To introduce new learning about literacy in my community, I hosted several Denver events in January. My primary goal was to spread awareness of our national illiteracy crisis. My secondary goal was to share the instructional methods that will remedy the crisis. 

In February, I began targeted engagements. I met with teachers, administrators, nonprofit professionals, folks in the public sector, parents, and friends of friends. We talked about how we can come together to make a meaningful difference for those in our community who are sub-literate or illiterate. We talked about the dire need to support older students who are nearing high school graduation despite reading and writing well below grade level. We talked about enriching the literacy instruction of our youngest students by making sure their listening and speaking skills are developed to prepare them for reading and writing instruction in kindergarten and first grade. As I met with these new partners and professionals, I introduced Evidence Based Literacy Instruction (EBLI) as the best training tool available to employ in our battle against illiteracy. 

During this time I met an incredible special educator named Pam. In my first conversation with her, she walked me through the sequence of how she delivered lessons to her high school linguistics students. She explained to me that she spent multiple years teaching her students with the Wilson Reading System. Despite her training and skill, she was frustrated that she was unable to teach kids the entire Wilson curriculum before they graduated, it just took too long. I knew that Pam would love to learn about EBLI because it would offer her the same things it offered me… effective and efficient instruction for kids who were lagging behind their peers. 

Pam invited me to visit her class. As impressed as I was by her students, I was sad to see how uninspired they were by the Wilson Reading System lessons. I was distraught with the realization that despite all of Pam’s passion, experience and effort, most of her students would graduate without being fully literate. 

For two months, I’ve been back to Pam’s class every day. I use EBLI and the kids are doing great with the material. They are challenged and engaged. Pam is just as awestruck as I am with the brilliance of the approach and the pace of the instruction. We are blown away by the growth the students are exhibiting after only a few hours of EBLI instruction. There are still two months remaining in the school year. We have work to do. We are excited to share EBLI as widely as possible. Pam’s classroom has become a showcase for Denver educational leaders to see EBLI in action. 

The past three months have been full of positive energy, excitement, and possibility. Pam and I are on our way to sharing our message. I love having Pam and her students as partners in the work. I am also beyond thankful for the professionals I’ve met throughout our city who are rooting for us and our students. 

Please visit my new updated Project Our Town Literacy Matters webpage. You’ll see samples of student work, parent testimonials, resources and ways to connect. Join me, together we can rise to the challenge of the illiteracy crisis.