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professional learning

What Coaches Need to Succeed: A Research-Informed Model for Supporting Coaches

September 28, 2026 Cindy Downend, Director

Coaching can be one of the most rewarding roles in a school, but it can also be isolating. Coaches occupy a unique space: they are not administrators, but their role also differs significantly from that of classroom teachers and specialists. Here are 5 things coaches need to thrive.

Tags: Coaching

Poolside PD

May 20, 2026 Cindy Downend, Director

Summer is the perfect time to slow down, recharge, and dive into a great book that refreshes your literacy knowledge. In this blog post, Cindy Downend shares a thoughtful collection of professional texts for literacy educators — covering early literacy, writing instruction, purposeful reading, and evidence-based teaching practices — all perfect for your summer poolside PD.

Tags: Teaching

Upcoming Professional Development

November 12-13, 2026

Thinking Beyond the Page: Developing Deep Comprehension

Comprehension is the heart of reading—and it goes far beyond understanding the words on the page. Join us to learn practical ways to help students move from surface-level understanding to deeper analysis, meaningful reflection, and critical thinking about what they read.

$595 (includes professional text)
November 10, 2026

Playful Pathways to Print: Learning About Language, Letters, Sounds, and Words

Explore how to turn young children’s love for playing with the sounds of language into meaningful literacy learning during this one-day workshop.

$295
November 2 - December 22, 2026 (Fall Term II)

Linking Assessment to Teaching: Reading, Writing & Word Study

In this 8-week online course, you’ll learn how to gather and analyze evidence from students’ reading, writing, word study, and oral language to make responsive instructional decisions. Discover practical approaches to identifying students’ strengths and needs, then use those insights to design effective literacy instruction that supports every learner.

$2,895 ($915/credit + $50/credit comprehensive fee) - does not include required texts

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