Learn how a rural, high-poverty, school with a large minority population implemented systematic reading instruction and increased engagement during a global pandemic. While teaching students from low socioeconomic status, English Language Learners, and students with disabilities, I saw firsthand the barriers that these students faced to building foundational literacy skills. Building these crucial reading skills in class was already challenging, but the global pandemic added many new obstacles. The inequities between households became more apparent, and increasing student and parent engagement was more important than ever in a remote environment. Hear my journey in navigating these challenges while implementing a multi-sensory phonics approach that is explicit, systematic, highly engaging, and research-based. I will share sample lessons and data that show how the lessons learned during the pandemic can continue to improve reading instruction and engagement in a post-pandemic world.