Lead Lit Topic: Guiding Teachers
Here is where you'll find information on guiding teachers.
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Lifting Teachers by Lifting a Teacher
Moving in and out of classrooms all day brings a wide perspective on school culture. I get to experience teachers growing the minds of their students firsthand. Their craft as...
The Joyful Toolkit for Literacy Leaders
A few years ago, pre-pandemic, I came across this TED Talk from Ingrid Fetell Lee. In it she describes her 10-year quest to figure out where joy comes from. The...
Examining (and Changing) Our Literacy Beliefs over Time
Our beliefs construct what we notice, which constructs what we believe. So noticing on purpose and questioning those beliefs is pure genius. —Jennifer Garvey Berger and Carolyn Coughlin, Unleash Your...
Engaging from the Start: Considering Accessible Professional Development Experiences for a Range of Educators
Accessibility allows us to tap into everyone’s potential. —Deborah Ruh "B doesn’t belong because it is the only blue shape." "C doesn’t belong because it is the only shape that...
Developing Transcripts of Classroom Teaching with AI
I see AI as an additional tool, but a very powerful one. —Sal Khan in The Courier (2023) The Idea If you had a co-teacher who was experienced, well educated,...
AI in Teacher Prep
A just machine to make big decisions Programmed by fellows with compassion and vision We'll be clean when their work is done We'll be eternally free yes and eternally young...
Meet Stevie, Our Imaginary AI Friend
Imaginary friends are one of the weirder forms of pretend play in childhood. But the research shows that imaginary friends actually help children understand the other people around them and...
Quiet Coaching
For the last couple of months, I have been meeting periodically with a friend. He is going through a job change: transitioning to a career in land management. When he...
Misreading Body Language
While facilitating a conversation with school administrators about next steps with their district’s professional learning plan, I kept catching one of the school leaders smiling as we talked. This smile...
Make and Take…With a Twist: Incorporating Research and Play with Preparing Materials
“Check this out!” my son excitedly shared with me after school one day. “My friend taught me how to shoot a basketball today during recess.” He proceeded to jump off...
Ways to Make Positive Momentum Happen in Sticky Situations
A leader is best when people barely know he exists. When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves. —Lao Tzu A newly formed...
Connecting the Dots
Standing in the entrance of the baseball dugout, I watched the young T-ball players chasing each other around in circles while simultaneously jumping on and off the team bench. Volunteering...
When They’re Hard to Teach
Nathan sits down at the table and begins to read from his collection of familiar texts. He’s strategic. He grabs the easiest books he can from his pile. As we...
How to Manage Our Frustrations in Difficult Times
A staff member stopped into my office with a worried look on her face. "I'm not sure you're going to want to hear this, and you don't need to do...
PL…See? Lightening Up PLCs to Increase Engagement
When you mention an upcoming PLC meeting to your staff, what reaction do you receive? Is it eye-rolling, a slight sigh, or an aggressive grunt? If you are met with...
Bridging the Gap (Session 1): The Sold a Story Peel
Finally, it was Christmas break. My son was graduating from high school in just a few months, and this was my chance to have a good chunk of time to...
Building Teacher Confidence, Building Leaders: The Power of Observation
Believe you can and you’re halfway there. —Theodore Roosevelt Confidence is a necessary part of our profession. Let’s face it: When we are in front of multiple groups of dynamic...
Navigating the Science of Reading: How to Hold a Professional Conversation About Teaching Readers
A popular and contentious topic in education is the science of reading. It’s hard to miss the stress-inducing debates about the best way to teach readers. It is healthy to...
Picture It: Literacy Leaders and a Classroom Observation
It is a luxury in professional learning to experience a shared observation. This is especially true for literacy leaders. As the director of a network of instructional influencers, I aim...
Six Journaling Ideas for Teacher Self-Care
About 10 years ago I began writing and journaling. I found that not only did my teaching of writing improve but so did my personal well-being. My notebook became my...
Picture It: Pebbles in Our Shoes
Sometimes there is tension during professional learning sessions. This is particularly true for school-wide sessions that are developed to propel change. It isn't a surprise that change is met with...
