OnYourMark Podcast

In today's episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Jamie Thomas, Managing Director of Program Design and Impact at OnYourMark and one of the organization's founding team members.Jamie shares how her journey from elementary teaching to early childhood program design, instructional coaching, and literacy intervention shaped the work she leads today. Together, Mindy and Jamie reflect on how OnYourMark has evolved over the past five years--from an early idea to supporting thousands of students with targeted literacy intervention. Mindy and Jamie discuss what it really takes to design an effective literacy program: listening to students, tutors, and school partners; grounding decisions in the science of reading; using data to continuously improve; and protecting the relationship between students and tutors. They also explore why early intervention matters, how support needs to change for older struggling readers, and what research has taught OnYourMark about delivering effective and sustainable high-dosage tutoring. Key Moments 01:05 Jamie's path from classroom teacher to literacy program leader 05:37 Designing intervention through research, data, and listening 07:48 How school collaboration improves student outcomes 11:37 Using tutor feedback to strengthen program design 13:07 Listening to student voices in tutoring 15:51 Why early literacy intervention matters 18:03 Supporting older struggling readers differently 23:22 Creating coherence across different literacy curricula 28:46 What research has taught OnYourMark about tutoring 32:58 How OnYourMark trains and develops tutors 35:03 What schools should look for in a literacy intervention partner Why You'll Love This Episode If you care about literacy intervention, high-dosage tutoring, or designing programs that actually respond to student needs, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how OnYourMark approaches the work. Jamie shares why strong program design starts with listening, how research and continuous improvement shape decisions, and why relationships remain essential even in highly structured literacy intervention. You'll also hear practical insight into supporting older struggling readers, building coherence with school partners, and developing tutors who are prepared to deliver strong instruction from day one. Connect with Jamie Thomas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-thomas-1a5a0718 Website: https://onyourmarkeducation.org/ Follow Us: Mindy Sjoblom LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-sjoblom OnYourMarkWebsite: https://www.onyourmarkeducation.org/ OnYourMark LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyourmark-education About OnYourMark Podcast The OnYourMark Podcast is where host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with school system leaders shaping what's possible for early readers. From high-impact tutoring to building trust with families, each episode dives deep into what it really takes to make early literacy work for every child. 👉Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the OnYourMark Podcast for more conversations on literacy, leadership, and lasting change.

In today's episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Melissa Gude, Chief Academic Officer at Little Rock School District in Arkansas. Melissa shares how her path from a nontraditional start in education to district-level leadership shaped her belief in mission-driven work, strong instructional systems, and collective accountability for student outcomes. Mindy and Melissa discuss how Arkansas's LEARNS Act has changed the early literacy landscape, including new third-grade promotion requirements, individualized reading plans, and the statewide ATLAS assessment system. Melissa also explains how Little Rock improved third-grade literacy outcomes by investing in high-quality instructional materials, professional learning, high-impact tutoring, and outcomes-based contracting. Key Moments 00:52 Melissa Gude's journey into education leadership 07:40 How the LEARNS Act changed literacy in Arkansas 12:22 Third-grade accountability and reading success 16:11 Strengthening instruction with high-quality curriculum 18:46 Why outcomes-based contracting works 24:09 Building strong district and school partnerships 27:20 Terry Elementary's literacy success story 30:21 Improving attendance for tutoring success 34:15 Advice for districts implementing high-impact tutoring 38:51 Looking ahead to earlier literacy intervention Why You'll Love This Episode If you care about early literacy, district accountability, or making sure education investments lead to measurable student growth, this conversation offers a practical look at what it takes. Melissa speaks honestly about the opportunities and challenges created by new literacy legislation, the importance of selecting the right partners, and why successful tutoring requires more than purchasing a program. It takes clear expectations, shared ownership, strong school leadership, and consistent communication. Her reflections offer valuable lessons for any district leader working to improve literacy outcomes while making thoughtful and sustainable decisions about resources. Connect with Melissa Gude LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-gude-education Little Rock School District: https://www.lrsd.org/ Follow Us: Mindy Sjoblom LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-sjoblom OnYourMarkWebsite: https://www.onyourmarkeducation.org/ OnYourMark LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyourmark-education About OnYourMark Podcast The OnYourMark Podcast is where host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with school system leaders shaping what's possible for early readers. From high-impact tutoring to building trust with families, each episode dives deep into what it really takes to make early literacy work for every child. 👉Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the OnYourMark Podcast for more conversations on literacy, leadership, and lasting change.

