In this special bonus episode, Jesica Glover sits down with Dr. Joyce S. Pickering — a globally respected leader in literacy, learning differences, teacher training, and multisensory instruction. With more than fifty years devoted to helping children with language-based learning differences, Dr. Pickering’s wisdom offers a rare, grounding perspective in the midst of America’s literacy reform movement.
Through deeply personal stories and decades of experience across Montessori, speech-language pathology, and structured literacy intervention, Dr. Pickering reflects on what has changed, what still hasn’t, and what future generations of educators must carry forward. This conversation is equal parts history lesson, masterclass, and call to courage.
If you are a teacher, parent, policymaker, or advocate navigating a system in need of transformation, Dr. Pickering’s voice will feel like an anchor — steady, clear, and profoundly compassionate.
In This Episode, You’ll Hear:
- How Dr. Pickering’s early clinical work led her to Montessori education and eventually to developing the Shelton Model of Education.
- Why she believes today’s reading crisis is both preventable and solvable.
- Her reflections on the rise of dyslexia identification — and the misconceptions that still persist.
- What she’s learned after training thousands of educators in structured, multisensory instruction.
- Her call to parents and teachers: "You are not helpless. Knowledge gives you power — and responsibility."
Key Quote
“If we don’t prepare teachers, we fail children. And when we fail children, it reverberates through their entire lives.” — Dr. Joyce S. Pickering
Call to Action
If Dr. Pickering’s message moved you, please share this episode with one teacher or one parent who needs encouragement right now. And if you’d like to support teacher training or structured literacy efforts in your community, visit the Shelton School & Evaluation Center’s resources to learn more about their impact.
Sources
- Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA). “Luke Waites ALTA Award of Service: Joyce Pickering (2019).” ALTA Awards, https://www.altaread.org/about/alta-awards/ (See Joyce Pickering listed as 2019 recipient). altaread.org+2altaread.org+2
- International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council (IMSLEC). “History & Development.” https://www.imslec.org/history.asp (Includes reference to Joyce Pickering’s role and the development of accreditation and standards). imslec.org+1
- Shelton School & Evaluation Center. “Joyce and Bob Pickering – Donor Story.” https://sheltongiving.org/?pageID=3&storyNum=26 (Bio of Joyce Pickering’s work at Shelton School, her background, and lifelong commitment). sheltongiving.org
- “Spotlight Dr. Joyce Pickering.” Baan Dek, blog post, Oct 2013 (or earlier) — includes early career background, Montessori work, and service history. Baan Dek
- “Training – Shelton School MSLE Training Courses.” PDF catalog describing Shelton’s MSLE courses and Joyce Pickering as Executive Director Emerita and instructor. https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1616609702/shelton/oxbsefo5sstht2qc7ufq/SheltonTraining2021comp4c.pdf Cloudinary
PODCAST MUSIC -
SOUNDSTRIPE.COM Cody Martin - Innovation, Cody Martin - Retro Spirits, Grant Borland - Limitless, Louis Lion - Past Reflections, Markus Huber - Hoping, OneZero - Transcend, Reveille - Blaze of Glory, Shimmer - What We Call Home
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