Literacy Blueprint: Vision to Reality - Held Virtually

Literacy Blueprint: Vision to Reality

Held Virtually

Wednesday, June 5, 2024 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

A 30 minute lunch break

$25 for Support Staff 

$50 for NASA Members 

$75 for Non-NASA Members

Due to Washoe County School District (WCSD) salary advancement requirements, WCSD participants will be asked to submit a brief written summation of how this professional learning event will transfer learning into practice before a certificate is issued. WCSD participants: please use the link provided on the Guidance/Link sheet for each event to submit. Lastly, when completing events that are (1) or more credits, please submit your tracker to the PGS Department in Washoe and to ahendersonnasa@gmail.com

Workshop Description:

Literacy continues to be a critical “hot topic” in education. Educational leaders know the importance of understanding literacy learning. They recognize the inclusive environments and effective instructional practices necessary to support students. However, succinctly and methodically creating, implementing, and sustaining a comprehensive plan overtime requires a tailored, structured, yet flexible roadmap. Clarifying and focusing the vision to design efficient systems to collect BOTH timely observational and assessment data about literacy instructional practices and students’ engagement as readers is a collaborative process. Analyzing these data offer opportunities to analyze and identify current strengths and target growth areas to cultivate teacher excellence, while focusing on student

learning. Orchestrating these crucial changes requires a blueprint to outline the research, structural systems, professional learning models, and guided implementation processes that will have the greatest impact on student development and system change.

Key Takeaways & Outcomes:

ALL educators will acquire critical understanding of how to braid effective teaching strategies, embed assessments and disaggregate data to create structures that systematically close learning gaps and increase student achievement. As all PreK-12 educators teach literacy within their content, participants will be able to create and organize assignments that foster profound learning rather than superficial understanding. With the completion of this workshop, all participants will be able to learn how to develop, execute, and maintain a thorough plan over an extended period that demands a customized, organized, yet adaptable roadmap. Collaboratively refining and concentrating the vision is essential for designing effective systems that gather both timely observational and assessment data on literacy instructional practices and students' engagement as readers.

Key Objectives:

Discuss elements of quality reading instructional practices that inform a developing culture of literacy within a school or district. Analyze simulated example data to discuss common areas of instructional strengths and need for growth or extension.

Evaluate data collection and system planning elements that best align to your school or district needs. Identify professional learning and research supported practices that have direct impact on student learning.

Synthesize information and examples through the lens of your school or district to determine the practices that will offer growth. Apply learning from the session to draft an outline and next steps in developing your Comprehensive Literacy Blueprint.

Tangible Outcomes:

Participants will draft an outline of a Literacy Blueprint to use as a guide to plan and implement a Comprehensive Literacy and Professional Learning Plan for their school or district. This draft includes 6 elements: The Big Picture: Draft the philosophy and key goals of your Comprehensive Planning.

Focus the Vision: Identify elements of quality reading and literacy practices that inform a developing culture of literacy within a school and district. Success Criteria: Outline the plan and analyze the elements to illuminate the expectations, and goals.

Map the Blueprint: Determine the steps to success. A Comprehensive Literacy and Professional Learning Plan plan is a blueprint designed to outline the data collection, curriculum, instruction, intervention, assessment, professional learning, and structures necessary to develop the communication processes, critical thinking skills, and dispositions to ensure that all students achieve.

Timing & Implementation Guidance: Create a flexible calendar of necessary elements. Develop observation and data collection opportunities to guide and adjust implementation over time. Communication & Buy-in: Cultivate investment in the process by creating communication and feedback loops over time.

Biography of Presenter:

Dr. Bonnie D. Houck is a multifaceted expert, blending the roles of writer, consultant, coach, speaker, and trainer, with a singular focus on literacy leadership development, disciplinary literacy, and catalyzing positive school transformation. Her contributions resonate across the educational landscape, as Bonnie delivers pioneering leadership training to state associations, school districts, and institutions. Her work, prominently

featured in research journals and the acclaimed book, "Literacy Unleashed: Fostering excellent reading instruction through classroom visits," has been instrumental in reshaping literacy education. Notably, Bonnie's stewardship has been a cornerstone in the Literacy Academy for the Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association (MESPA), spanning over a decade. Furthermore, she extends her expertise to national and state organizations, where her consultations have birthed rich literacy cultures in hundreds of schools and districts, resulting in heightened motivation and improved test scores. Drawing from a rich educational tapestry, Bonnie has served as an Associate Literacy Professor at Bethel University, overseen the K–12 Teacher of Reading Program at the University of Minnesota, and held the role of State Reading Specialist for the Minnesota Department of Education. Her tenure as Program Director for the Education and Learning program at a leading philanthropic organization adds a unique layer of insight to her expertise. Accumulating over 25 years in the field of education, Bonnie Houck possesses a profound understanding of the intricate elements driving school reform and the dynamic field of literacy education. Her recent publications underscore the vital importance of inclusive and effective instruction across the curriculum, solidifying her status as an education luminary. Dr. Houck's extensive licensures encompass elementary education, Prek-12 reading development, K-12 principal administration, and K-12 literacy administration.

​Participants will earn .5 credit (7.5 hours) toward license renewal!

This workshop ALSO counts for step advancement in Clark and most Nevada School Districts! & In CCSD, those in non-administrative licensed positions may count this workshop for license

renewal AND ALSO CU accrual - THOSE IN NON-ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS EARN BOTH!

In CCSD, administrators and professional-technical administrators may count this workshop for license renewal OR hour accrual toward step-advancement - not both for administrators.

Washoe County participants will be required to also register for this course in "MyPGS" in order to receive in-service credit toward salary advancement.

Become a NASA Member and register at a lower rate!

Anyone can become a NASA Member!

To become a NASA Member go to:

WWW.NASANV.ORG