History

In the summer of 2013, New York Community Trust issued a call for proposals, funded by the Brooke Astor Fund for New York City Education, for initiatives to “projects with potential to generate widespread, systemic improvement in reading skills in the early grades among disadvantaged students in New York City” (NYCT, RFP, 2013). Brooke Astor dedicated her philanthropy to supporting libraries, museums, and community programs in New York City. She was a great reader and wanted everyone to enjoy reading and believed that good reading skills were key to a good life.

A team of Hunter College School of Education educators, let by Dr. Jenny Tuten, worked together to develop a pilot project that drew upon their extensive work in literacy teacher education to support the professional development of second grade teachers in 3 East Harlem, District 4 schools. Together, we developed a model of professional development that would be grounded in research-supported practices in effective professional development that would support teachers in implementing strong literacy instruction in their classrooms.

We received additional implementation funding to expand the grant to 11 more schools and additional grades in Fall 2015.

• Provided professional development during grade-level meetings and on Monday afternoons.
• Planned with, modeled for, and supported teachers in the classroom.
• Conducted Monday afternoon PD for all K-2 teachers.

Strengthened our relationships with principals and schools.

• Provided schools with children’s books to support independent reading, read aloud, and guided reading.
• Provided teachers with professional books on Advanced Literacy, Guided Reading, and Talk.
• Hosted a half-day showcase for K-2 teachers in District 4. Picture book author Emma Otheguy was the keynote speaker. District teachers facilitated workshops for their colleagues. Provided all particpants with signed copies of Andrea’s book Mart’s Song.
• Facilitated professional learning sessions for principals on Advanced Literacy.
• Participated with principals in their summer retreat.
• Presented at NCTE and ILA conferences with District 4 teachers.

This was the final year of the grant. Some specialists continued to support individual schools, (with a lighter touch). In addition, worked with the district in a few strategic ways and developed this online resource.

• Facilitated a full day of professional learning for K-2 teachers in District 4. LIteracy leaders presented to colleagues. All participants received Jan Richardson’s Next Steps in Guided Reading.
• Provided ongoing support, with a lighter touch, to schools.
• Provided virtual support to teachers and principals during the COVID-19 school closures.
• Presented at NCTE and ILA conferences with District 4 teachers.