The first international training program for literacy coaches started in the fall of 2007 and was jointly sponsored by NESA. Since that time, there have been 7 other cohorts sponsored by NESA, ECIS, and CEESA. Each cohort is made up of approximately 25 participants representing many different countries, schools, grade levels, roles, and educational speciality areas. In fact, over 75 schools have enrolled literacy leaders in the ILCC. Prior participants have held positions as classroom teacher, grade level leader, literacy coach, curriculum specialist, ELL teacher, director of teaching and learning, and represented grades from early years through high school. Under the direction of Carrie Ekey, Monica Medina, Katherine Casey and Shannon Hobbs-Beckley these teachers completed a two year program with our most recent cohort graduating in Valletta, Malta in March 2024. The opportunity for in-depth, focused training over time coupled with the ability to network with literacy enthusiasts from schools around the world have been especially valuable to the participants and impactful on schools.
A knowledgeable, well trained literacy coach can support the work of principals and curriculum specialists by providing deep and sustainable change in literacy instruction at the classroom level. The literacy coach is someone who can induct and mentor new teachers, organize professional book studies, and provide demonstrations on teaching as well as engage in side by side coaching in ways that principals and curriculum leaders are not able to.
The training is designed to help cohort participants support their schools while deepening their own knowledge of literacy and assessment. They will learn ways to facilitate small groups of teachers in analysis of student work, begin to understand adult learners, as well as analyze the curricular components necessary to a balanced literacy program. Midway through the year Shannon Beckley, literacy consultant, will join the group and provide training in coaching models of demonstration on teaching, coaching conferences and side by side coaching. The cohort participants will deepen their coaching skills as well as continue to strengthen their professional network of teacher leaders.
This ILCC experience has changed my career more than any other professional learning. I learned and practiced the skills of being a coach, deepened my knowledge of literacy, and created a network of colleagues with a wealth of knowledge that I can draw upon. If you are wanting to have a positive impact with your team, in your division, or your school, this is the professional learning experience for you! (Rani West-Singh American School of Doha)
The knowledge I gained from working with these extremely devoted teachers, mentors, friends and professionals will truly impact the way we teach Literacy at our school for years to come. (Amy Truex, Benjamin Franklin International School, Barcelona Spain)
© 2024 by Monica Medina
