On Leading Engaged Learning: A 3P Learning Podcast, host Heather Provencher sits down with Rebecca Tompkins, Executive Director of Curriculum & Learning at Sycamore Community Schools, for a systems-level conversation on how districts can strengthen literacy outcomes by building coherence, stability, and sustainable engagement.
Rebecca shares how Sycamore Community Schools in Southwest Ohio has approached science of reading and structured literacy implementation with a focus on fidelity and professional autonomy, using a memorable jazz metaphor to explain how strong fundamentals create the conditions for instructional “improvisation.” The conversation dives into the practical realities of districtwide curriculum alignment, instructional coaching, managing resistance, and building speaking-and-listening skills through Socratic seminars starting as early as kindergarten.
Key Moments
03:30 "Jazz Metaphor for Literacy"
07:16 "District Embraces Science of Reading"
10:04 "Implementing Curriculum with Fidelity"
15:57 "Socratic Seminars in Early Education"
19:24 "Building Alignment and Collaboration"
21:03 "Building a Common Teaching Framework"
27:06 Understanding the Science of Reading
30:27 "Sustainable Engagement in Learning"
33:16 "Connect with Sycamore Schools"
Why You’ll Love This Episode
This episode is a practical playbook for district leaders trying to implement science of reading and structured literacy without burning out teachers or losing momentum after year one.
You’ll hear:
- A clear, memorable way to explain fidelity + autonomy (the jazz metaphor)
- How coherence across buildings reduces cognitive load for teachers and students
- Why instructional coaching is the bridge between training days and real classroom change
- A grounded approach to resistance: treat it as information, respond with support, stay steady
- A powerful definition of engagement that goes beyond novelty to persistence and confidence
- A standout classroom example: Socratic seminars beginning in kindergarten to build thinking, listening, and communication
If you’re aiming for sustainable literacy improvement, this conversation highlights what it takes to build a system that’s consistent, scalable, and supportive of real classrooms.
Connect with Our Guest
Rebecca Tompkins
Executive Director of Curriculum & Learning at Sycamore Community Schools
Connect with Us
About Leading Engaged Learning
Leading Engaged Learning is a podcast series for district leaders and education innovators focused on what it really takes to improve literacy outcomes by strengthening student engagement. Hosted by Heather Provencher and produced by 3P Learning Inc, each episode explores the real-world decisions, constraints, and tradeoffs behind building systems that help students become more confident readers.