We are all going through a lot of change. As adults, we are adjusting to new habits, routines, and responsibilities. It can be overwhelming, and whether you exercise, bake bread, … Read More
Exciting Changes to the Rochelle Lee Teacher Award Program
The Rochelle Lee Teacher Award, a competitive award which focuses on literacy professional development for Chicago Public School teachers, is making changes for the 2021-22 cohort. Since the program’s inception … Read More
October is National Principal’s Month
October is National Principal’s Month. Ordinarily, principals and school administrations are tasked with building community, enforcing structure, and supporting teachers, students, and families through their visionary leadership and attuned involvement. … Read More
WITS Virtual Program Orientation
As WITS staff members plan for the new opportunities and challenges presented by this upcoming program year, one thing remains consistent: our dedication to creating a safe and joyful reading … Read More
WITS Gears up for Student-Centered Virtual Programs
Over the past few months, we, as a society, have rearranged our lives to deal with COVID-19, and WITS is no different. While apart, we work hard to create and … Read More
First Time as a BRI Facilitator
This past August, I was fortunate enough to co-facilitate a session of the Rochelle Lee Teacher Award (RLTA) program’s Becoming Readers Institute. Unlike other RLTA sessions, the Becoming Readers Institute (BRI) is not designed to explicitly teach transferable skills or strategies … Read More
WITS Virtual Program
WITS is excited to offer a virtual reading mentoring program for students and mentors for the 2020-2021 school year. The virtual program will bring together students and adult volunteers for … Read More
Teachers Create Community Online At Summer Institute
On a packed Zoom meeting in early August, 20 educators talked about the importance of incorporating social emotional learning (SEL) in their literacy instruction. Guiding the conversation was Laurie Brooks, … Read More
Going Virtual: Adapting the WITS Early Childhood Summer Program
At WITS Early Childhood Summer Program (ECSP), students entering kindergarten and first grade enjoy familiar fairy tales while practicing foundational literacy skills, such as identifying letters and elements of a … Read More
Breaking Barriers To Access: WITS Partners With Chicago Public Library To Empower Early Readers At Home
Why Summer Learning Matters Summer learning is a critical tool in helping students prepare for a new school year. According to the National Summer Learning Association, students can lose up … Read More
