Contents
LITERACY TODAY
Volume 33, Issue 3
November/December 2015
EDITORIAL STAFF
Communications Manager Lara Deloza
Managing Editor Colleen Patrice Clark
Intern Alexandra Baruch
ILA LEADERSHIP
Executive Director Marcie Craig Post
Associate Executive Director Stephen Sye
2015–2016 BOARD MEMBERS
Diane Barone, University of Nevada, Reno,
President; William H. Teale, University of Illinois
at Chicago, Vice President; Gwynne Ellen Ash,
Texas State University; Donald Bear, Iowa State
University; Julie Coiro, University of Rhode
Island; Catherine E. Collier, Chesapeake Public
Schools, Virginia; Lori DiGisi, Framingham
Public Schools, Massachusetts; Bernadette
Dwyer, St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra,
Dublin City University, Ireland; Laurie A.
Elish-Piper, Northern Illinois University; Rachel
A. Karchmer-Klein, University of Delaware;
Julianne Scullen, Anoka-Hennepin School
District, Minnesota
ADVERTISING
For information, contact Megan Ferguson at
800-336-7323 ext. 417 or advertising@reading.
org. Acceptance of advertising does not imply
endorsement.
ABOUT US
Literacy Today is the bimonthly membership
magazine of the International Literacy
Association, a nonprofi t that strives to
empower educators, inspire students, and
encourage teachers with the resources they
need to make literacy accessible for all.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
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7900, Online) is included in the cost of ILA
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© International Literacy Association
18
2
EDITOR’S NOTE
4
LIT BITS
6
OUR VIEW
LITERACY LEADERSHIP
8
The Importance of Finding a Mentor
10
The Benefi ts of a Literacy Leader in
Administration
12
Why Retired Educators Return to the Classroom
14
How to Build Bett er Relationships as an Instructional Coach
16
TWO TAKES
THE ENGAGING CLASSROOM
24
How In-the-Moment Teaching Decisions Matt er
26
Improving Students’ Speaking Skills in Response to Literature
28
Adding Variety With Your Text Types
30
Graphic Novels: If You’re Not on Board, You’re Missing Out
THE ILA NETWORK
34
New Read and Feed Pilot Program a Summertime Success
GLOBAL IMPACT
36
ILA’s Food for Education Project Wraps Up in Sierra Leone
40
EVENTS
42
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
The Path to
Leadership