OnYourMark Podcast

In today’s episode, host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with Kelly Elrod, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Continuous Improvement in Anderson School District 5 (South Carolina).

With 35 years in education—spanning early childhood special education, literacy coaching, school turnaround leadership, and district-level roles—Kelly shares what it takes to rebuild coherent systems after COVID while protecting teachers from overload.

Mindy and Kelly dig into the shift from balanced literacy to the science of reading, why strong Tier 1 instruction matters most, and how Anderson 5 is strengthening support for students—especially in a district with high poverty and a highly transient student population. Kelly also explains how her team is approaching professional development with clarity, consistency, and a focus on the “why,” so teachers know exactly where they’re headed and how they’ll get there.

01:01 Kelly Elrod’s 35-year journey through early childhood, special education, and district leadership

03:12 Leading turnaround work and building school culture from the ground up

06:34 Why districts are striving for coherence after COVID

08:58 Balanced literacy vs. science of reading: what was missing

11:22 Why Anderson 5 is prioritizing 4K instruction

14:10 Addressing foundational reading gaps in middle school

17:05 Managing professional development during large-scale change

20:48 Universal Design for Learning and strengthening Tier 1 instruction

23:20 Change management: starting early and sharing the “why”

26:52 Curriculum fidelity and supporting a highly transient student population

30:30 Rethinking intervention through push-in models and MTSS

35:22 A five-year vision for stronger systems and sustained student support

37:05 What Kelly is reading and what’s next for instructional equity

Why You’ll Love This Episode

If you’re working to strengthen literacy outcomes and protect teacher capacity, this episode will resonate. Kelly offers practical, grounded insight into building district coherence especially in communities with high need and constant change. You’ll hear what it looks like to move from “too many initiatives” to a clear, supportive system where students don’t fall through the cracks and teachers aren’t asked to reinvent the wheel.

Connect with Kelly Elrod
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-elrod-b8384149
Website: https://www.anderson5.net/

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Mindy Sjoblom LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-sjoblom
OnYourMarkWebsite: https://www.onyourmarkeducation.org/
OnYourMark LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyourmark-education

About OnYourMark Podcast
The OnYourMark Podcast is where host Mindy Sjoblom sits down with school system leaders shaping what’s possible for early readers. From high-impact tutoring to building trust with families, each episode dives deep into what it really takes to make early literacy work for every child.

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