This newsletter has been created by Wayne RESA literacy consultants for literacy educators. In each issue, you will find Literacy Learning Network updates and information, statewide initiative updates, book synopses, teaching and coaching strategies, and upcoming professional learning opportunities. We look forward to partnering with you as we engage in best practices in literacy instruction for all students.
Literacy Learning Network Updates
2025 Summer Learning Blitz
Developed and nurtured by Michelle Wagner, Director of Educational Services, the annual Summer Blitz is truly a collaborative effort. In its sixth year, the Summer Blitz has continued to include cross-disciplinary sessions that cater to educators’ diverse roles, and each one-hour professional learning session is free and open to all. This year, we are also once again offering sessions that are entirely asynchronous to accommodate the busy lives of our Wayne County educators, especially during the summer months. Steiner et al. (2021) assert that “helping teachers improve their instructional practice through high-quality professional learning opportunities is a key strategy for improving student academic and social and emotional outcomes” (p. iii). By exploring effective practices and strategies that enhance our skills, we renew our commitment to our students. Register for one or more sessions! As a reminder, sessions will be recorded, and registered participants will have access to both recordings and resources following each session.
Looking to Learn More about Dyslexia? Start Here.
With the recent passage of Public Act 146—Michigan’s Dyslexia Law—educators and families alike are seeking trusted guidance on how to better understand dyslexia and support students who experience word-level reading challenges.
One of the most valuable tools now available is the Michigan Dyslexia Handbook: A Guide to Accelerating Learner Outcomes in Literacy. This comprehensive resource is designed to help educators, school leaders, and support staff build a shared understanding of dyslexia and implement effective, research-based practices that support all readers.
Inside, you’ll find clear explanations of key concepts such as reading science, the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), and the use of assessments to guide instruction and intervention. The handbook also offers practical strategies, defines essential terms, and points readers toward additional tools and professional learning opportunities.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore dyslexia or looking to strengthen your current approach, this handbook is a must-read.
Coaching Connections
Summer Reflection ⛱️
In “Use Summertime Reflection to Recharge Your Practice,” a blog post on Learning Forward, author Kathy Perret delivers a powerful call to action for instructional coaches and school leaders: embrace the power of reflection—not just for teachers, but for yourselves! While educators dedicate time to helping others grow, true professional growth happens when they step back and examine their own practices. With summer providing a rare opportunity to recharge, it’s the perfect time to reflect, refocus, and set the stage for an even more impactful year ahead.
Perret introduces the REFLECT framework as a dynamic way to dive into key areas: Relationships, Effectiveness, Focus, Learning, Equity, Culture, and Targets. By thoughtfully considering successes, challenges, and future goals, coaches can fine-tune their strategies and elevate their impact. But the reflection doesn’t stop there! The ACT method (Actions, Changes, and Things to do) ensures continuous growth throughout the year, helping coaches stay intentional and results-driven.
By making reflection a habit, instructional coaches can unlock new levels of effectiveness, inspire those around them, and create lasting change in their schools. The message is clear: take the time to reflect, set bold goals, and step into the next school year ready to make an even greater difference! If you would like to read more, you can find the post here.
Statewide Updates
MDE will open the 2026-27 Michigan Teacher of the Year nomination window on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. This annual program recognizes outstanding teachers in our state. Each year, 10 Regional Teachers of the Year are selected through a competitive application process, with one of the Regional Teachers of the Year named Michigan Teacher of the Year. Parents and/or guardians are invited to nominate a teacher. To be eligible, a nominee must have a valid Michigan teaching certificate, at least five years of teaching experience in Michigan, and be in good standing with their school or district. Please make nominations using the online form, which is available until Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST). We recognize that some districts and intermediate school districts have an established process for awarding local teachers of the year. District representatives are welcome to nominate their district-level teachers of the year by directly emailing MTOY@Michigan.gov. To learn more about the Michigan Teacher of the Year program and MDE’s other educator recognition programs, visit the program webpage. Please contact MTOY@Michigan.gov with questions regarding the program or nomination process.
If you missed MDE’s Diversity in Literacy series, webinar recordings of each session can be accessed on this webpage.
The Michigan Reading Association is now accepting proposals for the 70th Annual Conference: Engaging Minds and Literacy for All – Every Learner, Every Voice, Every Story. The Call for Proposals is open until July 1. Consider sharing your time and talents with literacy educators throughout the state.
MDE is now offering Lexia LETRS Volume 2 (Units 5-8)! This course is for anyone who has completed Volume 1 (Units 1-4) independently or with another entity and does not have the opportunity to continue with Volume 2. Learn more and sign up at https://www.lexialearning.com/michigan-letrs. Note: Any educator currently enrolled in a cohort under the state aid grant is signed up for the entire course (volumes 1 and 2) and should not complete this form.
Registration for LETRS Cohort 11 is open for elementary educators, early childhood educators, and administrators. Training for Cohort 11 will start in November 2025. For more information, including registration links, please visit the Michigan LETRS website.
The Michigan Learning Channel continues to develop a robust set of resources for educators and families. See their April newsletter for details, including weekly lessons for summer learning.
The Building a Better Assessment Future conference will be held on August 5-6, 2025, at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing. This conference aims to inspire and empower educational leaders to engage in and adopt assessment-literate practices. Participants will explore ways to lead innovative changes by advancing student-centered assessment and grading approaches while also leveraging improvement science to sustain our efforts as we blaze a trail to work in service of all students.
