Using PLC Time to Support Literacy Instruction

The idea of improving schools by developing professional learning communities (PLCs) has been in vogue since the early 2000’s. Rick DeFour, sometimes referred to as the godfather of PLC, has long noted that some educators use the term PLC to describe any kind of meeting, or as he put it “every imaginable combination of individuals with an interest in education”...
Joan Sedita | September 27, 2016 | 1 Comment
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Teachers Deserve More Time for Professional Development

I love the work I do: helping teachers develop instructional practices to improve student literacy skills. But sometimes it is frustrating, especially because too often these teachers are not given sufficient support and time for the kind of PD activities that they need in order to truly change their instructional practices. Other fields such as social work and the medical profession require professionals to receive ongoing training that includes job-embedded follow up PD. Why is it that resources, including time, for teacher PD is often an after-thought in many schools and districts? Why is it that funding for PD is the first to be cut, even though we know that having high-quality teachers is the best way to improve student achievement, and that quality PD is the only way to create high-quality teachers?...
Joan Sedita | March 1, 2016 | 0 Comments
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“Voice of Literacy” Podcasts

I’d like to share a resource I recently found that archives podcasts related to literacy. On the Voice of Literacy site, Dr. Betsy Baker (Associate Professor of Literacy studies at the University of Missouri) posts bi-weekly podcasts of interviews of researchers as they discuss the implications of their literacy research. Most podcasts range from 10 to 12 minutes long, and are archived back to 2008. I can’t believe I am just finding out about this resource!....
Joan Sedita | March 24, 2015 | 0 Comments
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Designing Effective PD for Teachers

Keys to Literacy draws on a large body of research about effective design of teacher professional development. Collectively, this research is often referred to as “Implementation Science”. This post is devoted to sharing resources for this research.

The ultimate goal of literacy professional development for teachers is for students to improve their reading and writing skills. Before this goal can be met, three stages must be completed......
Joan Sedita | February 27, 2015 | 0 Comments
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The Secret to Great Coaching

The June, 2014 issue of JSD : The Learning Forward Journal had a good article about coaching, written by Les Foltos: The Secret to Great Coaching – Inquiry Method Helps Teachers Take Ownership of Their Learning.

The article addresses school coaches in general, but I think its message is important to literacy coaches, including educators who are trained to be building coaches for Keys to Literacy professional development programs.

Foltos starts the piece with a common question raised by new coaches: When can I share my experience and expertise with teachers I am coaching to help them improve?.......

Joan Sedita | October 23, 2014 | 0 Comments
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ACCESSING KEYS TO LITERACY PD DURING SCHOOL CLOSURES

We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and the impact on our employees and the schools where we provide professional development.

During this time period when onsite, face-to-face training and coaching is not possible, we offer multiple options for accessing our literacy PD content and instructional practices.

If you are a current or new partner, explore our website or contact us to learn more about:

info@keystoliteracy.com
978-948-8511