On Leading Engaged Learning, host Miriam Williams sits down with David Moyer, Superintendent of Northport-East Northport Union Free School District, to explore what it takes to build a truly coherent literacy system across all grade levels.
With over 16 years of experience as a superintendent and a career spanning multiple roles in education, Moyer shares how districts can move beyond fragmented practices by focusing on Tier 1 instruction, teacher collaboration, and system-wide alignment. From redefining literacy as a shared responsibility across all content areas to implementing professional learning communities and interdisciplinary instruction, this conversation highlights how intentional systems and strong instructional practices can drive meaningful literacy gains.
Moyer also emphasizes the importance of assessment practices, teacher development, and student-centered learning in closing gaps and improving engagement, especially as student needs continue to evolve.
Key Moments
05:27 Rigor Gaps and Literacy Plateaus
07:23 Literacy Across All Subjects
10:27 Building Teacher Capacity
12:28 Power of Professional Learning Communities
14:03 Interdisciplinary Literacy in Action
16:39 Tier 1 Instruction First
20:09 Student Ownership and Engagement
21:45 Balancing Curriculum and Professional Judgment
23:34 Writing as a Literacy Driver
26:05 Rethinking Interventions (All Students, Shared Responsibility)
27:23 Professional Development Systems
30:37 Instructional Coaching Impact
34:28 Leadership Capacity First
35:46 Future-Focused Learning Systems
39:10 Advice for New Superintendents
Why You’ll Love This Episode
This episode offers a systems-level perspective on literacy that goes beyond programs and quick fixes. David Moyer makes it clear that lasting improvement comes from building coherence—aligning instruction, assessment, and professional learning across the entire district.
You’ll learn:
- Why Tier 1 instruction is the foundation for all literacy success
- How professional learning communities drive collaboration and instructional consistency
- A practical approach to embedding literacy across all subject areas
- Why assessment practices can either accelerate or hinder student growth
- How interdisciplinary learning increases engagement and relevance
- The role of instructional coaching and job-embedded professional development
- Why leadership capacity is critical for sustaining system-wide change
Moyer also reinforces a powerful idea: literacy success isn’t owned by one teacher or subject—it’s a shared responsibility that requires alignment, collaboration, and a strong instructional core.
Connect with Our Guest
David Moyer
Superintendent, Northport-East Northport Union Free School District
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 Miriam Williams 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.