Friday is the go-to favorite day of the week for many of us, but for the past few years they’ve been especially close to my heart. Friday mornings at WITW see our teachers and teaching fellows come together to develop our individual and collective practice. We focus on students, we challenge and support one another, and we all grow through sharing experiences, resources, and learning.
As professionals who support students in learning to read–the teacher in their classroom, the reading specialist in a resource room, the researcher in the academia bubble–we sometimes feel isolated. When challenges arise, we lean on our I-can-do-it-ness and charge ahead. This works… sometimes. But our weekly fellows meetings always remind me that learning in community enables more creative solutions, more sustainable practices, and a sense of support that fortifies us for the meaningful work we all do!
That’s why this year we are focused on building community. I’m especially excited for the first gathering of our Community of Practice, bringing together educators, specialists and researchers with a focus on strengths-based approaches to literacy instruction.
I’m also thrilled to bring back our popular, public, and free Happy Readers Storytime–an engaging way for children and families to experience the joy that comes from reading in community. Stay tuned for our spring calendar!
In community,
Meet Jordan, WITW CIT-Turned Teaching Assistant
When Jordan Davis was a sixth-grader, he became a Counselor in Training (CIT) for Readers and Writers in the Garden, now known as Words in the Wild Summer Camp. Working under the guidance of our seasoned camp staff, CITs like Jordan get a chance to lead young campers through word investigation, garden science, art, and other stimulating activities, all while learning effective leadership, teamwork, and group management skills.
Reflecting on his experience, Jordan says he most appreciates the opportunity to learn responsibility at a young age by engaging campers in a meaningful way, particularly when he assisted them with word exploration in the garden. Jordan notes he enjoyed building connections with campers throughout their learning journey.
During summer breaks, Jordan returned to WITW camp as a CIT and over time learned to manage even greater aspects of the campers’ experience. His hard work and dedication ultimately paid off; during the summer of 2021, he became a WITW teaching assistant! Jordan is currently finishing his junior year at San Diego State University as a finance major.
Rising 1st-3rd grade campers will get an academic boost while making friends and exploring the great outdoors. Guided by expert teachers, reading specialists and outdoor educators, campers grow their love of reading and writing through garden science, arts & crafts, games, music, and more as we explore the gardens of Lake Merritt and Fairyland.
Community of Practice:
A New Way to Connect Wednesday, March 1st from 2:30 - 3:30 PST
Leveraging the collective wisdom of specialists, researchers, and educators whose work centers strengths-based approaches to literacy instruction
Through this community, we hope to create space to address challenges we face in the field, strengthen our practice in community, inform directions for future research, and form a network of service providers for reference and referral to benefit the students and families we serve.
If you’d like to participate in this (or a future) meeting, please take a moment to fill out our interest form and we’ll send you a link to join!
To provide services at low or no cost, we rely on generous contributions from our community.
You participated in a program with Alexis Filippini or Words in the Wild in the San Francisco Bay Area, or connected with us online. Thanks for opting in!
