CRITICAL LITERACY: FROM COACH TO TEACHER TO SCHOLAR TO WORLD

Two Perspectives: Literacy Coach and classroom teacher share how critical literacy through growth mindset is changing one campus and the surrounding community.

COACH’S PERSPECTIVE:
As an educator in the millennium, I believe students need to be mass consumers of information and to be able to navigate and interrogate societal and cultural issues in order to critique the structures that serve as norms. As a Literacy Coach, I nudge teachers toward a greater understanding of growth mindset and the power this has on creating a rich critical literacy environment for our students, regardless of age.
Moving teachers toward a growth mindset has been a challenge and a blessing. A challenge in that a few teachers are still non-believers in that all students can learn. A blessing in that many teachers with whom I work (Mrs. Lowery) embrace this mindset and allow students to soar. Today we are preparing students for careers that haven’t even been created yet. We must differentiate and teach students to critically consume texts.

TEACHER’S PERSPECTIVE:
Hollywood portrays educators as the sage on the stage. However, through my work with Ms. Gray, I learned that sometimes stepping back allows your scholars to step forward. Developing a growth mindset in the classroom guides the scholars in taking ownership of their learning which, in turn, changes the dynamic of education from teacher-forced to scholar-led.

Critical Literacy demands that one uses reflection, analysis, and an innovative mindset. By instilling growth mindset in our scholars, we give permission for them to have a voice and choice in what they read and write, to consider the words put before them and to offer words to the world. Hollywood “educators” may sell tickets, but true educators through their scholars change the world.

AUTHOR: Pamela Gray

Pamela Gray, M.A. Reading and Administration – Ms. Gray has been in education forty-two years as a teacher, a district ELAR Coordinator, a university literacy grant specialist and a Literacy Coach. She has taught every grade PreK – 12 and college adult. Presentations include district professional learning sessions, literacy presentations for ASCD, TCTA, & NASD. Member of TSTA/NEA; TSRA/IRA; NAMLE; TCTE/NCTE; CREST

Email: pgray20@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-gray-a9516717/