ReadingGladly provides in-depth training and collaborative mentorship for

• new and experienced teachers (pre-K through post-secondary) who want their students not only to comprehend but also to critically analyze complex texts, from picture books to Shakespeare to foundational American documents, using standards-aligned, deep reading practices

• families and caregivers who want to read joyfully, curiously, and widely with their children, to foster self-awareness and empathy in the reading process, and who seek guidance on what to read and how and why

• lifelong learners (students, retirees, book group members, etc.) who want to explore why specific books were written, how books convey multiple meanings to different readers, and how books have been interpreted in past eras and continue to impact our identities and communities today

• participants in public humanities programming (at libraries, museums, community centers, senior centers, theaters, etc.) who want to learn ways of “decoding” books’ verbal and visual texts

Sessions are designed to meet the needs of new and experienced teachers (pre-K through post-secondary), parents and caregivers, librarians, students, and all curious readers, regardless of age or skill level, who seek continuing education for personal enrichment, professional development, or social connection.

SERVICES OFFERED (in person or remote, as available)

“Remember/ First to possess his books . . . “ (Caliban, from Shakespeare’s The Tempest)

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Selection of Readings

I specialize in Shakespeare, Milton, and poetry; children’s literature and picture books; and ELA pedagogy (drawing on classic and contemporary fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama). I collaborate with clients on reading selections, accommodating requests for specific texts, authors, genres, historical periods, and thematic emphases, whenever possible.

Individualized Professional Mentorship

(For Educators, Pre-K to Post-Secondary)

• Pedagogical problem-solving; strategies for engagement, intellectual challenge, and assessment; syllabus design and assignment scaffolding

• Application of Common Core State Standards

• Customized training (as needed/desired) in comprehension and textual analysis (grammar, syntax, vocabulary; literary style; form and narrative structure; genre conventions; historical contextualization; personal and cultural applications, etc.)

Individualized Coaching in Deep Reading

(For Readers Age 8 and Older)

• Reader-response based discussion; focus on text’s personal, literary, and cultural significance

• Guided reading questions for engagement, analysis, and reflection provided prior to session (see note above on selection of readings)

• Customized training (as needed/desired) in comprehension and textual analysis (grammar, syntax, vocabulary; literary style; form and narrative structure; genre conventions; historical contextualization; personal and cultural applications, etc.)

English Language Arts Collaborative Training (For 2-4 Educators, Pre-K to Post-Secondary; Group Rate Available)

• Pedagogical problem-solving; strategies for engagement, intellectual challenge, and assessment; syllabus design and assignment scaffolding

• Application of Common Core State Standards

• Customized training (as needed/desired) in comprehension and textual analysis (grammar, syntax, vocabulary; literary style; form and narrative structure; genre conventions; historical contextualization; personal and cultural applications, etc.)

Reading Group Facilitation (For 2-4 Readers, Age 8 and Older; Group Rate Available)

• Reader-response based discussion; focus on text’s personal, literary, and cultural significance

• Questions for engagement, analysis, and reflection provided prior to session (see note above on selection of readings)

• Customized training (as needed/desired) in comprehension and textual analysis (grammar, syntax, vocabulary; literary style; form and narrative structure; genre conventions; historical contextualization; personal and cultural applications, etc.)

Professional Development Workshops (For 5-15 Educators, Pre-K to Post-Secondary.)

• Content: Topics to be developed in consultation with clients.  For a list of currently available workshops, any of which can be customized, click here.  [Embed link to flyer, per Lora’s email [forwarded to Ron?]

• Structure: Participants complete a pre-session questionnaire re. their previous experience, current questions and challenges, and individual learning goals. Following an overview of key concepts, terms, and range of learning goals, participants engage collaboratively and individually in guided practice exercises, followed by whole group discussion, Q and A, synthesis, and written reflections on individual learning and implementation goals.

Professional Development Packages (For School Communities; Available Upon Request)

• multiple professional development workshops for faculty

• presentations or workshops for families and/or students (Family Reading and Literacy programming can supplement on-campus book fairs)

• implementation coaching for individuals and/or cohorts

Public Humanities Presentations (For Libraries, Museums, and Community Centers)

Topics to be developed in consultation with clients.  For a list of currently available workshops, any of which can be customized, click here.  [Embed link to flyer]

Additional topics include the following:

• “Reading Picture Book Art”

• “How to Prepare Toddlers for College? One Book at a Time”

• “Shakespeare’s Plays and American Politics”

Please note:

I provide training in the comprehension and critical analysis of texts and in ELA teaching strategies. I am not a certified reading specialist, and therefore I cannot conduct or provide formal reading assessments or diagnose reading challenges (such as dyslexia or processing disorders) for struggling readers.