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RRCNA Membership Spotlight: Celia Victoria

2023-07-25T12:35:38-05:00July 25th, 2023|Latest News|

Learn about your colleagues from across the country who do whatever it takes as part of the Reading Recovery Community! Celia was able to attend LitCon this year because of a generous financial award from the Foundation for Struggling Readers.

What is your favorite thing about Reading Recovery?

My favorite thing about Reading Recovery is the community of Reading Recovery teachers I am fortunate to be a part of. Every single RR teacher in our district is committed and driven to improve their skills and craft to meet the unique needs of each child. It is truly an honor to be part of this amazing group. We work together to better meet the needs of all our students through meetings, phone calls, observing each other, collaborating discussion of best practices with the child always in mind.
Share a favorite Reading Recovery memory.
      
My favorite Reading Recovery memory is one I treasure the most. It happened during the pandemic in virtual learning online. I was working with a child who did not want to do his part as a learner. He would show up late to our online meeting, unprepared with broken materials or none at all, and with the most negative attitude. He was not a happy student at all. It was very difficult to deal with this student, yet I didn’t give up and with some hope and lots of love, things took a shift. I must have taken materials to his house about 3 times and gone over how to take care of them each time. I was fortunate to have mom’s support and together little by little we were able to motivate him to improve his effort and mindset. At the mid-program, he had transformed into a focused, eager, and motivated child. We had to incorporate a contract by the end of the lesson, which he loved as it was clear what was expected of him and what he had control over. This transformed his life. He would be on time, ready to learn on his table, with all materials ready to go, he made every effort to try his best in his lesson tasks. He was an eager learner at the end of the 20 weeks. He still needed to work on his literacy skills but the greatest discovery was he could learn, literacy was attainable, and he had control all along. At the end, he was a happy student who loved to learn. I will always remember the transformation this kid went through before my eyes and it was all because I took the time to know him and find out how he learned and what motivated him.

What is your favorite book?

My children’s book is How Rocket Learned to Read. Rocket the dog, was not interested in learning to read. The bird with its patience and expertise, managed to spark curiosity in Rocket to want to learn. It is much like how we start with our students. We plant seeds that grow in discovery and curiosity as a learner.

What do you like to do for fun?

I love to spend time with my family. Due to Covid, we had stopped gathering for a while and that was hard for me, but now we are slowly going back to our previous routines. We meet and potluck food dishes. My cup is filled every time I see my family. My children get to see their grandparents and hear their stories as well as play with their cousins. I feel blessed to have a big family. Another thing I do for fun is walk with my friends on the weekends. It is important to stay present with the people you care about. Many of my friends are also my colleagues from work. They are my work family and we work together as a team. Spending time away from work is healthy and important for the soul.

Thank you to our Associate Members and development partners who generously sponsored 2022 – 2023 financial awards

Geri Stone Memorial Fund – Tenyo Family Foundation Grant – Debby Wood Grant – Dr. Olson PD Grant – Teresa Douglas PD Award

Celebrating Diverse Paths to Literate Lives: The International Reading Recovery Institute

2023-07-18T12:43:20-05:00July 18th, 2023|Latest News|

Last week, school was out, but the International Reading Recovery Institute was in! The Institute celebrated diverse paths to literate lives, with Reading Recovery leaders and educators from around the globe sharing their knowledge and passion in Indianapolis.

The first day began with Embracing Alternative and Multiple Literacies to Create Greater Equity in Education and Schooling, presented by Dr. Ann Lopez, followed by a Teacher Leader Seminar. Each day of learning contained keynote sessions, featured speakers, and concurrent sessions. From Engaging with Indigenous Theories in Reading Recovery to Creating a Community of Support: Transition for Reading Recovery Students into the Classroom, there was something for everyone. The Welcome Reception, sponsored by Richard C. Owens Publishers, ended the first day with fun and fellowship. Attendees relaxed and connected with their counterparts worldwide — including the United States, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

Between sessions, attendees browsed the exhibitors, including Blueberry Hill Books, Heinemann, MaryRuth Books, Pioneer Valley, SongLake Books, and Reading Reading Books, and checked out their book selections. Everywhere you looked, attendees connected with one another and shared ideas. 

When attendees weren’t learning on-site, they were exploring all the bustling city of Indianapolis had to offer. Groups journeyed down the Cultural Walk of downtown public open spaces, taste-tested local restaurants, and followed the Canal Walk. On the last evening of the institute, attendees gathered at Eiteljorg Museum to learn about the art, history, and diverse cultures of Native America and the West. After a guided tour, everyone celebrated a successful International Reading Recovery Institute over dinner.

