As the principal of Valhalla Elementary,
I have the good fortune to observe exemplary literacy instruction
in action every day. The role of the principal has evolved
during the past 5 years into more of an instructional leader
and co-learner role and less of a manager. It is imperative
that principals remain current on best practices in order
to participate in discussions with teachers about their practice.
Each day I begin the first 40-minutes collaborating with
teachers of one grade level about the business of teaching
and learning.
Sitting around the table on any given day one would find
not only a grade level of teachers, but also one or all of
our three literacy coaches, the ELL teacher, and on many
occasions our math and special education specialists. During
this time we explore and discuss recent articles and topics
related to literacy instruction, student work, and strategies
to meet the needs of our ELL and struggling students.
As a new principal, I’ve found the research of Richard
Allington, professor at the University of Tennessee, has
guided my thinking about reading instruction and the teachers
who provide it. His article, What I’ve Learned About
Effective Reading Instruction, explores “the six Ts
of effective elementary literacy instruction” (Talk,
Testing, Text, Teaching, Time, and Tasks) in order to describe
exemplary elementary teachers and challenge school administrators
to encourage emulation of these teachers.
This article and his book, What Really Matters for Struggling
Readers, are must-reads for the new principal.
My newest learning around literacy instruction is the importance
of building the capacity of each teacher to provide the necessary
tools and intervention strategies needed to reach ALL students.
The days of pulling students out into the hall to “fix
them” are gone.
In this time of soaring accountability as a result of NCLB,
we must provide exemplary literacy instruction so that all
of our students reach standard.
In order to do so, principals must be in classrooms coaching,
learning along side teachers, and returning the joy of teaching
and learning to the classroom.
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Valhalla's Assessment Wall: Tracking progress of all children.
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