Start with Joy: Designing Literacy Learning for Student Success and Happiness, Gr K-8

August 23, 2019 by Mary Grace

Start with Joy: Designing Literacy Learning for Student Success and Happiness, Gr K-8
Date: February 7, 2020
Presenter: Katie Cunningham
Location: Capitol Plaza, Montpelier
Cost: $225 (includes continental breakfast and lunch)

In this day-long workshop, participants will be introduced to a seven-pillar social-emotional framework that bridges literacy learning with strategies for student happiness. First, participants will learn about research from across fields that explain why now is the time to intentionally design for the sustainable happiness of students as a fundamental part of the school experience. Next, participants will learn about the seven-pillar framework as it relates to literacy instruction. The pillars are: Connection, Choice, Challenge, Play, Story, Discovery, and Movement. In particular, the day will support teachers across the domains of reading, writing, and speaking/listening with emphasis on how to infuse joy into read-alouds, small group instruction, conferring, and mini-lessons. Participants will be supported to create plans to integrate social and emotional learning with existing literacy curriculum (including but not limited to read alouds, writing prompts, visual prompts, guided reading interactions, conversation starters, and mini-lessons).

Coaching For Equity in Literacy Instruction: Gather. Collaborate. Learn.

August 22, 2019 by Mary Grace

Gather. Collaborate. Learn. Coaching for Equity in Literacy Instruction

Date: October 4, 2019, January 17, and April 3, 2020
Presenter: Gayle Moskowitz & Ellen Thompson
Location: Capitol Plaza, Montpelier

Cost: $225/day or $625 for all three days (includes lunch)

Literacy instruction matters: it is more than just a thing we teach – it is vital for our students to become competent, engaged, and thoughtful readers and writers if they are to develop into active members in our communities. That happens when teachers teach literacy with flexibility and expertise in a system that is equitable for all learners. Coaches play a vital role in increasing teachers’ knowledge and expertise. In this session, literacy coaches will discuss how their work builds equity for all learners using embedded coaching strategies, facilitated conversations, and strengthened leadership roles. As participants consider their literacy coaching role within their specific context, we will build a community that supports professional growth through:

engagement in collaborative discussions,
problem solving strategies, and
examination of resources

The three days are open to any coach, leader, or mentor looking to deepen their coaching knowledge and build connections to the coaching community in Vermont. Come for one day or all three.

HOT OFF THE PRESS! COACHING COURSES THIS FALL!!!

August 22, 2019 by Mary Grace

Fall and Spring 2019-2020

Coaching In Literacy: Getting Started

Instructor: Ellen Thompson, Ed.D.
Location: Online and In person at PLL Offices (Sept 26, Nov 12, December 10)
Dates: September-December, 2019
Credits: 3
Cost: $1450

This course will set the stage for what literacy coaching is and what it is not. The research on coaching as an effective tool for school change will be included. Use of data to inform instructional decisions will be heavily discussed. This course will explore how coaches support new understandings of developmental literacy instruction and incorporation of the Vermont Multi-tiered System of Supports (VTmtss) into their work. Participants will read the The Literacy Coach’s Handbook by Sharon Walpole and Michael McKenna to better understand the many roles coaches have take within a school and with teachers.

Coaching for Success: Scaling Up with Networks of Practice

Instructor: Ellen Thompson, Ed.D. and Gayle Moskowitz (presenter)
Location: Online and In Person dates at the Capitol Plaza: October 4, January 17, & April 3, 8:30-3:30
Credits: 3
Cost: $1450

The course will create a Networked Improvement Community (NIC) for participating coaches to focus on problems of practice and change ideas that will lead to improved coaching, teaching, and learning. Coaching can be a lonely role, and establishing a community of coaches to explore specific practices, innovations, or “improvement” ideas allows all participants to benefit from the learning and expertise of others in a similar role. Course participants will establish an online community as well as have opportunities to work alongside each other at the Coaching Forums series: Gather.Collaborate.Learn. The work during these face to face meetings will establish the problem of practice to be explored through Plan-Do-Study-Act Inquiry cycles within each coach’s school setting. Working together in this network, the coaches will gather strategies and approaches from each other to outline a response for their identified problem of practice within their coaching roles. Participants will read Anthony Bryk’s book, Learning to Improve: How America’s Schools Can Get Better at Getting Better.

SAVE THE DATE – Summer Literacy Institute – Aug 5, 6, 7, 2019

October 25, 2018 by Mary Grace

2019 Summer Literacy Institute planning is underway!

Despite the briskness in the air, and the white stuff dusting the grass, we are thinking about August–and in particular, our annual Summer Literacy Institute!

We will be heading back to our beloved Stoweflake on August 5, 6, and 7th. We are pleased to announce that the keynote address will be given by Ellin Keene, co-author of Mosaic of Thought. She has a new book out called Engaging Children, Igniting a Drive for Deeper Learning K-8.

We are also running a theme this year for the first time: Reading and Writing Our World. This is a very broad theme meant to encourage us to consider how our students, as our youngest citizens, are nurtured to be deep thinkers, critical consumers, and constructive learners.

We are currently accepting proposals for full and mini strands at our institute. The mini-strands are two-hour workshops that will occur on the first afternoon (after the keynote) and the full-strands are the two-day sessions that run Tuesday and Wednesday. PLL will pay $300 for the mini strand (2 hours) and $1600 for a full strand (two days). Please note that if you opt for a full strand, we offer graduate credit as an option for registrants. You will be required to come up with two reflection prompts, read them, and provide a grade to the instructor of record.

There are some things we would like to see in the proposals that will help teachers and administrators connect the value of this professional learning experience to their ongoing continuous improvement work—specifically, how does your proposal address proficiency? Does your proposal promote the idea of equity and inclusion for ALL learners?

The deadline for proposal submission is December 3. If you are interested in applying, please fill out the form(s) linked below.

Mini Strand Form

Full Strand Form

Please email info@pllvt.org with any questions or comments. I look forward to reading through your proposals!

PLL Revises MTSS-RTII Field Guide!

February 6, 2018 by Mary Grace

We are teaming up with the Vermont Agency of Education to update the Vermont Multi-tiered System of Supports and Response to Intervention and Instruction Field Guide. Originally published in 2014, the Field Guide provides evidenced based guidelines to administrators, teachers, and other educators as they strive to support the needs of all Vermont students. In the intervening years since its publication, the field of education has undergone some significant evolutions and educators are anxious to respond to recent initiatives, mandates, and reports, such as ESSA and Act 77. The revised edition of the Guide will address these educational shifts and others in the goal of providing Vermont educators with the support and resources necessary to help all students achieve. PLL is drawing on many sources to refine and enhance the Field Guide. It will be including multiple perspectives, carefully analyzing statewide MTSS data and seeking feedback from expert stakeholder panels. Watch for the new revision in late 2018!