Meet four times during the school year to develop the mindset and skills to inspire and empower adult learners, as well as support new coaches in getting organized with systems and structures to meet the unique needs of their schools. Participate in live observations of a coach-in-action with guided reflections and personalized feedback.

The academy is led by Ruth Ayres, a long-time instructional coach, three-time author, and national speaker. Registration will open May 1, 2023 .

Meet two times during the school year to stay sharp with your mindset and skills to inspire and empower adult learners. Participate in live observations of a coach-in-action with guided reflections and personalized feedback.

The 2023-2024 Seasoned Coach Academy focuses on understanding and using a variety of feedback in order to influence positive change. The academy is led by Ruth Ayres, a long-time instructional coach, three-time author, and national speaker. Two additional national presenters will join us to help build our repertoire on meaningful, intentional, and practical ways to deliver feedback. Registration will open May 1, 2023 .

Brian Sepe is a longtime instructional coach from upstate New York. He currently works with the Jim Knight coaching group. Brian will deliver a special session just for instructional influencers in order to help orient ourselves as change agents. Brian will help participants set goals and make action plans in order to maximize their influence in the upcoming school year. Registration will open May 1, 2023.

Join three national presenters as we dive into the nitty-gritty of small group instruction and responding to students’ needs. This workshop is designed for those who have a strong understanding of small group instruction and a commitment to regular and meaningful small group instruction. This session will help participants learn to tackle the unique needs of some students. A live student observation is included. Registration will open May 1, 2023 .

The workshop is led by Ruth Ayres and focuses on practical and meaningful ways for writers to become more standard and sophisticated. Three additional national presenters will guide us in ways to help students continually grow more proficient as writers. A live student observation is also included.  Registration will open May 1, 2023.

Presenters offer perspective on how to bridge literacy practices and science of reading information. Sessions are recorded to view later and additional resources are provided to deepen your knowledge.

Bridging Practices Between Workshop Instruction and Science of Reading InformationBitsy Parks, First-Grade Teacher

Bridging the Instructional Needs of Multilingual LearnersStella Villalba, District English Learner Teacher Leader

Five Things School Leaders Should Understand to Bridge Literacy PracticesJen Schwanke, Deputy Superintendent and Three-Time Author

Learn practical ideas to engage teen readers and writers. Sessions are recorded to view later and additional resources are provided to deepen your knowledge.

Creating Welcoming Spaces and Routines to Inspire Readers and WritersChristy Rush-Levine, Middle School Language Arts Teacher

Using Scaffolds and Mentors to Uplift WritersTara Barnett, Middle School Language Arts Teacher with Kate Mills, Instructional Coach

Organizing and Achieving Robust Book ClubsLeigh Anne Eck, Middle School Language Arts Teacher

Videos and Visuals to Connect with Current Teen TrendsGretchen Schroeder, High School English and AP Teacher

Enjoy a robust speaker lineup about key ways to multiply your positive influence. Sessions are recorded to view later and additional resources are provided to deepen your knowledge.

Leading Like a C.O.A.C.H.
Matt Renwick, elementary principal and author

Offering Encouragement
Heather Fisher, instructional coach

Responding to Student Needs
Dana Murphy, reading specialist

Creating an Atmosphere of Belonging
Kate Mills, instructional coach with Tara Barnett, middle school language arts teacher

Our local workshops are led by area educators and include live student observations. When we see concepts in action with students, it is easier to envision how to use the same strategies in our own work. 

Spend the day with Ruth Metcalfe, a first grade teacher (who writes books and speaks nationally) and learn the specifics to making small group instruction gel. It takes more than a checklist, it is about noticing students needs, intentionally developing the next teaching points, and then offering feedback in ways that are accepted and applied by young students. See first-grade small group in action.  October 23, 2023 (Location will be available on May 1.)

How do writers develop a scholarly voice needed to make change happen in the world? This session focuses on craft moves and Standard English necessary to help students be more sophisticated in their writing. The workshop is tailored to content-area teachers.  Dates and locations will be available on May 1.

From passive avoidance to outright refusal, today’s teens have an arsenal of ways to avoid writing in school. Yet, they are composing text more than any other generation in history. If we want students to grow into writers who can create compelling arguments, sturdy informational writing, and powerful narratives (with Standard English), first they must write. In this two-day workshop learn practical strategies for engaging students as writers, and more importantly be inspired to create a community of writers in your classroom where everyone is growing as a writer.  2022-2023 workshop and can be offered again, if there is is interest.

This study group will help you understand how levels can help and hinder teachers, and show alternatives for assessing needs and grouping even the youngest learners.

Small group reading instruction is an important part of elementary literacy. This virtual field experience is a sampling of videos to experience the variety of approaches. Additional resources are included for a well-rounded learning experience.

The Lead Learners is reading Shifting the Balance by Jan Burkins and Kari Yates. This is a virtual study group that includes information about facilitating a book club in your school and resources to support reflective practice for those reading alone.

The Lead Learners is reading Why Do I Have to Read This? by Cris Tovani. This is a virtual study group that includes information about facilitating a book club in your school and resources to support reflective practice for those reading alone.

Experienced literacy coaches unzip their bags and totes to share what they carry into classrooms. We open up our coaching notebooks to show you the pages and lessons we can’t live without. We share what hasn’t worked int he past, and how our schedules and plans have evolved over time. You’ll finish this study group with sample calendars, templates, checklists, and insider tips for launching your coaching year with confidence and enthusiasm. This a self-paced study group with four videos by Ruth Ayres and many additional resources.

All of the resources you need to lead a book study among instructional leaders in your school are included in this virtual study group. Additional guided reflection resources are provided for those reading alone.