Professional Development Enhances Approaches to Reading

Teachers of grades k-2 in all three of the Rye City School District’s elementary schools have been working with Sharon Taberski, a leader in professional development with a specific focus on early reading instruction. Mrs. Taberski first met with the Rye teachers on September 6, on the first Superintendent’s Conference Day of the current school year. She recently visited the District again in November and will continue working with staff throughout the school year.

Mrs. Taberski’s sessions have focused on guided reading and the reading workshop approach to teaching in small group settings. This strategy, which is part of the District’s broader Balanced Literacy approach, supports the Common Core and the overarching goal to promote fluency and independence in reading. In addition to meeting with and coaching teachers, Mrs. Taberski has modeled lessons in the classrooms, giving teachers the opportunities to observe her techniques in action, working effectively with students.

In addition to her role as a presenter with a 28-year-long teaching background, Mrs. Taberski has authored several books related to reading instruction. In her book, Comprehension from the Ground Up, she writes about best practices in the younger grades. Her DVD set, It’s ALL About Comprehension, Teaching K-3 Readers from the Ground Up, she walks educators through ways to enhance comprehension.

 The workshops with Mrs. Taberski received an overwhelmingly positive response from teachers. They expressed, through written feedback, their enthusiasm for her training and their plans to utilize the meaningful approaches that were covered.