Read by Example Matt Renwick

As a literacy leader, writing is a critical skill.
* We need to frequently communicate our organization’s beliefs and values.
* We avoid misunderstandings when what we share and post is clear.
* If we expect our students and teachers to be writers…
So where does one start?
Consider employing ChatGPT as your writing assistant.
In this video, you will see how this large language model (LLM) can:
* Give you general writing ideas as a starting point.
* Provide feedback on a first draft you’ve developed.
* Generate templates from favorite articles to use as models for your own writing.
This brief demonstration will show you how to be more intentional with ChatGPT: using frames, following up on initial responses, and asking for options instead of specific answers.
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In this podcast, we delve into the world of writing instruction with Carl Anderson, co-author with Matt Glover of How to Become a Better Writing Teacher.
Carl is the author of several acclaimed books including A Teacher's Guide to Writing Conferences and A Teacher's Guide to Mentor Texts K-5. Carl shares insights from his extensive experience working with schools and districts, discussing the importance of writing instruction and providing practical strategies for educators at all levels.
Key takeaways from the conversation include:
* The journey of becoming a better writing teacher: Carl and his co-author Matt Glover emphasize that the work of teaching writing is ongoing and dynamic. Their book provides actionable steps and personalized guidance for teachers at different stages of their careers, from novices to seasoned veterans.
* Collaboration and professional development: Carl and Matt's collaboration, born out of webinars during the pandemic, highlights the power of professional learning communities and ongoing support in refining writing instruction practices.
* Advocating for writing: Amidst standardized testing and shifting curricular priorities, Carl emphasizes the importance of advocating for dedicated time and resources for writing instruction. He encourages educators to engage in conversations with administrators and colleagues to ensure that writing receives the attention it deserves in schools.
With practical insights, personal anecdotes, and a commitment to empowering educators, this conversation and Carl’s and Matt’s book are a valuable resource for anyone passionate about nurturing young writers.
Enjoyed this discussion? Share it with a colleague and continue the conversation.



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Where does literacy leadership intersect with the quest for educational justice? In this thought-provoking conversation, I am joined by Michele Caracappa (Reading to Lead) and Debra Crouch (Made for Learning) as we delve into this vital topic.
Michele, with her extensive background in education and leadership from New York City, shares insights from her journey of supporting literacy and educational justice. The conversation covers a range of subjects:
* The impact of policies on literacy instruction
* The importance of teacher empowerment
* Rethinking literacy through a justice-oriented lens
Whether you're an educator, leader, or simply passionate about educational equity, this episode offers valuable perspectives on creating conditions that foster success for all students. Dive into the discussion and discover actionable strategies to bridge the gap between literacy leadership and educational justice. Don't miss out on enriching your understanding and toolkit for change. Listen now and be part of the conversation towards a more equitable educational landscape.
Subscribe for more episodes on transforming education through leadership and literacy.
Beginning next month, we are reading How to Become a Better Writing Teacher by Carl Anderson and Matt Glover.
Share this episode with your network to spread the word about the importance of literacy leadership.
Continue the conversation here in the comments (full subscribers), or wait until the podcast version is posted.


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As the new year begins, Debra Crouch, Vivian Chen and I avoided the usual focus on resolutions in this professional conversation.
Instead, we emphasized good intentions in our professional practice.
Our discussion begins with a sharing of our current to-read lists, a mix of fiction and non-fiction books relevant to education, personal development, and broader societal issues.
We then delved into the concept of transforming lessons into recipes, exploring the nuances of teaching methods, the importance of adaptability in education, and the potential of professional development.
The conversation concludes with reflections on how these insights can be applied in our immediate professional contexts in ways that support teaching and learning.
Key Insights and Quotes:
Debra Crouch
* Insight: Emphasizes the balance between planning and responsiveness in teaching.
* Quote: "You could never plan some of those moments that were happening based on what kids were saying."
Vivian Chen:
* Insight: Points out the significance of collaborative learning and observing the impact of teaching practices.
* Quote: "I need somebody to be there to look for the kid's twinkle in their eyes, to see what it was (that led to student engagement and learning)."
Matt Renwick:
* Insight: Highlights the critical role of experience and reflection in developing teaching expertise.
* Quote: "When you cook for 20 years, you just develop a ‘with-it-ness’, a ‘I know I can substitute this for that.’"
Listeners will walk away with a greater understanding for the conditions that go into thoughtful and intentional education practices, as well as the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in our field.
Full subscribers can participate in these professional conversations via Zoom, as well as watch the video recordings. Join us!



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On Monday, December 19, Debra Crouch and I spoke with Isobel Stevenson.
Isobel is the author of The Coaching Letter, a newsletter that is about “organizational culture and intelligent failure”. She is also the author of multiple books, including Making Coaching Matter: Leading Continuous Improvement in Schools, with Sarah Woulfin and Kerry Lord (Teachers College Press, 2023).
In our conversation we explored a number of questions around continuous school improvement, including:
* You promote “intelligent failure” as an organizational disposition, where teachers and leaders are intentionally making mistakes. This feels counter to most school cultures. What conditions need to exist for this to be a reality?
* Is a “culture of coaching” the answer to the problem of the status quo? If not, what else?
* If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about schools as they currently are, what would it be?
Listeners will walk away with a better appreciation for the complexities of school improvement, along with clear action steps for engaging in this work.
Take care,
Matt
What we are reading
* Isobel listed several favorite professional titles, including The Right Kind of Wrong by Amy Edmondson, Being Wrong by Kathryn Schultz, The Voltage Effect by John List, and Deep Survival by Laurence Gonzales.
* Debra enjoyed The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. She shared the following quote from this novel: “Fiction is the great lie that tells the truth about how the world lives.”
* Matt is planning to start The Reformatory by Tananarive Due soon, a Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Best Horror (2023).
* Isobel just posted her December edition of her newsletter, in which she shares more about the instructional design practice of “co-developing recipes—which are NOT the same as checklists or scripts”.
* For more information on continuous school improvement, check out my conversation with Isobel’s co-author Sarah Woulfin along with Rachael Gabriel.
Take care,
Matt
P.S. No post/newsletter next week - 🎁enjoy the holiday break!🎄
P.P.S. In addition to live professional conversations with educational experts like Isobel, full subscribers also have access to the video archive of the Zoom chat plus the discussion guide. See below. You can use these resources to support professional learning in your context.
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readbyexample.substack.com

Ever since the advent of the Internet, professional development for educators has become more prominent online.
Teachers and school leaders found a home in Twitter. It’s been a source of knowledge and a facilitator of long-lasting connections, even friendships. How can educators use this platform today for professional learning, especially with its current challenges?
In my conversation with Dr. Mary Howard, author of RtI From All Sides and Good to Great Teaching (affiliate links), we talk about this social media platform, including:
* The upcoming #g2great discussion on Twitter around Regie Routman’s new book The Heart-Centered Teacher (affiliate link),
* How to engage in a Twitter chat, and
* What the future may hold for online professional learning.
Listeners will walk away with a greater appreciation for continuous improvement as literacy leaders.
Related #G2Great Resources
* Our #G2Great Wakelet Collections (Regie’s will be posted after the chat)
* 10-20-22 Blast From the Past: Literacy Essentials (Blog post)
* 1/11/18 Literacy Essentials (Blog post)
Looking for more learning?
Check out the video archive of my conversation with Mary.
You will find a brief guide for how to engage in a Twitter chat. In addition, I provided an original article on how to apply a modern framework for digital learning in classrooms and school for full subscribers. Sign up today!


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readbyexample.substack.com