Becoming a Literacy Leader: Supporting Learning and Change

by Jennifer Allen, Franki Sibberson, Karen Szymusiak

Becoming a Literacy Leader chronicles the work of Jennifer Allen, an elementary teacher who moved to a new school and a new job as a literacy specialist, and found herself tackling everything from teacher study groups to state-mandated assessment plans. The book is rooted in Jennifer's belief that teachers know what they need when it comes to professional development in literacy, and the best literacy leaders are those who listen to and respect the educators in their midst. Grounded in research but thoroughly practical, Jennifer shares advice on:


organizing a literacy room with resources for classroom teachers, including book lists, bins of children's books tied to craft and strategy lessons, bulletin board ideas, and files with instructional materials;
developing intervention classrooms for struggling readers and writers built on collaboration between teachers and literacy specialists;
setting up assessment notebooks for teachers, and preparing new and veteran teachers for student assessments across grades;
creating model programs for dealing with schoolwide problems like reading fluency, and then moving from the pilot to implementation in many classrooms;
coaching new and veteran teachers in the latest literacy practices, without taking on the role of expert;
analyzing and using books, videos and journals in professional development programs;
infusing routine staff meetings with discussions of new literacy curricula;
leading teacher study groups using a variety of formats;
finding and budgeting money for professional development programs in literacy;
protecting time and scheduling priorities, to ensure the literacy specialist position doesn't become a “catch-all” for the random needs of teachers or administrators.
At a time when all administrators are urged to be literacy leaders, this insider's view helps to define what leadership looks like and shows how to create an environment that fosters professional development. Jennifer Allen shares the balance leaders struggle with, as they strive to support and honor the fine practices of teachers, even as they nudge colleagues to improve their literacy instruction. Ultimately, Becoming a Literacy Leader is a hopeful book, an optimistic and realistic portrait of life in schools among teachers committed to doing their jobs well.

Genres: Education, Professional Development, Teaching, School, Nonfiction

184 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Trina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first edition of Jennifer Allen's book several years ago. Although I liked the first edition, I got so much more from the second edition. It made me think about how I can tweak some things to be better at my job as a literacy coach. My favorite part of her book was the message that being effective in an educational setting (or really in most professional settings) begins with a shared understanding and the attitude that we need to make meaning together. Allen reminds me that we all need to "row" in the same direction to make meaningful and positive change.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I could upload a picture of my copy of this book. It is tabbed with post-it notes for future reference! Allen does a great job of outlining what it's like to be a literacy specialist/coach and the organizational structures is requires. I will certainly refer to this many times throughout the year in my new role as literacy coach.

[Sasha Hamrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second edition of this book was exactly what I needed during my time as a coach. Now that I’m in a more non-traditional coaching role, I still find many of the practices useful and relevant. I plan to recommend it to every school or district leader and any aspiring coach I meet. I’m so grateful this was assigned in one of my graduate courses!

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is for the 2nd edition...a very practical, honest resource about leading literacy efforts in an elementary school. You will find yourself going back into the text repeatedly, asking, "Where did I see that before?" Essential book for instructional coaches and any elementary school leader.

[Kandachamy Vijayakumaran · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ideas described in the book are relevant to the western system of education where close interaction among students, teachers, experts and parents is possible. I had a fancy that the idea can be emulated in the Indian context. But our school systems do not believe literacy as an essential trait.

[Barbara Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that explicitly explains and models the role of the literacy coach.

[Alicia Low · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the account of her becoming a literacy specialist and the ways in which she supported teachers in her school. As an EAL specialist floundering in finding balance between in-class support and withdrawal, I found her intervention classroom setup especially fascinating. It was encouraging that the school and teachers were fully supportive of her plan. In addition, I learned a great deal from her sharing about study groups for professional learning and team-teaching strategy-based lessons. As a new and young educator, I appreciated her perspective that it takes practice and time for a teacher to incorporate new teaching strategies.

[NICOLE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thinking of becoming a literacy leader in your school or community? This text is for you. The text is a support tool from the real life accounts of Jennifer Allen. She offers advice on: how to organize her classroom for adults and students, resources to use, how to make professional developments meaningful to teachers, how to "be" a literacy leader and changing roles, as well as many other insights on what it takes to become a literacy leader in a supportive role to teachers, staff, and administration.

[Robin Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for school work!

[Diana Pettis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book because Jennifer Allen gives real life examples about the role of a literacy specialist. As I get ready to start my new position this book gives me many ideas. I especially enjoyed about the role that study groups have to help teachers gain knowledge about literacy as well as how she designs her space at her schools.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about the author's journey to make positive literacy changes in her school. It reminds me that change can be slower than I'd like, but well worth the effort as teachers begin trying different strategies and seeking out discussions with each other.

[Sheri]

Great, easy read for literacy coaches. Many chapters are very specific to Jennifer Allen's school and probably not possible in other schools. However, her ideas for room arrangement, scheduling and working with teachers, mentor texts and study groups are worth reading.

[Joanna Brauckmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book discussing how to leading with gentle guidance, add structure to any program, use evidence-based research and loads of professional resource suggestions! I wish I had had this book 4 years ago when I first started as Language Coordinator!!

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allen uses her real life experiences to guide new and experienced Literacy Coaches on this crazy, not very deeply explored, quest. I have taken many of her ideas and worked them into my own practice. Plus, I have many that are tucked away for years to come.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for reading coaches! I love her ideas on the classroom set up, staff picks, and bulletin boards!

[Donnie Ydette · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful read!

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I was looking for, but a decent read.

[TheGirlWhoReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can we binge read professional development books? Having dipped into John O'Neill's book on curriculum management, I am just about to revise this one. *excited*

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure how this woman ever manages to sleep, but I would like to be her.

[Lou Broughton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great straight forward book with great ideas for campus based literacy specialists.