This week I had the privilege of working with fourth and fifth grade teachers, teachers of students with special needs, principals, and literacy leaders focusing on implementing Reading Workshop in the upcoming 13-14 school year. Guiding professionals through new content is exciting and energizing for me. It also sparks the feeling of the "scary reality" that practically every teacher today faces: My plate is BEYOND full! With the implementation of new curriculum (especially if more than one content area is newly adopted... which for some in my group was the case), it is inevitable to feel incredibly overwhelmed. Nonetheless, the educators I worked with this week powered through the Reading Workshop training with me and I think left today feeling more comfortable walking into the new school year.
The educators showed their professional growth by reflecting on their understanding of Reading Workshop on Day 1 to Day 3 (really 2 1/2). I hope they continually reflect on their journey in using the Reading Workshop model.
It was an absolute pleasure to facilitate the Reading Workshop professional development this week. I wish all of my fellow literacy teachers luck as they set up their workshop practices in the coming year!
:) Sarah
