Our passion is our strength.
—Billie Joe Armstrong
Join Us!
One of my secret delights each month is leading the Coach-to-Coach group. It started on a whim in 2023; I wondered if I could nurture a meaningful group with just a Choice Literacy article and a 35-minute meeting each month. I was curious if we could create a virtual, global network of instructional coaches who would flourish with connection and learning.
After the first meeting I was bursting with energy, and I knew it was something I wanted to keep figuring out. We’ve become a world who meets virtually, but often virtual meetings leave us feeling a bit, well, uninspired and disconnected.
My passion for nurturing a thriving, energetic, and virtual community of instructional influencers continued to grow, and this year we added a virtual think tank of instructional influencers who gather for a full day six times during the school year.
I wasn’t sure I would be able to fill a whole day of virtual meeting with energy, connection, and learning. Fortunately, two tech coaches—Austin and Precious—were willing to come alongside me and collaborate to make our virtual think tanks outstanding.
We’re starting to find our footing for nourishing a whole day of virtual professional learning that leaves people feeling stronger than when they started. That’s why I want to invite you to our Spring Refresh. It’s virtual, and I feel confident saying you will feel inspired and full of ideas at the end of the day.
Tammy Mulligan will join us and share a few key takeaways from her new book, The Power of Quick and Frequent Practice. Becca Burk and I will also offer sessions about how to nourish healthy regulation in classrooms. There will also be plenty of time for you to discuss and process your learning with others who are just as smart and funny as you are. The primary audience for this workshop is instructional influencers—formal and informal leaders in a school. Find out more below!
Shine on,
Ruth Ayres
Editor in Chief
PS: Here’s a special discount code for Spring Refresh just for Big Fresh readers—BigFresh50.
Get a shot of leadership energy!
February 27 | 10:00 – 3:00 (EST)
Recharge your leadership skills with a dynamic and energizing workshop designed to help you lead with confidence and clarity.
In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn to
✅ use three key questions to support healthy emotional regulation for both adults and students.
✅ break free from persistent negativity and cultivate a culture of confidence.
✅ boost student engagement by using quick and frequent practice opportunities.
Join Ruth Ayres, Becca Burk, and Tammy Mulligan for this refreshing leadership boost and walk away with practical strategies to inspire, motivate, and uplift your school community!
Use code BigFresh50 for a special discount just for Big Fresh subscribers!
Vivian Chen offers useful tips for seasoned and new teachers when it comes to helping students engage in a turn-and-talk.
Julie Johnson reminds us of important mindsets to adopt to allow students the space and permission to talk while composing. When students talk as writers, they have opportunities to create new understandings, build relationships, and validate each other.
If you’re an instructional coach, we’d love for you to join our FREE coaching network called Coach-to-Coach. This simple and mighty group is led by Ruth Ayres and hosted by our sister site, The Lead Learners. The next meeting is Tuesday, February 18, at noon EST. Click here to register.
New members-only content is added each week to the Choice Literacy website. If you’re not yet a member, click here to explore membership options.
Gretchen Schroeder shares her big takeaways from reading Inspiring Dialogue. Now more than ever, we need to help students express themselves and claim their voices, as the classroom is one of the last places where we can engage in dialogue about big questions with those who might not share our beliefs.
Gigi McAllister shares how she helped her students get started with sketchnoting during read-aloud time. Perhaps like Gigi you aren’t a natural at this format, but you’ll be inspired by the value and ease of introducing this powerful note-taking technique.
NEW VIDEO | Gigi McAllister reminds us of the special way picture books can open the doors of conversation.
New members-only content is added each week to the Choice Literacy website. If you’re not yet a member, click here to explore membership options.
Tammy Mulligan leads a demonstration small group designed to help fifth-grade girls talk more thoughtfully and naturally in a book club. The demonstration includes a planning session and debrief with the girls’ teacher.
Special education teacher Julianne Houser and fourth-grade teacher Heidi discuss how they can work together to support specific students, assessing needs and strategies to meet them.
Nischa shares five ways to stop wasting our evenings.
Quote It:
Your passion is waiting for your courage to catch up.
—Isabelle Lafleche
That’s all for this week!
