Lower School teachers Mrs. Maureen Carter and Ms. Marianela Morgan attended The Teachers College Reading and Writing Institute in New York City.
During the five day institute Mrs. Carter and Ms. Morgan had both small and large group sessions that revolved around various topics. They listened to inspirational stories of well known children authors such as, Pam Muñoz Ryan. Some of the conversations and lectures our teachers found to be the most interesting included: planning for the teaching of writing and establishing classroom structures that support inquiry and collaboration, helping students write well about reading, strategies for motivating students to produce their very best work, and using rich mentor texts to help students develop their writing.
Mrs. Carter said, “I was extremely lucky to have Lucy Calkins, the Robinson Professor of Children’s Literature at Teachers College, as my large group leader! She is very talented and passionate, and her enthusiasm for education is contagious. I think that all of the participants left the institute feeling inspired to create and support dynamic reading and writing workshops in classrooms. I walked away from the institute rejuvenated and inspired to continue to change the world of education!”
Ms. Morgan reflected “the institute was incredibly inspiring and revitalized my thinking as a writing teacher. I am excited to bring this energy and passion to my writing classes this year and elevate my students' written work.”
