education — Coffee Break - Coffee Break

Nancy is kind, patient, insightful, and incredibly knowledgeable about all things literacy. She cultivates an environment that supports her students academic and emotional well-being. These qualities are what make her an effective practitioner, researcher, and a highly influential literacy leader.

Since I’ve known her from the early 2000s, she has advocated for quality instruction and equity for all students. Nancy has helped in my personal growth and development as a literacy educator, and I was fortunate enough to have her co-chair my dissertation.

Coffee Break with... Dr. Tim Rasinski

Having worked with struggling readers for many years, I have often referred and recommended Dr. Tim Rasinski’s work on fluency. He’s been my go-to researcher for all things fluency, from his books, The Fluent Reader, Increasing Fluency with High Frequency Word Phrases Grades 1-5, and Fluency through Practice and Performance, to his countless articles, a few of which can be found here, here and here. Much of his work has attributed to my students finding success in reading.

Coffee Break...with Ralph Fletcher

Having devoted his life to writing, Ralph Fletcher has strived to improve the quality of the teaching of writing for young people. A prolific author and inspiring presenter, he’s written books both for teachers and aspiring young writers on the art of writing. His other works encompass poetry, picture books, chapter books, and young adult novels. I grabbed a coffee break with him and found him generous, funny, and his drive to pass on to children the love of writing was strongly evident.

literacy, ELA, education, Writing, InterviewLaura HancockMay 6, 2018writing, education, literacy, reading, Ralph Fletcher

Coffee Break with... Cornelius Minor

It’s not often you meet someone who is both charismatic and challenges your thinking. I had that pleasure when I interviewed Cornelius Minor, an activist for social justice and equity in education.

The first time I heard Cornelius Minor speak was in 2017 at the ILA conference in Orlando, FL. He was inspiring, forthright, energizing and engaging. I recently heard him speak at ILA West 2018 in San Diego, CA. It’s easy to tell he’s well read, loves working with kids and is supporting teachers. I believe Cornelius Minor should be on every educators bucket list of speakers, and you will have your chance to hear him at ILA Austin in July.

Coffee Break with... Dr. Diane Lapp

Dr. Diane Lapp, Distinguished Professor of Education in the Department of Teacher Education at San Diego State University, has been an incredible mentor of mine for over 16 years. She has encouraged and supported my journey, stretched my thinking and consistently provided the best advice. Her intellect, support and encouragement are traits of great role models.

I had the pleasure to spend time with Diane at ILA West, and fire a few questions. She was as engaging as ever.

Let’s hear some of her thoughts...

Interview, education, reading, ELALaura HancockApril 3, 2018literacy, reading, ELA, English Language Arts, D, education, adviceComment