Over the past few months I have found myself sitting across the table from many well intentioned, committed, experienced, passionate teachers. The look on their face (one of trepidation) when they discover they don’t have the knowledge nor tools to move their most vulnerable learners forward is something I find somewhat hard. I feel for them. I too have been where they are. I get it. I understand and I know how hard it is to live with this when you are a dedicated teacher with a conscience.
I applaud these teachers and leaders for raising their hand. They have been brave enough to say, you know, “I just don’t know.” Being able to do so out loud and put themselves in a position of vulnerability is the beginning of the way forward. A way forward for both the teachers and leaders but most importantly the students who are at the heart of the matter.
This vulnerability leads to teachers and leaders reconsidering their status quo. It opens up the dialogue as to ‘WHY’ the mountain of programmes previously DONE to these students hasn’t made a difference to their ongoing progress in literacy.
ENTER professional learning in the form of an injection of KNOWLEDGE, Understanding and identification of ‘WHY’ these students haven’t progressed. The faces change — EPIPHANY written all over them. We’ve got understanding. We now have true empathy. We’ve got traction.“OMG finally I know exactly how I am going to enable this student to learn to read. Why didn’t I know this stuff? I am Reading Recovery trained. I am the specialist teacher here.”
An innovative approach to intervention is born. Based on research and evidence and the principles and elements of STRUCTURED LITERACY a wraparound support system is implemented within the school setting.Ongoing mentoring and support enabling the teachers and leaders to continue to grow, learn, be vulnerable and most importantly to move their students like never before. Consciously Unskilled teachers now on the pathway to becoming Consciously Skilled Teachers.
Is this you? Are you sitting in your classroom or office with a gut feel that you are unsure as to ‘WHY’ some students don’t progress? Maybe you are a SENCO, RTLIT, Principal, Literacy Leader? The reality is together we can do this.
Contact me to learn more about how we can work together to build the capabilities of your team, and enable progress in all students in literacy.
Vulnerability + Innovation + Creativity + Collaboration + Knowledge+ Systems = PROGRESS and EMPOWERMENT. What are you waiting for?
Carla McNeil
Carla is the Founder and Director of Learning MATTERS Ltd. Carla has been a successful school Principal, Mathematics Advisor and Classroom teacher.
