Literacy Changemakers: Bringing the Joy of Reading and Writing Into Focus for Teachers and Students

This inspiring book shows how K–12 teachers, literacy specialists and coaches, and school- and district-level administrators can work together to make needed instructional improvements while fostering a lifelong love of reading and writing. The book presents collaborative leadership strategies and research-based best practices for creating joyful, effective learning environments. It includes ways to evaluate and recalibrate literacy programs for sustainable change, provide students with a wide variety of engaging reading opportunities, meet the needs of English learners and adolescent learners, partner with families, and enhance professional learning and development. Teacher-friendly features include practical tips and "Stop, Think, and Take Action" sections in each chapter. Several reproducible forms can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.

Kenneth Kunz, EdD, is Assistant Professor of Literacy/Language Arts at Monmouth University and serves as co-president of the New Jersey Literacy Association. He is also on the board of the International Literacy Association and the advisory board of the Rutgers Center for Literacy Development. Dr. Kunz began his career as a third-grade teacher in the New Jersey Public Schools and was recognized as an outstanding teacher through the New Jersey Governor’s Teacher Recognition Program. He was awarded an Edward Fry Fellowship in Literacy at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Dr. Kunz has served in the roles of teacher, reading specialist/coach, school administrator, district administrator, and teacher educator. His website is www.fortheloveofliteracy.net.
 
Maureen Hall, EdS, is a literacy coach in several districts across New Jersey. She is co-president of the New Jersey Literacy Association and serves on the advisory board for the Rutgers Center for Literacy Development. Ms. Hall was recognized as an outstanding teacher through the New Jersey Governor’s Teacher Recognition Program and has served in the roles of teacher, reading specialist/coach, school administrator, district administrator, and teacher educator.
 
Rachel Lella, EdD, is Supervisor of Elementary Education and K–12 English as a Second Language in the Wall Township (New Jersey) Public Schools and serves on the board of the New Jersey Literacy Association. She began her career in education working with preschool students and went on to teach third- and fourth-grade language arts/literacy in a Title I district, where she had the opportunity to work closely with multilingual learners and their families. Dr. Lella is a recipient of a scholarship from the Rutgers Center for Literacy Development and an Edward Fry Fellowship in Literacy at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. She has served in the roles of teacher and district administrator.
 

Foreword, Diane Lapp
1. Shared Literacy Leadership: Getting Involved on Behalf of All Readers and Writers
2. Engaging and Joyful Literacy Leadership
3. Telling Your School or District’s Literacy “Story”
4. Rethinking Professional Development and Professional Learning Communities: Teacher-Centered Opportunities for Authentic Buy-In
5. Recalibrating Literacy Programs: What Makes the Best Learning Environment?
6. Recalibrating Literacy Programs: What Works for Early Literacy?
7. Recalibrating Literacy Programs: What Works for Adolescent Learners?
8. “Eyes Lit Up With Joy”: Advocating for Multilingual Learners
9. Family Literacy
10. New Literacies and Technology
References
Index