Responses to Literacy Coach Memo

There may be some questions regarding the memo that was provided to teachers today requesting volunteers to be trained as literacy coaches in their content area. As chair of the Reading and Literacy Committee, I would like to address some concerns that may arise and offer this blog as a forum for further discussion so that we may ultimately better serve our students.

First, the idea of a content area literacy coach was developed as a result of the types of responses received following the introduction of the District's Literacy Action Plan. As the Reading and Literacy Committee carefully reviewed the responses, the prevailing concern was how were teachers going to be trained and learn the literacy strategies necessary to make the action plan a reality. The committee discussed what the most efficient and best practice professional development plan would accommodate teachers' needs. Therefore, it was decided, by the committee, to focus training on specific teachers who would then train their peers using the time and resources already available. Furthermore, the committee used research to make the decision that peer-to-peer training and collaboration from another expert in the same content area was best practice.

Next, the amount of work necessary for this to work is outlined in the memo. The decision to have specific dates and times was left out until it was clear who would be volunteering. Therefore dates and times would be decided by those volunteering so as to work with their personal schedules.

Third, professional learning communities require ongoing collaboration. Thus, the planning and reviewing of lesson plans is already in place.

Finally, the first set of observations would be by the trainer, or the district reading specialist, and the peer observations would require either release time or using a planning period to observe. The observations for the purpose of learning and training were understood not to be evaluative. However, because literacy is a priority, it may be inferred that evaluators will want to see teachers using best practice literacy strategies in the classroom.

On behalf the Reading and Literacy Committee, I encourage and welcome any and all responses.

Welcome Reading & Literacy Enthusiasts!

This might be an efficient method for our committee and other interested parties/individuals to share thoughts, ideas, or concerns regarding reading and litearcy at our school or in general. What are your thoughts about it?