In today’s episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Margaret Marotta, Superintendent of Haverhill Public Schools, and Bonnie Antkowiak, Assistant Superintendent of Haverhill Public Schools. Together, they share how Haverhill is building stronger, more coherent literacy systems across grade levels, from early reading instruction to secondary literacy and high-dosage tutoring. Mindy, Margaret, and Bonnie discuss what makes Haverhill special, including its deep community pride, diverse student population, and strong pathways for educators to grow within the district. They also explore how high-quality instructional materials, thoughtful implementation, MTSS, and tutoring are helping more students access grade-level learning and build confidence as readers. Key Moments 03:22 What makes Haverhill Public Schools special 05:40 Growing educators from within the community 07:40 Supporting diverse learners through cohesive curriculum and MTSS 09:47 Why Haverhill was named a Spotlight District for secondary literacy 10:20 Implementing high-quality instructional materials in high school 12:13 Leading through teacher pushback with flexibility and support 15:18 Supporting struggling readers with interventionists and co-teaching 17:28 Building coherence across K–8 literacy instruction 20:15 Using data to strengthen Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 supports 22:52 How high-dosage tutoring fits into Haverhill’s literacy system 28:08 Student investment and relationships in virtual tutoring 30:02 Funding literacy priorities through grants and community partnerships 32:05 A five-year vision for Haverhill’s literacy outcomes Why You’ll Love This Episode If you care about literacy systems, implementation, and making sure every student has access to strong instruction, this episode offers a practical look inside district leadership. Margaret and Bonnie share how Haverhill is aligning resources to priorities, supporting teachers through change, and expanding reading intervention so more students can grow with confidence. Connect with Margaret Marotta and Bonnie Antkowiak Haverhill Public Schools: https://www.haverhill-ps.org/ Margaret Marotta LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-marotta-smith-47508926 Bonnie Antkowiak LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-antkowiak-8051463b/ Follow Us: Mindy Sjoblom LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-sjoblom OnYourMarkWebsite: https://www.onyourmarkeducation.org/ OnYourMark LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyourmark-education About OnYourMark Podcast The OnYourMark Podcast is where host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with school system leaders shaping what’s possible for early readers. From high-impact tutoring to building trust with families, each episode dives deep into what it really takes to make early literacy work for every child. 👉Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the OnYourMark Podcast for more conversations on literacy, leadership, and lasting change.

