RLTA STUDY GROUPS
Learning communities
Rochelle Lee Teacher Award Study Groups are school-based professional learning communities. Study groups develop a goal to guide their learning throughout the school year, and meet monthly to discuss instruction and push their practice to reach their goal. Study Groups allow teachers to have a school-wide impact on student literacy instruction. Applications open early November, close late February, and study group awardees are announced in late April of each year.
BENEFITS OF STUDY GROUPS
- Qualify for Classroom Library Grants valued at up to $800.
Professional text selected by study group to support literacy focus. - Increased knowledge of professional literature and current researched based literacy best practices.
- Leadership opportunities and professional development facilitation experience.
- A professional collaborative forum.
- Literacy coaching provided three times per year.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY FOR A STUDY GROUP
- Four to eight teachers from the same school interested in pursuing a self-selected literacy focus.
- Study Group Leaders must be a returning RLTA participant.
- Each Study Group should include at least one new RLTA participant.
- There may be more than one Study Group at a school.
2019 - 2020 STUDY GROUP PROJECTS
Impacting Student Literacy Instruction
The goal of RLTA Study Groups is to empower teachers to become classroom, school, and district-wide literacy leaders. By focusing program design on the needs and goals of educators, WITS provides relevant, effective professional development and networking opportunities that support long-term literacy goals. WITS is proud of the work of the Study Group leaders and members, and we are excited to share some of the 2019-2020 Study Group Projects below.
improvING reading conferencing and conferencing frequency
SCHOOL
Augustus H. Burley Elementary SchoolGroup Members
Shannon Barbour, Study Group Leader: Jodi Shapiro, Emily Skowronek, Todd Strother, Amy Wiktor.Text
A Teacher's Guide to Reading Conferences by Jennifer Serravallo.Goal
To improve reading conferencing and conferencing frequency with students.Learn More
buildING inclusion
SCHOOL
Brentano Elementary Math & Science AcademyGroup Members
Stephanie Arce, Hannah Dreher-Siefkes, Kelly Dugan, Daisy Lopez, Study Group Leader: Vy Nguyen, Nicole Sandoval, Katherine Schuler.Text
Everyday SEL in Elementary School by Carla Tantillo PhilbertGoal
To build inclusion not only into our teaching practice, but also into our classroom libraries and curriculum.Learn More
IMPLEMENTING SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING
school
Elizabeth Chappell SchoolGroup Members
Catherine Garber, Michelle Glick, Lauren Gillis, Anna Kim, Anne Merrick, Victoria Smith, Study Group Leader: Margot Taylor.Text
Everyday SEL in Middle School by Carla Tantillo PhilbertGoal
To implement one social emotional learning strategy in our classroom practice.ÂLearn More
improving writing practices
school
Elizabeth Chappell SchoolÂGroup Members
Molly Byelick, Catherine Garber, Lauren Gillis, Sarah Hagen, Study Group Leader: Laurentine McKee, Gladys Podgorny, Rachel Rohland.Text
The Writing Strategies Book: Your Everything Guide to Developing Skilled Writers by Jennifer SerravalloGoal
To improve our writing practice across grade levels and abilities and make writing more of a priority in daily teaching.Learn More
enhancING comprehension
school
Florence Nightingale SchoolGroup Members
Emily Cozzie, Study Group Leader: Diana Del Real, Alma Ramos, Elizabeth Thibeau.Text
Understanding Texts & Readers: Responsive Comprehension Instruction with Leveled Texts by Jennifer SerravalloÂGoal
To enhance comprehension through small group instruction.ÂLearn More
improving reading instruction
school
John James Audubon Elementary SchoolGroup Members
Faviola Fernandez, Amanda Matteson, Colleen Stack, Study Group Leader: Kerry Tavarczky.Text
Understanding Texts & Readers: Responsive Comprehension Instruction with Leveled Texts by Jennifer SerravalloÂGoal
To improve small group and individual reading instruction by creating specific plans within stage 3 of each reading unit.Learn More
developING schedules and lesson plan structure
school
Rufus M Hitch Public SchoolGroup Members
Katie Bremner, Lily Kanefield, Jane Park, Study Group Leader: Amanda Paso, Joanne Schmidt.Text
Teaching Reading in Small Groups: Differentiated Instruction for Building Strategic, Independent Readers by Jennifer SerravalloGoal
To develop schedules and lesson plan structure to implement during small group reading instruction and individual conferencing.Learn More
engaging students and families
school
William G Hibbard Elementary SchoolGroup Members
Courtney Carlstrom, Bridget Heneghan, Lucia Herrera, Jessica Hodges, Study Group Leader: Stephanie Michl.Text
The Trauma-Sensitive Classroom: Building Resilience with Compassionate Teaching by Patricia A. JenningsGoal
To engage students and families with a focus on students who have experienced trauma.Learn More
