ELA (K-12)
Early Reading Matters, Foundational Literacy Matters and Literacy Matters are evidence-based professional learning programs that develop teachers’ expertise in improving their students’ literacy.
Our Services and Programs
Early Reading Matters
- A comprehensive 3-year program for K-2 literacy teachers to support improvements in pedagogy, curriculum, assessment, data analysis, and professional collaboration, based on the unique context and needs of the school
- 25 days onsite coaching
- Observation and feedback of individual teachers.
- Year-long assessment protocols for grade teams
- Self-paced online learning modules via the Learning Management System
- All materials and supports aligned to reading science, high-quality curricula, and assessment systems.
Foundational Literacy Matters
- A 12-week tier 2 program to move those K and 1st graders who are most in need of support from pre-readers to readers
- 12 days of onsite or virtual coaching. 1 live workshop for teachers
- Access to approximately 2 days of asynchronous and synchronous learning through our Learning Management System
- Demonstration, co-planning, and coaching support focused on small group, guided literacy
- Data analysis and support structures
- Foundational Literacy Matters Reading Behaviors Tool
- All materials and supports aligned to reading science, high-quality curricula, and assessment systems.
- Our approach provides critical support for educators in high-impact pedagogical practices building key foundational skills (e.g., phonics, phonemic and phonological awareness, orthographic mapping) within the context of the curricula and curricular tools teachers use.
Literacy Matters
- 10 or more professional development days with a highly qualified literacy coach focused on grades 3-12. These sessions are customized to meet the needs of your school or district.
- Needs assessment with an aligned action plan.
- Impact report with student and teacher artifacts and recommended next steps.
”The teachers are eager to work with Mr. LaConte and his leadership, and expertise are greatly appreciated.”
Sergio Caceres
Principal, X215
Early Childhood Outcomes
Improving Reading Skills
During the course of the 2020-22 school years, Teaching Matters implemented Jumpstart in 40 schools throughout Districts 9, 10, and 28 in NYC. Hundreds of kindergartners and 1st graders who were non-readers in February became readers in April after receiving our Jumpstart to Early Reading intervention – that’s nearly 83% of children who participated!
Middle School Outcomes
Delivering Strong Literacy Gains
Teachers who participated in Literacy Matters saw a 12% increase on students on grade level between the fall and spring according to iReady results (n=1,254 non-chronically absent students from 16 schools).
Meet Our Coaches
Ivie Okundaye (Omede)
Senior Educational Consultant
Melissa Bacchus
Educational Consultant
Kathryn (Kate) Baxter
Senior Educational Consultant
Vanceto Blyden
Senior Educational Consultant
Christopher Buonami
Senior Educational Consultant
Emily Carroll-Chocolaad
Senior Educational Consultant
Violet Davenport
Senior Educational Consultant
Maulana Drew
Senior Educational Consultant
Nathalie Elivert
Senior Educational Consultant
Leigh Ann Fantoni
Senior Educational Consultant
Alexandra (Ali) Foglia
Senior Educational Consultant
Larissa Goldberg
Senior Educational Consultant
Deborah- Ann Gordon
Senior Educational Consultant
Julieanne Green
Senior Educational Consultant
Helen Huang
Senior Educational Consultant
Jane Marie Hutcheson
Senior Educational Consultant
Rebecca Hyman
Senior Educational Consultant
Lauren Kalb
Senior Educational Consultant
Elizabeth Key
Senior Educational Consultant
William LaConte
Educational Consultant
Alyssa Landy
Senior Educational Consultant
Hannah Luna
Senior Educational Consultant
Ava Marron
Senior Educational Consultant
Bennison Ntsakey
Senior Educational Consultant
Deanna Perez
Senior Educational Consultant
Maggie Phenicie
Senior Educational Consultant
Samantha Pugh
Senior Educational Consultant
Keshia Redhead
Senior Educational Consultant
Jessica Rodrigues
Senior Educational Consultant
Tracey Sauray
Senior Educational Consultant
Anna Schidlovsky
Senior Educational Consultant
Arielle Snagg
Senior Educational Consultant
Ana Vargas
Educational Consultant
Evelyn Wenger
Senior Educational Consultant
Tonya White
Senior Educational Consultant
Tia Whiteman
Senior Educational Consultant
Kathryn Wilcox
Senior Educational Consultant
Dwight Williams
Senior Educational Consultant
Ella Williams
Senior Educational Consultant
Nicole Ziccardi
Senior Educational Consultant
