School district leaders from around the region participated in the annual HFM BOCES Leadership Retreat July 23 learning from each other and taking part in programming to help them better support their teachers.
This year, over 70 district leaders came together to hear more about the Science of Reading, a scientifically-based body of research about reading and issues related to reading and writing.
Katie Sojewicz presents on the Science of Reading.
The retreat featured keynote speaker Katie Sojewicz, a Professional Development Director at The Reading League, an organization whose mission is to advance the awareness, understanding, and use of evidence-aligned reading instruction. Sojewicz provided an in-depth look at The Science of Reading, focusing on the significance of word and language comprehension; the importance of proper implementation and assessment; and reminded administrators that they don’t need elaborate or expensive products to implement these ways of teaching.
“It is not products that teach children, it’s people that teach children,” said Sojewicz.
Some districts in the area have already applied the Science of Reading processes in their schools and used this time to strengthen their knowledge and understanding.
“We’ve been working with The Reading League for about four years now. Our teachers saw the need and were strong advocates of the initiative,” said OESJ Elementary Principal Kyle O’Brien. “Supportive programming like this is a great refresher course and allows us as administrators to make sure our teachers are properly trained and are following the process.”
The day included a district self-reflection, facilitated by the HFM BOCES Instructional Services team. Individual assessment of the district’s current practices was followed by a team discussion where they were asked to consider current methods and identify the district’s areas of success and those in need of improvement.
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- Districts take time to self-reflect on their practices.
“This is a great time for our team to come together and make sure we are all speaking the same language,” said Northville Superintendent Sarah Chauncey. “It creates consistency and reinforces the work we are already doing.”
Component school districts in attendance:
Greater Amsterdam School District
Broadalbin-Perth Central School District
Canajoharie Central School District
Edinburg Common School District
Fonda-Fultonville Central School District
Gloversville Enlarged School District
Greater Johnstown School District
Lake Pleasant Central School District
Mayfield Central School District
Northville Central School District
Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville Central School District
Piseco Common School District
Wells Central School District
Wheelerville Union Free School District
