Transforming Teacher Knowledge Through Literacy Professional Learning

By Kristen Jones, Curriculum Director, Enid Public Schools, Oklahoma

Originally published on EDVIEW360

For our podcast, we talk with Kristen Jones, LETRS ^® Literacy Champion and curriculum director at Enid Public Schools in Enid, Oklahoma. This inspiring educator will share how her district used literacy professional learning to transform teacher knowledge and raise student achievement. Jones will discuss steps taken by educators at Enid Public Schools as they implemented LETRS professional learning districtwide. She’ll also address how the training increased teacher knowledge of the science of reading and transformed the district and community, leading to the district becoming one of the winners of the first Dr. Louisa Moats Award for Excellence Implementing the Science of Reading.

Jones will also address:

Why her district chose a program aligned with the science of reading
How the district encouraged teacher buy-in
Challenges faced in a districtwide implementation
Tips for administrators to roll out a new literacy professional learning program

“Enid Public Schools has strong leaders who ‘owned’ the challenge and are fully committed to the idea that almost all kids can learn to read. It has talented teachers who have dug into substantive learning about reading science, and who are working diligently to refine their teaching skills. I would like to express my sincere admiration for these educators and congratulate them on making a significant, transformational contribution toward the improvement of student literacy in their district.”

–Dr. Louisa Moats, LETRS author

Guest: Kristen Jones

Kristen Jones currently serves as the curriculum director for Enid Public Schools in Enid, Oklahoma. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Harding University and a master’s degree in Teaching, Learning, and Leadership with Reading Specialist certification from Oklahoma State University. She is currently pursuing an MBA in Educational Leadership from Oklahoma Christian University. Jones became a LETRS trainer in 2013 and has continued training teachers during the last eight years. Throughout her career, she’s had experience as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, site-level instructional coach, district-level instructional coach, and has served as curriculum director for the last two years. “I loved to read as a kid and I still read for pleasure when I have the time. That early love of reading set me up for a career helping others on their own reading journey,” Jones said. She looks forward to continuing her advocacy for the science of reading through her current public school position, her position as a board member for The Reading League Oklahoma, and by training teachers in LETRS.

A Cambium Learning® Group Company

Transforming Teacher Knowledge Through Literacy Professional Learning

Guest: Kristen Jones

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