Teacher study groups

Streaming video - 2014

Teacher study groups are a wonderful tool for building a reflective, research-based community within schools. This video provides a window into the study group process as literacy specialist, Jennifer Allen, facilitates a group exploring ways to improve writing workshops. Showing excerpts from the fall and spring meetings of the group, the video details the evolution of thinking and discussion as practices are introduced and tried in the classroom, and as reflections on those successes and failures are shared among the members of the group. About the author: Jennifer Allen was born in Hornell, New York, and received her bachelor's degree from the University of Vermont, followed by a master's of education degree in literacy from th...e University of Maine. She served as a third-grade teacher for nine years, before becoming a literacy specialist and coach for Waterville Public Schools in Maine. She enjoys teaching because she loves being part of a continuous learning cycle. Her approach to professional development is rooted in equity and "is responsive to the needs of the students and teachers within the district." Her book, Becoming a literacy leader was born after a bit of "obsessing." "It was six months of professing and articulating my five-year journey as a literacy specialist/coach." more