Working in the Schools (WITS) began in a single classroom in 1991. The founders’ intent: to provide in-person, one-on-one literacy mentoring to Chicago students. A second similarly-missioned commitment, spearheaded by Librarian … Read More

In the fall, once the Rochelle Lee Teacher Award (RLTA) Summer Institute is over and study groups begin working together, RLTA Awardees can carve time out of their busy schedules … Read More

For the second consecutive year, the Rochelle Lee Teacher Award Summer Institute took place online. The 19 workshops, 4 sessions of Becoming Readers Institute, 4 sessions of RLTA Orientation, 4 … Read More

As Chicago Public School (CPS) teachers were planning and preparing lessons for the fall, Rochelle Lee Teacher Awardees (RLTA) were also improving their own literacy skills by participating in the … Read More

Banned Books Week is an annual celebration of the freedom to read. The theme of 2021’s Banned Books Week, observed September 26 – October 2, is “Books Unite Us, Censorship … Read More

School: National Teachers AcademyText: Cultivating Genius by Gholdy MuhammadStudy Group Leader: Laura GluckmanStudy Group Members: Carrie Both, Jessica Kibblewhite, Melissa HauserGoal: Our goal was about fostering deep engagement as it’s connected to … Read More

School: Orozco AcademyText: When Kids Can’t Read: What Teachers Can Do by Kylene BeersStudy Group Leader: Lindsay Wesner (6/7th ELA and Social Studies)Study Group Members: Joanna Felsenstein (K-6 Diverse Learners), Sarah … Read More

School: New Field Primary SchoolText: The Distance Learning Playbook Grades K-12: Teaching for Engagement & Impact in Any Setting by Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, and John Hattie and Connecting with Students Online … Read More

School: Mount Vernon Elementary SchoolText: Nonfiction Reading Power by Adrienne Gear Study Group Leader: Mrs. O’Neal (2nd Grade General Education)Study Group Members: Mrs. Runaas (1st Grade General Education), Ms. Ma … Read More