It might be mid-July, but class was in session for educators from Port Byron Central School District.
More than 20 educators recently participated in a socially distance LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) training to discover how to transform their instructional practices based on the science of reading. The training, which was facilitated by Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES Professional Learning Coach Katie Naples and Port Byron Reading Teacher Stacey Cummings, was a continuation of work that some of the participants started before school closed in March.
“The teachers in our group are committed to learning how children learn how to read,” said Naples. “It was so nice to get together again after the closure to continue our learning adventure!”
Naples said the LETRS trainings are so important because teachers often go through their schooling without learning the essentials of teaching reading. Naples said after going through the training and becoming a facilitator, she feels the trainings have transformed how she teaches children and coaches teachers.
“My favorite part of the training is when teachers have that ‘a-ha’ moment. Just like in the classroom with children, it’s magical,” she said, “The conversations surrounding literacy throughout the trainings are rich. We all have more to learn, and the best way to do that is by having deep discussions together.”
Naples said literacy is the key to opening so many doors for our children.
“The more tools and knowledge we share with our teachers, the more prepared our students will be for life’s journey throughout school and beyond,” she said.