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Lead Literacy Articles & Videos (formerly leadliteracy.com)

Our lounge is your home for exploring hundreds of articles and videos for literacy coaches and school leaders. Our contributors share their best advice for working one-on-one with teachers in coaching cycles, hosting professional development sessions, and designing demonstration lessons and study groups.

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The True Test of Leadership

Matt Renwick delivers a powerful essay about the true test of leadership as he reflects on a sustained medical leave of absence. Matt reveals the importance of shared leadership and offers guidance to strengthen it in your school.

Picture It: Literacy Leaders and a Classroom Observation

In this Picture It, Ruth Ayres encourages organizing a classroom observation for a group of literacy leaders.

The Language Spoken at Home Is Always a Gift

Stella Villalba reminds us that the language spoken at home is a gift. She offers some ways to honor each student’s linguistic heritage.

Six Journaling Ideas for Teacher Self-Care

Leigh Anne Eck offers six journaling ideas for those who have always wanted to keep a journal but think they just don’t have the time. Journaling is a healthy habit that leads to clarity and focus. Try one of these ideas today!

Picture It: Pebbles in Our Shoes

In this Picture It, Ruth Ayres shares a creative and effective way to acknowledge difficulties when rolling out new curriculum or initiative.

The Joy of Learning Something New (or How Trying Something New I Totally Stank at Helped Increase My Understanding of the Learning Process)

Gwen Blumberg joins the Boston Roller Derby for a series of skills classes and immediately makes connections to the way students must feel when learning the complexity of reading. She shares how the importance of learning something new (especially something we aren’t good at) helps us remember the importance of joy to learning.

Energizing Yourself

Hannah Tills and Josie Stewart give practical ways instructional coaches can refuel their energy levels.

Uplifting Students’ “Ordinary” Stories with Mentor Texts

In a time when lives are showcased on highlight reels of social media, Gwen Blumberg reminds us of the importance of highlighting ordinary moments as worthy writing topics.

Picture It: Highlight the Strengths in Student Writing

In this Picture-It, discover the power of naming the intentional moves of student writers and displaying their strengths for all to see.

Making Learning Visible from Coaching Cycles

Jonathan Winslow offers three practical ways to share teacher learning during a coaching cycle with the entire school or district. His suggestions are excellent ways to uplift teacher voices and inspire one another.

Classroom Library Elements in School Library Design

Gigi McAllister uses classroom library ideas to create a school library that is comfortable and full of student ownership.

Coaching Minute: Ask for Help

Curriculum director Inga Omondi advises the best thing for leaders to do is ask for help.

Combat Self-Doubt: Make a Ta-Da List

Ruth Ayres addresses the issue of impostor syndrome in educators. She offers a charming way to battle the tension of feeling like we don’t do enough.

Coaching Minute: Keep a Meeting Journal

Curriculum director Inga Omondi spends a lot of time in meetings. To make connections, remember next steps, and stay organized, she keeps a journal with all of her meeting notes.

Getting to Know You . . . More: A Midyear Idea for Helping Kids Tune (Back) In to Each Other

Helping students tune into each other is both an anchor for building classrooms where caring is common, and where, as a result, learning blooms. Suzy Kaback gives suggestions for creating conditions where students can get to know each other more throughout the school year.

Coaching Minute: What Makes You Come Alive?

Ruth Ayres is reminded by her own coach of the importance of doing things that make us come alive. Instructional coaches have the opportunity of helping others find the things that make them come alive.

Coaching to Empower

David Pittman addresses the unintended messages coaches send when they are too eager to help. David offers practical suggestions to ensure coaching validates and encourages rather than disempowers teachers.

Coaching Minute: Tough Meetings

Curriculum director Inga Omondi understands the tension that can build in meetings. She offers advice for instructional coaches on what to do after a tough meeting.

Let Poetry Be the Leader

Joanne Emery lets poetry be her guide when writing reflective notes to teachers after spending time in their classrooms. This creative kind of feedback softens hearts and opens doors for conversations.

Coaching Minute: Coaching Groups of Teachers

Ruth Ayres offers a useful tip when planning your coaching calendar: Create groups of teachers.

Maintaining an Inquiry Stance: Seeking to Enhance the Practice of Questioning in Leadership

Heather Fisher cracks open some of her secrets to developing and maintaining an inquiry stance as an instructional coach. If you’re looking to  strengthen your listening and feedback, this is a great place to begin.

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