Kelly Gallagher
AboutArticle of the WeekDiscussions
Contact Kelly

Digital Discussions

An evolving video series in which Kelly and Penny Kittle talk about all things literacy-related and discuss pressing and transformational topics with literacy education thought leaders.
AboutArticle of the WeekDiscussionsContact Kelly
EPISODE 95
Kelly and Penny visit with Mike Schmoker, author of Focus 2.0 and Results 2.0, to discuss the steps schools can take to help students achieve dramatic improvements.
EPISODE 94
Kylene Beers checks in with Kelly and Penny to discuss the new 20th anniversary edition of her book, “When Kids Can’t Read—What Teachers Can Do.”
EPISODE 93
Responding to feedback from their discussion about the do’s and don’ts of giving effective presentations, Kelly and Penny dive even deeper into the subject, providing additional tips for teachers who are considering presenting to their colleagues.
EPISODE 92
Chris Reed, a high school ELA teacher in New Zealand, discusses some of the similarities and differences of teaching between his country and the U.S.
EPISODE 91
Drawing on their extensive experience as professional speakers, Kelly and Penny share their do’s and don’ts for effectively engaging and informing an audience. This one is a “must see” for anyone who is already doing or thinking about doing presentations.
EPISODE 90
One of Kelly’s most revered mentors, Sheridan Blau, shares a variety of viewpoints that challenge conventional ELA classroom practices, including this intriguing nugget: “A thesis statement shuts down learning.”
EPISODE 89
Special guests Lester Laminack, Katie Kelly and Vivian Vasquez join Kelly and Penny to tackle two big questions: 1) How do we foster critical comprehension in K-6 and beyond? and 2) Why are read-alouds so important at all grade levels?
EPISODE 88
Kelly and Penny talk book clubs and the impact they have on their professional and personal lives.
EPISODE 87
Dr. Keonna White, of Waco ISD, talks with Kelly and Penny about her role in leading and lifting up teachers, as well as the challenges of being a Black educator.
EPISODE 86
Dr. Sawsan Jaber and Zainab Jabak discuss identity, equity, and even teacher bullying—providing fascinating insight into their experiences and observations as Arab American educators.
EPISODE 85
Kelly and Penny restart their discussions by sharing what they have been reading and writing about lately.
EPISODE 84
Kelly and Penny discuss trying to process the tragedy in Uvalde and the role that poetry can play in the healing process.
Spring 2023
Kelly and Penny Kittle are back with their next series of video chats, often featuring special guests.
View Series
Spring 2022
Following the publication of their book, 4 Essential Studies: Beliefs and Practices to Reclaim Student Agency (Heinemann, 2021), Kelly and Penny eagerly embark on a new series of video chats that focus on the ideas and people making a difference in literacy education.
View Series
Spring 2021
Kelly and Penny Kittle pick up where they left off one year after the start of their last video discussion series: Teaching In a Time of Uncertainty. In this new series, Kelly and Penny will explore some of the interesting thinking and ideas to emerge from a year filled with challenges and change.
View Series
Spring 2020
Below are the daily video chats Kelly and Penny Kittle hosted during the first few weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic to share their thinking as education migrated to distance learning.
View Series
Kelly talking to a woman wearing glasses and a maroon top in a classroom setting.

With 35 years of classroom experience, Kelly Gallagher is a leading voice in literacy education. A former high school English teacher, he is a respected author, speaker, and instructional coach known for his practical, research-informed approaches to reading and writing instruction.

Learn More
Arrow