Literacy education professor begins “Getting Smarter” podcast second season

After a successful first podcast season of interviewing the top minds in the world of literacy education, a Washington State University faculty member is back for a second season.

Margaret Vaughn, a language, literacy, and technology professor in the College of Education, is the creator and host of the "Getting Smarter" podcast.

Vaughn said her goal is to interview critical thinkers and award-winning leaders in literacy education, as well as spark listeners' curiosity, and help them learn something new every episode.

"I started this podcast to advocate for the teaching profession and have conversations with established literacy scholars who have paved the way in the field," Vaughn said. "These scholars have transformed our collective thinking in education."

The first season consisted of 11 episodes, beginning this past spring, and going through the summer. Vaugh said she believes those episodes were successful at giving transformational insights into why education and collaboration is essential to the betterment of our society.

"My aim is for policy makers, literacy scholars, and educators to listen to the podcast and find their own entry point into thinking about how they too can make an impact in their community," she said. "The scholars I have the privilege of interviewing, have spent their careers making conditions better for children and communities. We can listen to their stories and use their knowledge to make a difference around us."

Vaughn joined the College of Education in 2021. She has received a number of awards for her research and scholarship, including a Fulbright Specialist Program award from the U.S. Department of State.

As it did last season, new episodes this season will be released on most major podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.