St. Margaret’s continues to refine its Lower School reading and writing curriculum, bringing an expert consultant to campus last week to work with faculty in kindergarten, grade 1 and grade 2.

Ryan Candelario, an expert in the Columbia University Teachers College Reading & Writing Project curriculum, spent three activity-filled days at St. Margaret’s. He ran demo lessons as faculty observed, offered feedback for teachers as they worked with students, and led engaging sessions where faculty could ask questions and discuss the curriculum in-depth.  

St. Margaret’s has implemented Columbia’s leading reading and writing curriculum over the last three years. Professional development time since its implementation has been dedicated to study, understand and implement the methodology in order for faculty to develop an expertise in the curriculum more quickly. Last week’s visit by Mr. Candelario was an important opportunity for further progress.

“Everyone in the Lower School has invested heavily in this curriculum,” Lower School principal Jennifer Blount said. “These comprehensive and continual professional development opportunities allow us to continue to hone our excellence in teaching these subjects.”

Mr. Candelario worked individually with each grade over the three days, which consisted of a 75-minute meeting with each teacher to discuss the curriculum, a demo lesson led by Mr. Candelario that teachers observed, and another 60-minute meeting to go over key points in Mr. Candelario’s demonstration. For the second session, Mr. Candelario observed teacher lessons and offered feedback.

Mr. Candelario will return to St. Margaret’s in December to work with grades 3-5.

The Columbia University Teachers College Reading & Writing Project is a think tank of educators that strives to help young people become avid and skilled readers and writers. The developers, like Mr. Candelario, have developed state-of-the-art tools and methods for teaching the subjects, backed by extensive research. Since implementing the curriculum, St. Margaret’s teachers have attended conferences around California and a few have attended Columbia’s weeklong summer institute in New York to further develop the teaching skills and pass those skills on to fellow faculty.

St. Margaret’s increased its budget for professional development 35 percent for the 2017-2018 school year to expand ongoing growth and learning opportunities, like this one, for the expertise of educators.