Successes and Challenges of the PAF Reading Program with Magdalena Zavalia

More Than a Test

In this episode, host Laura Glaab engages in an enriching conversation with the CEO of the PAF reading program, Magdalena Zavalia. Together, they explore the challenges and triumphs of bilingual education, the importance of effective literacy programs for Spanish-speaking students, and the impact of government intervention on education. Zavalia shares her journey from a successful law career to becoming an advocate for empowering teachers and improving reading instruction. Join us as we uncover the crucial role of commitment, long-term support, and culturally responsive teaching methods in shaping successful literacy initiatives. This episode offers a deep dive into the PAF program's expansion in the United States and Argentina, its impact on student outcomes, and the ongoing research and collaboration to further enhance its effectiveness. So sit back, relax, and get ready to discover how education is truly more than just a test.

Timestamps

00:00 Teachers in Argentina work tirelessly and face challenges.

04:28 Teachers appreciate professional development and guidance.

06:48 Zavalia discusses how they got started at PAF.

10:35 PAF instruction in schools yields positive results.

15:27 Praise for impressive results in educational research.

17:38 Implementing new teaching methods requires commitment and patience.

21:17 Zavalia discusses how English is opaque, and how Spanish is transparent.

25:15 Debate on best bilingual education model in US

28:19 Structured handwriting instruction vital for effective reading.

31:01 Zavalia discusses their long career that spans many countries.

33:37 Teachers developed the PAF program to help students.

43:21 Zavalia discusses how reading a book in their 8th grade shaped their view of the United States.

Connect with Magdalena Zavalia

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/magdalena-zavalia-153330164/

Website: https://www.pafprogram.com/

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About More Than a Test

Our goal is to take a hard look at the shortcomings in literacy education and tech while still finding a sense of hope in what's possible in education through learning and technology.

Our guests include non-profit leaders, tech CEOs, state and district leadership, research leaders from top institutions, and a few teachers with stories that might bring you to tears.

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0JWhVG2nXZfC3FxOviFoR0

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-than-a-test/id1685012543

Listen on Other Platforms: https://more-than-a-test.captivate.fm/

About Amira Learning

Amira is the world’s first intelligent reading assistant that provides personalized tutoring to students at school, after school, or home. Students working with Amira experience significant improvements in their reading fluency.

About your Host, Laura Glaab

Laura Glaab is a VP of Strategy at Amira Learning. She is a lifetime educator following behind educator parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

She's worked as a teacher and leader in public, private, and charter schools in places as far as India and as close to home as Boulder, Colorado. She holds degrees from Stanford, the University of Wyoming, and Kellogg School of Management.

Everyone should read Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw and the entire Piggie and Elephant Collection by Mo Willems.

Connect with Laura

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-glaab/

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Produced by Old Soul: https://bit.ly/3KuYfrD