Featured Professional Learning Opportunities
Engaging Writing About Reading: Building Thinking, Independence, and Test-Ready Writers
Grades 3-8How do we help students write stronger responses to text that supports deeper comprehension? This one-day session focuses on writing about reading as a thinking practice that supports comprehension, engagement, and builds students’ confidence with on-demand writing.
The Six Essential Elements for Systemic Literacy Improvement (Complimentary Webinar)
K-8Join us for this 45-minute webinar to explore what it takes to improve literacy outcomes across your school or district.
Joyful Writing: Fostering Young Writers in PreK and K
Pre-kindergarten and KindergartenThis workshop guides early childhood teachers in building joyful writing communities through play, storytelling, book making, and drawing. Participants learn to view children’s early writing with fresh insight and plan purposeful lessons that build confidence, develop craft, and support foundational writing conventions.
Over 35 Years of Academic Excellence in Literacy Learning
The Center for Literacy Teaching & Instructional Leadership at Lesley University has been engaged in thirty-five years of innovative, research-based, system-wide educational improvement efforts. We are focused on a single mission—to ensure that every child has the opportunity to live a literate life.
We have been working with educators in school systems to improve children’s literacy.
35 Years
of experience improving
childhood literacy
50,000+
educators served from
across the nation and
around the world
Millions
of children’s lives
improved through literacy
Featured Blog Posts
Analyzing Hip-Hop as Text: Teaching Students to Read the World Through Culture
Hip-hop is powerful because it provides a voice and a platform to marginalized communities and critiques injustice. It continues to be a powerful means for young people to critique social injustice, demand change, and celebrate their identities—offering not just music, but a way to imagine and create a better world. At its core, hip-hop is a culture that critiques society.
Season’s Readings: 2025 December Holiday Books
The holiday season is a wonderful time to spark joy, build community, and celebrate some of the traditions your students bring into the classroom.
Reaching All Learners Matters More Than Ever
Classrooms are full of potential, bursting with students who each bring their own strengths, ideas, and perspectives. This year’s Reaching All Learners Speaker Series, kicking off in January 2026, is designed to equip you with the tools you need to make the most of every student’s potential—celebrating diversity, sparking engagement, and discovering ways to make learning meaningful for every student.