research-based strategies to improve literacy instruction for all students, and subscribe to All For Literacy to stay up-to-date with new episodes.

Episode Breakdown

(01:03) - Truckenmiller’s path into education

(03:49) - Sustainable implementation of the science of reading

(08:42) - Using assessment to select specific interventions

(12:55) - Reframing assessment to serve all students

(17:46) - Subskill analysis and instructional targets

(21:10) - Improving instruction with the Interactive Dynamic Literacy Model

(27:00) - Using structured/explicit instruction to overcome barriers

(32:56) - Cohesively connecting reading and writing instruction

(40:48) - Finding and systematically filling gaps in curricula/assessments

(45:13) - What makes Truckenmiller hopeful for the future of literacy

About the Guest

Dr. Adrea Truckenmiller serves as an associate professor at Michigan State University, where she conducts research in the Special Education and School Psychology programs. She is also the co-developer of the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Master’s degree program and currently collaborates with school districts to improve decision-making based on writing and reading assessment within the MTSS framework.