Blog Hero Image

Welcome to Our Blog

How to Teach Writing with Mentor Texts

June 13, 2023 Carl Anderson, Author and Literacy Consultant

What about teaching writing with mentor texts makes it essential to have in your teaching repertoire? Summer Literacy Institute guest speaker and blogger Carl Anderson breaks down the steps.

Tags: Teaching

Poetry in the Age of Science of Reading

June 9, 2023 Tim Rasinski, Professor of Literacy Education, Kent State University

Poetry and other rhythmical texts offer unique advantages and opportunities for teachers and children in reading instruction.

Tags: Teaching

The Coaching Notebook: Your Important End of Year Reflection Tool

June 6, 2023 Linda Murphy, Associate Director of Literacy Programs

A coaching notebook is a powerful reflection tool to consider the year’s accomplishments and determine goals for the upcoming school year.

Embracing the Sciences of Reading: What Every Literacy Teacher Needs to Know

May 2, 2023 Irene Fountas

A foundational expectation for every literacy teacher is a strong understanding of the content of the alphabetic system.

Tags: Teaching

Good and Beautiful and Kind

April 14, 2023 Afrika Afeni Mills, Education Consultant & Author

Kids, Books & Anti-Racism Series featured speaker Afrika Afeni Mills highlights how characters on screen and paper broadened her perspective.

Summer 2023: Online Graduate Courses

April 6, 2023 Summer 2023 Online Graduate Courses

Take advantage of the summer to enhance your career and literacy expertise!

Tags: Latest News

Three Ways Coaches Can Support Teacher Planning

April 3, 2023 Nikki Drury, Literacy Trainer

Improve teacher decision making through three key coaching moves.

Tags: Coaching

Summer 2023: Professional Development for Literacy Educators and School Leaders

March 27, 2023 Center News

Make the most of your summer! Check out these literacy professional development opportunities.

Tags: Latest News

Playing with Letters, Sounds, and Words: Lessons Learned from Four Year-Olds

March 8, 2023 Cindy Downend, Associate Director of Literacy Programs

Cindy Downend, our associate director of primary literacy programs, highlights her experiences helping the earliest readers with letters and sounds.

What Is Textured Teaching and why is it important?

February 28, 2023 Lorena Escoto Germán, Educator & Author

In several states in the United States, talking about race and racism is currently restricted in one way or another. In the year 2023, not 1950. So how will those of us who are committed anti-biased and anti-racist teachers proceed? With conviction and vigor.

Upcoming Professional Development

Days 1-3: October 8-10, 2025; Days 4-6: December 10-12, 2025; Days 7-9: February 4-6, 2026

The Effective Instructional Coach: Leading Growth, Navigating Challenges

This 9-day training is designed for all school-based coaches including instructional coaches and those who support literacy, math, science, social studies and/or technology. You’ll learn how to better understand your role and how to effectively coach teachers at your school.

$3500 (includes professional texts)
December 4-5, 2025

Thinking Beyond the Page: Developing Deep Comprehension

Comprehension is a complex process and the ultimate goal of reading. Join us to learn practical strategies to support your students to go from surface-level comprehension to deep, critical thinking about what they read.

$595 (includes professional text)
November 18, 2025

Teaching Foundational Skills and Fluency Through Shared Reading

Learn how to teach explicit, systematic phonemic awareness, phonics and word study skills and support fluency development using whole group or small group shared reading.

$295

Join our community!
It's FREE!

Enhance your literacy expertise by becoming a member of the Center's literacy community. By joining you will receive our newsletters and other email communications that will allow you to stay up to date on the latest resources, articles and upcoming professional learning opportunities.