LLCN Brief

LLCN Brief

By Kent ISDEducation
Download on the App Store

LLCN Brief episodes

  • A Conversation with Erin Brown and Susan L'Allier - the authors of No More Random Acts of Literacy Coaching

    In this episode, we (Mark Raffler and Sarah Shoemaker) chat with Erin Brown & Dr. Susan L’Allier about their new book:  No More Random Acts of Literacy Coaching. Here is a quick unpacking of the conversation: Mark & Sarah give a brief introduction of the GELN and MAISA collaborative that has gifted us the Essential Coaching Practices for Elementary Literacy and Coaching Modules and is the basis for the statewide literacy coaching grant.


    The conversation moves into hearing from the authors about their new book - No More Random Acts of Literacy Coaching (Not This But That Series published by Heinemann).

    Sarah introduces our guests for this podcast:  

    -Erin Brown:  Erin Brown  is the Early Literacy Professional Learning Grant Project Coordinator for the MAISA and ELA consultant at Muskegon ISD.  Her current role includes facilitating a professional learning network of literacy coaches across Michigan. 

    -Dr. Susan L’Allier:  Susan K. L’Allier received her doctoral degree in Reading, Language, and Learning Disabilities from Harvard University and is an Associate Professor Emeritus at Northern Illinois University. Dr. L’Allier has engaged in research to examine the relationship between literacy coaching and student achievement. Since 2016, she has worked with Michigan educators in the development of a state-wide system of literacy coaching.

    Erin Brown and Susan L’Allier give a brief overview of their new book - walking us through the content as well as structure of the text.  They talk about how to get started with coaching, a few key considerations to keep in mind, and how to focus coaching to have the greatest impact on student achievement.  Dr. L’Allier provides some insight into remote coaching during this time, and Erin Brown reminds us of what the heart of coaching is all about.

    We wrap up this episode by reminding listeners that your voice matters!  Please visit bit.ly/LLCNtopics to tell us what you want to future podcasts to focus on in relation to literacy.

    All resources in this LLCN Brief can be found at:  bit.ly/LLCNresources  Subscribe to the Literacy Leadership and Coaches Network podcasts here: anchor.fm/llcnbrief or your favorite podcast platform.

    Please note the audio used as an introduction and in transitions in this podcast is under the Creative Common License and attribution is given as follows:

    Medicine by WinnieTheMoog
    Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6256-medicine
    License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    31 min
  • Podcasts, Assessment Mindset, and Remote Learning

    In this episode, we (Mark Raffler and Sarah Shoemaker) chat about the changes to the Literacy Leaders and Coaches Network (LLCN) for the 2020-2021 school year. We detail what those changes look like, how to access this podcast throughout the year, and share some content around assessment mindset as well as remote learning.  Additionally, we ask that you provide us with the topics and questions you want to know more about as we proceed with the podcast format this school year.  Here is a quick unpacking of the conversation:

    • Mark talks about the concept of transitioning to an online format for Literacy Leaders and Coaches Network for the 2020-2021 school year.  The dates will remain as originally scheduled and can be found in the Kent ISD PD Hub.  The podcast will be titled LLCN Brief.  Mark shares:  “We have every intention of LLCN being back in person when it is safe to do so, yet for now here is our format.”


      • Sarah shares that the LLCN Brief podcast will be available for streaming in your favorite podcast formats as well as linked in an email to past LLCN registrants.  No registration is required.  We’re seeking input in the future podcast content.  Please submit your literacy related topics and/or questions via bit.ly/LLCNtopics


        • The conversation moves into focusing on two content topics for the first podcast:  Assessment Mindset and Remote Learning.


          • In thinking about Assessment Mindset, Sarah shares some of her thinking after a recent professional learning session with Nell Duke.  She references Literacy Essential #9 - Ongoing observation and assessment of children’s language and literacy development that informs their education - as well as talks about the importance of a positive mindset.


            • During this time of unconventional schooling, Remote Learning feels new, however, Mark describes how many of the pieces that make remote learning successful are familiar to educators across the county.  He identifies four key factors that build success in remote learning interactions:  Communication, Digital Access, Feedback, and Engagement.  Mark’s remote learning journey over the past seven months has led him along with a team of Kent ISD colleagues to create resources around remote learning including an infographic related to these four key components.


              • We wrap up this episode by reminding listeners that your voice matters!  Please visit bit.ly/LLCNtopics to tell us what you want to future podcasts to focus on in relation to literacy.


                • All resources in this LLCN Brief (and future 2020-2021 podcasts) can be found at:  bit.ly/LLCNresources  

                Make sure to subscribe to the Literacy Leadership and Coaches Network podcasts. 

                *Please note the audio used as an introduction and in transitions in this podcast is under the Creative Common License and attribution is given as follows:

                Medicine by WinnieTheMoog

                Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6256-medicine
                License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

                17 min

              About LLCN Brief

              From the publisher's feed

              Literacy leaders and coaches know that routinely developing knowledge and skills models for students that learning is important. Join hosts Mark Raffler (Literacy Consultant) and Sarah Shoemaker…