It seems like almost every elementary school is adding a literacy coach to the faculty these days - but who will coach the coaches? Literacy Coach Jumpstart is a one-day workshop designed to help K-5 literacy coaches, curriculum coordinators, and school leaders acquire the skills they need for coaching success all year long.
Workshops and presentations tackle the toughest challenges coaches face, including:

• Creating year-long professional development goals and plans with teachers
• Mentoring new teachers and setting up veteran-novice teacher partnerships
• Designing and stocking a literacy resource room for teachers
• Demonstrating model lessons and strategies in K-5 classrooms
• Leading teacher workshops and study groups in diverse settings
• Scheduling to maximize coaching time in classrooms and teacher growth
• Conferring techniques that are most effective in coaching sessions
• Integrating curriculum coaching into regularly scheduled staff meetings
• Designing a year-long study group, coaching and assessment plan

Participants receive a wealth of print resources (over 80 pages of planning templates, budget checklists, conferring tip sheets, advice from veteran coaches, sample daily, weekly and year-long calendars) and a DVD of classroom-based vignettes of teachers in action for use in workshops. Workshop leaders take participants step-by-step through the design, implementation, and evaluation of study groups and workshops using these video resources. Here is an excerpt from the Layered Coaching DVD participants will receive:

Jennifer Allen is a literacy coach and reading specialist in Waterville, Maine and author of the bestselling books Becoming a Literacy Leader: Supporting Learning and Change and A Sense of Belonging: Mentoring New Teachers.

Testimonials from participants in previous workshops with Jennifer Allen:

Jen's entire presentation spoke volumes to me - it was so helpful to go through each layer of coaching.  The excellent organization and presentation made the day fly by - thanks!

                                                         Nancy Chodoroff

The presenter was well-prepared and knowledgeable.  It was all helpful and the videos were great.  Jennifer speaks from experience.

                                                             Lisa Mancione

Jennifer was very inspirational and easy to listen to.  She kept me very interested all day - this workshop would be very helpful for any administrator wanting to understand the true role of a literacy coach.

                                                              Jennifer Auld

With six literacy coaches across the district, this workshop was invaluable for moving forward in a unified fashion with tools that develop a common language - but are not prescriptive.  It was refreshing to learn from a practitioner who is still practicing their craft.

                                                        Elaine Zagrodny

The intentionality of how Jen plans for professional development - especially the difference between new and veteran teachers, was fascinating.  I was surprised at the amount of resources provided - chockfull of useful coaching information and the developmental cycle of coaching.

                                                             Karen Babbitt

This workshop promotes deep thinking about why and how we coach, while remaining grounded in learning and leadership theory.  So many practical examples!  Today has helped shape my thinking about how to structure my year, meetings, and work.

                                                            Lisa Ramos Hillegers

I was amazed the day went so fast!  Jen's engaging presentation style was a wonderful balance of theory and up close practice in schools.  I loved how the theories were directly and concretely applied to teaching and learning of students and adults. The workshop was engaging, and so full of "doable" ideas.  It offers great materials for coaches of different years and experience.  I have been a Choice Literacy subscriber for the past two years and am constantly finding great resources on the website.  I'm grateful to know the conferences are of the same amazing caliber.

                                                          Allyson Daley

Lovely setting, well paced, generous gifts, books, resources.  Effective, professional, and engaging delivery.  Wonderful!

                                                  Karen Sumaryono

What an inspirational educator! I wish everyone on my staff or in the district could attend.  Choice Literacy Workshops are my favorite professional development.

                                                    John Osgood

Jen is a great presenter and has a wealth of knowledge and experiences.  I loved the location, food, and people.

                                                 Kellie Josephson