Ch ch ch changes!

I have decided to change the name of my blog and begin to blog about my new role. Last school year I was asked to be an instructional coach at an elementary school. I was excited but nervous to get back to my elementary roots. So much had changed in education since I was at the elementary level. I welcomed the opportunity with open arms and I learned a ton during that adventure. I learned a tremendous amount professionally as well as a lot about me as a person. I learned a lot about what strong leadership is and is not. I learned what kind of leader I work best with rather than under.  I learned how to have high expectations for students and they will rise to those expectations.   It was also during that school year that I realized I had evolved into a middle school teacher and working with striving readers is really my passion and my wheelhouse.  I missed the middle school environment.  I needed to get back!  Also, the hour-plus commute each way was beginning to take a toll on me. I started looking closer to my house for reading specialist positions and truly found my dream position. I have always been fortunate to work with passionate teachers who truly want to do right by children, and I have definitely found that in my new position. 

I am starting to dabble with some new strategies in my intervention classes that I can't wait to share. I saw Penny Kittle, author of Book Love, present at the Secondary Reading League Conference. I have always been an admirer of Penny's work and she has been a huge influence on my philosophical beliefs of children as readers. It would be a huge understatement for me to say that seeing her present was AMAZING!  Her enthusiasm for reaching all readers was contagious and helped reinvigorate me on that cold Friday morning. I will be sharing her ideas that I am beginning to implement into my Exploring Reading classes. I can't wait, and the students are equally excited!

Thank you so much for reading and I am looking forward to sharing this journey with you!

Peace and love,

Mary