Literacy Partners

Building a bridge between home and school takes intention and consistency! When you decide how to communicate the amazing learning happening in the classroom with families, consider handing students the pen! Head to our latest blog post where LP staff developer Megan explains how to engage students in writing family communication. Link in bio! 💻 literacypartners.com/blog

Sometimes a weekly email may be best, but a physical newsletter encapsulating the week’s learning can support families as well. You may also consider recording videos to help demonstrate something you need parents to complete, or demonstrating how to access an important school resource. For more tips and strategies, be sure to check out our newest blog post, Engaging Families in the Learning ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gQxHwguu

Welcoming new students into your classroom also means welcoming new families! Family engagement can look different depending on your school community, and it can be hard to know where to start - but building relationships with families can play a HUGE part in the success of your students! Check out our latest blog for all the details on what to consider in your partnership with families this year. Head to the link in bio or literacypartners.com/blog #literacy #literacymatters #earlyliteracy #literacyday #literacycoach #literacycoaching #literacyforall #literacyskills #literacyspecialist

And new to our team is Megan, a passionate advocate for engaging families in student learning and bringing effective literacy practices to schools she supports. Growing up in Los Angeles, Megan was always the kid walking around with her arms full of books, nestled into the corner of the public library, or writing poems on post-its and cafeteria napkins. While earning a degree from UCLA in English Literature and Education Studies, Megan dove into working in schools, giving her an opportunity to apply the theory and pedagogy she was learning to real classrooms across Los Angeles. After earning a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education at Loyola Marymount University, Megan began teaching in West LA and helped lead the transformation of reading and writing instruction at her school site. After years of teaching, she transitioned into the role of instructional coach, supporting and developing teachers in TK through fifth grade. Megan is passionate about helping teachers feel knowledgeable and prepared as they help build young learners into lifelong readers and writers. Working in public, charter, and private schools, Megan has seen firsthand the power of effective, student-centered literacy instruction. When she’s not in a classroom with students and teachers, you can find Megan spending time with friends and family, in a yoga class, or lying on a blanket at the park reading.

Engaging Families in the Learning: Creating a Bridge Between School and Home for Readers and Writers

Our team does monthly professional reading and this book had so many gems. We have always known that identity work is important to do but @gholdym really gets into why and that if we are only doing it only at the beginning as a community builder, we are missing so many opportunities to truly help our kids know themselves and know each other. What kinds of activities do you do to help kids build identity at school? Please comment below.

Meet Lily, lead staff developer who specializes in supporting teachers in upper elementary and middle school. Originally from Sacramento, California, Lily’s passion for reading and writing grew at a young age. She spent much of her childhood writing in journals and growing her Babysitters Club book series collection. After obtaining her degree in Art History from UC Berkeley in 2010, she became an educator. She went on to earn a Master of Education at Stanford University, where she deepened her understanding of the intersection between literacy and social justice. She started her career in education teaching sixth grade in East Palo Alto. Later, she relocated to New York, where she taught elementary school, before finally heading back to the West Coast and settling in Los Angeles. Through her work with elementary students and as an instructional coach in charter and independent schools, Lily has witnessed the transformative power of literacy for young learners. She’s committed to cultivating her students’ empathy, growth mindset, and independence through literacy practices. When she’s not working with schools, you’ll probably find her lost in a book, enjoying the outdoors, trying new restaurants, or snuggling with Daisy, her Himalayan kitten.

We loved this book so much that we gave it to ALL of our school leaders to read. The impact this book can make on our schools and districts is HUGE. When the focus for so many teachers seems to be on test prep, this quote really struck us. Thank you @gholdym for your work and for this gem! Please share your comments below.

Shining a spotlight on Mercedes, our lead bilingual staff developer, who specializes in supporting educators at our dual immersion schools! Mercedes is a first-generation college graduate born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a Chicano minor from the University of Los Angeles. Later, she pursued her Master’s degree in Bilingual Elementary Education along with her teaching credential from Loyola Marymount University. She excitedly began her career as a Kindergarten Apprentice Teacher at KIPP Iluminar Academy in East Los Angeles. Mercedes began her journey in education by founding third-grade Science and Social Studies and working as a third-grade lead teacher for four years. She then went on to teach fourth grade for a few years as a grade-level lead. In her free time, Mercedes enjoys spending time with family, dinner dates, and hiking. In her tenth year in education, Mercedes continues to inspire teachers and students through building relationships, fostering a culture of trust and risk-taking, and developing more inclusive spaces for teachers and students.

Begin the school year by embracing every student's story. Don’t worry, it’s not too late! You can still take the time to engage your class with identity webs, heart maps, and 'I am' poems to make everyone feel seen and heard. These powerful activities not only build community but can also support kids with different subject areas throughout the year. Learn how to integrate these into your curriculum ➡️ literacypartners.com/blog