In today’s episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Dr. Theresa Rouse, Superintendent of Joliet Public Schools District 86 in Illinois. With more than 30 years in education and 16 years as a superintendent, Dr. Rouse reflects on her journey from classroom teacher to district leader and shares how a commitment to equity, cultural proficiency, and whole-child support has shaped nearly a decade of transformation in Joliet. Mindy and Dr. Rouse discuss the district’s equity journey, the importance of examining personal biases before changing systems, and the intentional literacy strategies helping students recover and accelerate after the pandemic. They also explore the role of music, art, social-emotional learning, and community trust in creating schools where every child can thrive. As Dr. Rouse prepares for retirement in 2027, she reflects on the legacy she hopes to leave behind—and the torch she hopes to pass forward. Key Moments 01:19 Dr. Rouse’s path from classroom teacher to superintendent 03:11 Arriving in Joliet and uncovering the district’s biggest challenge 06:12 Beginning the district’s cultural proficiency and equity journey 08:19 Personal reflection, bias, and leadership growth 09:55 Leading difficult conversations as a new superintendent 12:44 Why meaningful organizational change took two years to build 16:33 Results of the district’s equity-focused approach 20:19 Embedding equity into strategic planning and hiring practices 21:37 What literacy through an equity lens looks like in practice 22:43 Strengthening kindergarten literacy through targeted support 25:28 Recovering from pandemic learning loss and accelerating growth 26:15 Building coherent literacy systems across the district 28:24 Supporting multilingual learners through resources and access 29:49 Selecting and implementing Wit & Wisdom as a core curriculum 31:04 Why social-emotional learning is foundational to academic success 33:33 The role of music and art in educating the whole child 37:30 Preparing for retirement and passing the torch to the next leader 38:21 New schools, facility investments, and leaving a lasting legacy Why You’ll Love This Episode If you care about educational equity, literacy leadership, and creating systems that truly serve all students, this conversation is a must-listen. Dr. Rouse offers a thoughtful and deeply personal perspective on leading change, supporting educators, and ensuring every child has access to the opportunities they deserve. Her reflections on leadership, community trust, and whole-child education provide valuable lessons for district leaders at every stage of their journey. Connect with Dr. Theresa Rouse LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresa-rouse-ed-d-bb65521a Website: https://www.joliet86.org/ Follow Us: Mindy Sjoblom LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-sjoblom OnYourMarkWebsite: https://www.onyourmarkeducation.org/ OnYourMark LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyourmark-education About OnYourMark Podcast The OnYourMark Podcast is where host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with school system leaders shaping what’s possible for early readers. From high-impact tutoring to building trust with families, each episode dives deep into what it really takes to make early literacy work for every child. 👉Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the OnYourMark Podcast for more conversations on literacy, leadership, and lasting change.

In this episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Dr. Toni Jones, Superintendent of Greenwich Public Schools in Connecticut, for a deep and honest conversation about what it really takes to build successful early literacy programs in schools. Dr. Toni Jones shares her remarkable career journey across different states and countries, and how those diverse experiences shaped her commitment to equity in education. Together, they dive into the unique challenges of leading a high-performing yet economically diverse district, facing persistent achievement gaps, and pivoting through the disruptive years of COVID-19. Dr. Toni Jones opens up about the strategic decisions that helped level the playing field for all students, including system-wide literacy initiatives, targeted use of federal funds, consistent implementation of high-quality instructional materials, and innovative tutoring and volunteer programs. Throughout the episode, you’ll hear practical insights on leveraging data, building strong principal leadership, fostering collaboration over competition, and making the most of available resources, no matter the budget. Mindy Sjoblom and Dr. Toni Jones also look ahead to the future of education, exploring the impact of artificial intelligence, the need to prepare students for an ever-changing world, and what’s next for Greenwich’s Achieve 2028 strategic plan. Key Moments 06:21 Improving Literacy Through Phonics 07:45 Balanced Literacy for All Students 10:51 Achieving Literacy Success 14:54 Streamlined Math Resource Adoption 19:14 Greenwich's Strong Volunteer Community 21:10 MTSS Leadership and Power Tutoring 26:29 Strategic Problem-Solving Through Data 29:37 "Resource Allocation for Education Effectiveness" 33:18 Adapting Education for AI Future 36:07 Implementing and Exploring AI in Schools 39:04 AI Translation and Education Tools Why You’ll Love This Episode If you’re working to improve early literacy outcomes without losing sight of equity, this episode is packed with practical insight. Dr. Toni Jones shares how to move from inconsistent practices to a clear, districtwide system that delivers results, especially for students who need it most. You’ll hear how consistency, strategic use of resources, and data-driven decision-making can close gaps, strengthen instruction, and support teachers at scale. Plus, the conversation offers a real look at balancing structure with student engagement, and what it takes to lead meaningful change across diverse schools. Connect with Dr. Toni Jones LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtonijones Website: https://www.greenwichschools.org/ Follow Us: Mindy Sjoblom LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-sjoblom OnYourMark Website: https://www.onyourmarkeducation.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyourmark-education About OnYourMark Podcast The OnYourMark Podcast is where host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with school system leaders shaping what’s possible for early readers. From high-impact tutoring to building trust with families, each episode dives deep into what it really takes to make early literacy work for every child. 👉Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the OnYourMark Podcast for more conversations on literacy, leadership, and lasting change.