Adolescent Literacy Network Making an Impact
Mansfield, OH (November 1, 2023) – In its second year of the program, MOESC’s Adolescent Literacy Network is making an impact. The Adolescent Literacy Network brings together teams of administrators and teachers in math, science, social studies, ELA, health & physical education, as well as teachers of CTE courses, to explore aspects of leadership and evidence-based instructional practices that leverage literacy across content areas.
The AL Network’s influence is being witnessed at a district level. Catherine Puster, Director of Educational Programs at Crestview Local Schools says, “From a District perspective, this training expands and provides an extension to the science of reading in the primary grades. This network has already sparked rich conversations among teachers and administrators regarding district goals. Our teachers who have already utilized the explicit instruction of academic vocabulary have observed positive results!”
Fifty teachers and administrators from eight school districts are currently enrolled in the program, with 31 new participants this year alone. Kori Beasley, a math teacher at Mansfield City Schools, says, “I believe in this implementation so strongly and am so glad to be a part of the leadership team to help my colleagues understand ways to better incorporate literacy strategies in their own classrooms.” Mansfield City Schools social studies teacher, Danny Logan explains how the team is able to help their colleagues use the learned strategies: “Our Adolescent Literacy team has been given the time during building professional development to bring useful and valuable information back to our colleagues so all of our teachers can have the opportunity to help students flourish in reading and writing in the classroom.”
Samantha Mowry, a sixth-grade teacher at Highland Local Schools and new AL Network participant, likes having the opportunity to be both a learner and a student: “As a new teacher to the network, I am uniquely supported by teachers from my school that attended last year and by teachers of ELA from other schools. It is a powerful experience to be both a learner and be able to lead and share what I do at the same time. I have already applied what I've learned to my own classroom.”
Other schools participating in the Adolescent Literacy Network are Lexington Local Schools, GOAL Digital Academy, Mt. Gilead Exempted Village Schools, Lucas Local Schools and Marion City Schools.
The network has met twice this school year already and will meet again in December, February and May with three main program outcomes in mind: intentionally raise up teacher leaders in each content area, build capacity in the school system regarding disciplinary literacy in the adolescent grades, and invest in high impact practices rooted in evidence to improve student outcomes. In between network meetings, Mid-Ohio’s literacy consultants provide support to teacher teams.
Danya Davis, Literacy Consultant, explains the impact the AL Network has seen already, “The network is in its second year, and attending teacher leaders are emerging as impactful leaders within their respective districts. When we designed this, we always wanted teachers to feel empowered to share best practices and facilitate learning within their districts. It is exciting to see this happening in districts. We are seeing a framework for peer coaching come to life within the districts.”
Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center provides specialized academic and support services to 13 school districts and over 20,000 students in Crawford, Morrow and Richland Counties. Client districts receive services from curriculum, gifted and special education consultants, speech pathologists, psychologists, special education teachers, occupational therapists and physical therapists