Literacy Reform in Action: A Principal’s Story of Change and Community

In today’s episode, host Jeff Pendleton welcomes Lana Ingram, principal at Harding Charter Preparatory Elementary in Oklahoma City, for a deeply insightful conversation.

With over twenty years in education across both public and charter schools, Lana brings a unique perspective to early literacy and foundational skills. She shares her journey from classroom teacher and special education to school leadership, and how her firsthand experiences led her to critically reexamine popular approaches to literacy instruction.

Together, they dive into the “science of reading” movement, discuss what it means to build a school from the ground up with these principles at the core, and explore the evolving challenges educators face, from technology’s impact on language development to bridging the gaps between families, teachers, and universities. Lana also offers a candid look at shifts in instructional mindset and why empowering both educators and parents is critical for student success.

Key Moments
00:00 Charter Schools: Diverse Educational Models
05:56 Harding School Opens for Young Learners
08:56 Reevaluating Special Education Approaches
11:51 Reforming Reading Curriculum Approaches
14:20 Embracing Data-Driven Change
20:24 Founding a Pre-K-2 School
21:51 A La Carte Literacy Approach
26:40 COVID's Impact on Language Development
29:35 "Teachers' Commitment to Student Success"
31:22 Parental Engagement and Child Language

Why You’ll Love This Episode:
Discover what it takes to launch a brand-new elementary school grounded in research, equity, and autonomy, and why Lana believes strong literacy foundations start at age four.

Hear how language deficits post-pandemic are reshaping early childhood classrooms, and what educators can do to support oral language development in every lesson.

Be inspired by Lana Ingram’s bold decision to wipe the slate clean and redesign literacy instruction, leading her team through a complete shift from balanced literacy to a science of reading approach.

Learn how “à la carte” literacy allows teachers to mix phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, and writing tools to meet real student needs, without relying on a single boxed curriculum.

Connect with Lana Ingram
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lanaing/
Website: https://www.hardingcharterprep.org/schools/

Follow Us On
Host LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-pendleton-2a614b26/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindplayeducation/
Company Website: https://mindplay.com/

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