The last keynote closed out the institute with De(Limiting) Literate Lives: Expanding Politics and Pathways as an Ethical Imperative by Dr. Mariana Souto-Manning. After three days of fellowship, celebration, and knowledge-sharing, it was time for attendees to pack their bags and catch their flights, with the sound of the New Zealand delegate’s heartfelt closing song following the attendees home.

RRCNA Membership Spotlight: Patricia Arce-Marin

2023-07-06T12:06:37-05:00July 6th, 2023|Latest News|

Learn about your colleagues from across the country who do whatever it takes as part of the Reading Recovery Community! Patricia was able to attend LitCon this year because of a generous financial award from the Foundation for Struggling Readers.

What is your favorite thing about Reading Recovery?

My favorite thing about Reading Recovery is that it is grounded in an asset based ideology. The idea that all students can achieve high levels of success, given appropriate support regardless of past performance is something I truly connect with. The children we serve may be in the lowest 20% of their class at the outset, but their strengths can be leveraged to drive their individualized programs and allow them to thrive.
Share a favorite Reading Recovery memory.
      
Although I only have the RR training year under my belt, I have had countless unforgettable moments with families and students. One recent interaction really stands out in my mind as it was a reminder of just how important our charge is. My current student, whom I’ll call J.J. started off Roaming stating, “I don’t know how to read.” By the end of our roaming sessions, there was a clear shift in his demeanor and overall confidence as a reader. As we wrapped up the 1st week of formal lessons (week 3), I ran into J.J’s parents after school. J.J. ‘s mom was overjoyed to finally meet me in person as we had only spoken on the phone or exchanged text messages up to that point. She thanked me profusely for supporting her son and said, “I don’t know what you are doing, but I have seen him grow so much in the last few weeks.” His mom went on to tell me how J.J. had been assembling and reading his cut-up story independently and reading his familiar books every night. She shared in amazement that she “had never seen him like this before.” This testimony speaks to the power of Reading Recovery and how we, Reading Recovery teachers, truly are growing readers one at a time. His mom’s message not only filled my cup as a teacher but affirmed the importance of the work we do. We are setting up young scholars for a lifetime of literacy and success and this brief exchange reminded me just how important this work is.

What is your favorite book?

This is a tough question, as there are many. If we are talking about reading for fun, a recent favorite that I could not put down is The Alice Network by Kate Quinn. I love how the two female protagonists’ stories intertwine and the author’s use of flashback and flash forward between WWI & WWII. If I’m thinking of professional development books, The Next Step Forward In Guided Reading by Jan Richardson has been a constant presence and reference in the past school year. My Reading Recovery teaching partner and I did a book study this past year at school utilizing this text and have used it to inform our practice around guided reading. We will also be using this book for staff PD this school year. Now if we are talking about my favorite Reading Recovery student book, I really like all The Big Spider books, but my favorite in that series is Smack by Bob Martin. I just love how students nearly fall out of their seats laughing when the mom smacks dad with the rolled up paper. It’s my favorite because of the kids’ reaction to it. They just think it’s hilarious.

What do you like to do for fun?

Some of the things I enjoy and find fun include bicycling around my neighborhood with my children, going for long walks or drives, getting lost in a good book, exploring new places, and just spending time with my family or connecting with friends. I also love watching movies, attending concerts, and visiting museums.

Thank you to our Associate Members and development partners who generously sponsored 2022 – 2023 financial awards

Geri Stone Memorial Fund – Tenyo Family Foundation Grant – Debby Wood Grant – Dr. Olson PD Grant – Teresa Douglas PD Award

What Works Clearinghouse again confirms positive outcomes for Reading Recovery

2023-06-28T11:16:50-05:00June 28th, 2023|Latest News|

PRINTABLE VERSION

COLUMBUS, OH, JUNE 28, 2023 – The What Works Clearinghouse, an investment of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) within the U.S. Department of Education, again confirmed the effectiveness of Reading Recovery during a 10-year review of research studies.

The research arm of the U.S. Department of Education doubled down on the findings of its 2013 review, finding additional positive effects for students of the early literacy intervention. Among the data in the 2023 report, an IES release cited, “…moderate evidence that Reading Recovery® positively impacted student achievement in literacy immediately after the intervention. There is also promising evidence that the program positively impacted writing productivity and receptive communication immediately after the intervention and writing conventions 3 years after the intervention.”

IMPROVEMENT INDEX

Notably, the 2023 What Works Clearinghouse report negates recent legislation in many states restricting Reading Recovery from use in school districts due to lack of research-based evidence. Those states must now reevaluate their menus of allowed interventions to include this recent scientific confirmation of the evidence-based effectiveness of Reading Recovery.

