I’m committed to ensuring every student in our care can read meaningfully and at grade level. The ability to read is a pathway to liberation and every kid should be entitled to it! I won’t stop until that happens!

We have around 50 elementary staff who volunteered to work through our Literacy curriculum adoption. It starts with a common understanding of best practice in Literacy instruction so we are reading and analyzing The Knowledge Gap by Natalie Wexler. Go team go! #bethebest

Before you act, try to breathe into the space between stimulus and response, and make the choice to be the person you most want to be, not mindlessly fueled by anxiety or anger, but grounded in self-compassion and intention.

School Administrators must learn to teach kids how to read. If you don't know it, and won't learn it, how on Earth can you lead it. Yes, that also means central office staff.

Combing circles and our Lit committee work, two of my all time favorite things! We are working toward EVERY kid reading meaningfully at grade level. It’s just another reason we will #bethebest

Every kid will read meaningfully at grade level. It starts with vetting curriculum after lots of learning about best practice. #bethebest

Which instructional practices could teachers start implementing in their classroom right now to improve the reading outcomes for novice readers? Here are some things you can do today:

So often our students who are carrying toxic levels of stress can't access their cortex, & although brilliant, they will always choose to look misbehaved before they look stupid! This template allows us to break down content so that they feel doable! We shared this in class!

A strong PLC is always learning. I love the embedded PD happening at Douma Elementary during PLCs!! #bethebest

There are some misconceptions about the Science of Reading and who needs the learning. This is not something that is just for elementary or K-3. EVERY teacher plays a huge role in Literacy for kids. Here is a slide from the PD for all of our new teachers K-12, all content areas.

If you’re not culturally relevant, you’re a barrier to student achievement. We are here to be a service to students!! This webinar (Literacy is Opportunity) is incredible and everyone needs to hear Mitchell Brookins, Ph.D..

Why do I keep harping on the importance of explicit, systematic phonics instruction? I know it bugs some people. languageliteracy.blog/2023/03/31/pho…

Game 2 🌪️🚨🌪️

I love this idea!

Thank you to the Iowa Department of Education & Director Snow for being fierce advocates for the Science of Reading. Your generosity in providing Amira to support literacy will have a positive impact for students & teachers across Iowa. Literacy is equity work!! #literacychangeslivesia

Building lifelong readers starts early. LETRS training can help early childhood educators apply evidence-based literacy instruction with young learners. Learn more about LETRS today! #LiteracyChangesLivesIA #BridgingTheGapIA tinyurl.com/44cbbtvz

A fifth cohort of the Department-sponsored LETRS training is coming in January. Schools, AEAs and individual educators can register now to save their spot for this no cost, engaging training on the Science of Reading. #LiteracyChangesLivesIA bit.ly/3zH3thW

My girl!!! So proud of all the work Bambi is doing on Ottumwa and our state!!