ABOUT READING RECOVERY

Nearly 2.5 million struggling first graders in the United States have benefitted from the one-to-one teaching expertise of Reading Recovery professionals. The intervention, introduced to North America in 1984 by educators at The Ohio State University, has more research proving its effectiveness than any other beginning reading program. Learn more at www.readingrecovery.org. 

ABOUT THE READING RECOVERY COUNCIL OF NORTH AMERICA

The Reading Recovery Council of North America (RRCNA) is a not-for-profit association of Reading Recovery professionals and education partners. RRCNA provides a network of professional development opportunities, including LitCon: National K-8 Literacy & Reading Recovery Conference, where literacy leaders share their expertise with nearly 2,000 educators annually. For details, visit literacyconference.org.

Announcing 2023 Teacher Leader Award Winner Heather Cherry

2023-06-27T09:05:26-05:00June 27th, 2023|Latest News|

The Reading Recovery Council of North America is thrilled to announce Heather Cherry as the 2023 Teacher Leader Award recipient. Heather represents Broken Arrow Public Schools in Oklahoma. A graduate of Northeastern State University with over 22 years of experience teaching, she will be part of the first training class at Oklahoma State University and is excited to get started. “…I will utilize research to communicate the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of the Reading Recovery program to parents, educators, and members of the community,” she shares.

Teacher Leaders are highly trained professionals who are leaders in their local districts. They teach children, train Reading Recovery teachers for local schools, analyze and report student outcomes, educate the local educators, advocate for what cannot be compromised, and communicate with the public. Financial awards contributing to the cost of training are made possible thanks to generous donations to the Foundation for Struggling Readers.

Heather will share updates throughout her training year as part of the Follow My Journey blog series. Read through her membership spotlight below to get to know her before we follow along during her training year. Congratulations, Heather!

What is your favorite thing about Reading Recovery?

My favorite thing about Reading Recovery is the observable difference between the way a child carries themselves when they walk into the first day of roaming, versus the way they carry themselves as they walk out. There is simply no better experience than to be a part of changing a child’s self-identity from one born of defeat, to one born of possibility. It is truly magical to witness this transition from hunched shoulders and timid eyes, to puffed-out chest and head held high, as they carry that little book bag out the door with total confidence that they can read the treasures inside.

Share a favorite Reading Recovery memory.

A favorite Reading Recovery memory of mine didn’t actually take place during a Reading Recovery lesson. It was the day that I was on bus duty after school, a few years after completing my training year. I saw one of my students from that very first round, now at the end of his third grade year. He was waiting in the bus line as he proudly held a certificate of recognition he had received from his teacher that day. I could see it was a certificate for reading and when I asked him about it, he proudly held it up to show me. It wasn’t a recognition for reading achievement, though he could have very well been deserving of one. Instead, under his name, it read, “Nose always in a book!” I almost cried right there in front of him. I couldn’t think of a better accomplishment than to have contributed to that child’s love of reading! Not only was he an effective reader, performing at grade level, he was also a lover of reading, so much so, that it was what he was known for!

What is your favorite book?

One of my favorite books is The Tale of Despereaux, by Kate DiCamillo. It isn’t a book I would have chosen to read for myself, but I read it aloud to my third-grade class one year and then every year after, for the next 10 years. I was completely taken in by the artfully written story, that at first glance, seemed to be about a little mouse. What it turned out to be was a story about the human heart, the light, and dark that is present in every person. Most of all, it is a story of redemption and restoration, as the characters overcome the pain of loss, abuse, and unrealized dreams.
“Reader, do you think it is a terrible thing to hope when there is really no reason to hope at all?
Or is it (as the soldier said about happiness) something that you might just as well do,
since, in the end, it really makes no difference to anyone but you?”
-Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux

What do you like to do for fun?

“I am a nature girl, but not the live-off-the-land, survivalist kind. I’m more of a sit by the lake or hike a trail that leads to a waterfall, type. I love to be surrounded by God’s beautiful creation and if I have a book in my lap, it’s even better. I usually get my nature fix by camping with my family, at area lakes.”

Foundation for Struggling Readers

About the Foundation for Struggling Readers
Powered by gifts of all sizes, the Foundation for Struggling Readers supports educators, students, and communities through transformative advocacy, development, and engagement. Make a donation online or mail a check donation to: Reading Recovery Council of North America, 150 E. Wilson Bridge Rd., Ste. 200, Worthington, OH 43085

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