Books and Strategies
Book Talk
Igniting Passion in Readers of All Ages
Chooch Helped
Andrea L. Rogers, illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz
Winner of the 2025 Caldecott Medal, Chooch Helped is a touching and beautifully illustrated picture book that captures the joys and frustrations of sibling relationships. Through the eyes of Sissy, a Cherokee girl struggling to accept her energetic younger brother Chooch, readers will experience the ups and downs of learning to share, grow, and embrace family traditions.
Popcorn
Rob Harrell
Seventh grader Andrew Yeager tries hard to manage his anxiety and OCD, but school picture day throws his life into chaos. Determined to get a perfect school picture taken for his mom, Andrew runs into obstacle after obstacle, forcing him to quell his mounting stress using every resource he can. Harrell cleverly inserts doodles, notes, and other illustrations, often providing a humorous spin on Andrew’s situtation. Readers will find themselves rooting for Andrew as he navigates a colossally bad day.
A Sky of Paper Stars
Susie Yi
This compelling graphic novel illustrates the heartwarming story of Yuna, a middle schooler who just wants to fit in. As she works to reconcile the disconnect between her Korean heritage and the American way of life, she remembers her grandmother’s saying, “If you fold 1,000 paper stars, you will be granted one wish.” As she completes the final star, her family is confronted with news that sends them back to Korea for a funeral. Rich illustrations throughout the novel reveal the complexity of Yuna’s multigenerational family, and as she commences folding another set of paper stars, Yuna begins to learn important lessons about love, family, identity, and belonging.
And Don’t Look Back
Rebecca Barrow
Critically acclaimed author Rebecca Barrow has crafted a scintillating tale of family secrets, including the mysterious and unexplained disappearance of a woman. The story begins with protagonist Harlow Ford and her mother Cora, always on the run, continually moving to different locations and using new names. Their shifting identities, Cora insists, will protect them, but from what? This question haunts Harlow until tragedy strikes late one night. When a secret safe deposit box unlocks more questions than answers, Harlow sets off to confront her mother’s past and to finally free herself from the demons that have driven them across the country.
How to Become a Better Writing Teacher
Carl Anderson and Matt Glover
How to Become a Better Writing Teacher by Carl Anderson and Matt Glover is a practical, hands-on guide designed to support educators in enhancing their writing instruction. The authors present 50 high-impact moves that teachers can implement immediately to strengthen key areas of their practice. These include getting to know students as individuals and assessing them as writers, increasing student engagement, making thoughtful curriculum decisions, individualizing instruction, and connecting students with mentor authors and texts.
The book features more than 70 classroom videos where Carl and Matt model effective strategies with students across a variety of grade levels. It also includes a comprehensive set of online resources and downloadable tools that support immediate classroom implementation.
We invite you to join us for a book study in Winter 2026 to explore this powerful resource and engage in rich professional learning with fellow educators. As a special opportunity, Carl Anderson will be joining us in April 2026 for an in-person event to extend and deepen our learning. Register today!
Know Better, Do Better: Comprehension – Fueling the Reading Brain with Knowledge, Vocabulary, and Rich Language
David and Meredith Liben
In their latest book, Know Better, Do Better: Comprehension—Fueling the Reading Brain With Knowledge, Vocabulary, and Rich Language, David and Meredith Liben extend their work beyond foundational reading skills to explore the cognitive processes involved in understanding complex texts. Drawing on current research, they offer clear, practical insights into what students need in order to read with depth, enjoyment, and purpose.
The book focuses on three essential components of comprehension: vocabulary development, knowledge building, and the use of rich language structures. With a balance of theory and practice, the Libens share innovative instructional strategies and user-friendly tools that educators can begin using right away to strengthen students’ comprehension.
We invite you to join us for a book study and/or professional learning opportunity in Fall 2025, where we will explore the ideas and practices presented in this timely resource. Registration is open!
Provocative Podcasts
Got a pile of books on your nightstand? In Stephanie Affinito’s March 11 podcast, “The Why & How of Reading Books You Already Own,” she discusses the need to tackle the books in your house before rushing to the bookstore to acquire more. Summer is the perfect time to catch up on reading, and this podcast shows you how to have fun while doing so!
Professional Learning
| Upcoming Events at Wayne RESA |
Our interactive 2025-2026 Wayne RESA Course Catalog will be available soon, including links to course offerings, their descriptions, and online registration in Learning Stream. In the meantime, search for course offerings using the search criteria in Learning Stream. Our professional learning events are offered in face-to-face, hybrid, and virtual formats. If the format for a session or series is unclear, please contact any member of the Literacy Team for details. 🌻Be sure to check out our summer professional learning opportunities!🌻 |
Tools to Make Your Teaching Life Easier
Missing Jamboard? Padlet Sandbox might be just what you are looking for! This collaborative screen interfaces easily with Google Classroom and includes all of the Jamboard tools as well as a few of your Padlet favorites. If you want to learn more about Padlet, join us for our Summer Blitz session: Engaging Students with Padlet.
Wayne RESA Literacy Team
Michelle Wagner, Director of Educational Services
Mari Treece, Executive Director of Educational Services
If this newsletter has been forwarded to you, and you’d like to subscribe to it, please contact Laura Gabrion.
33500 Van Born Road • Wayne, MI 48184 • 734.334.1300 • 734.334.1620 fax • www.resa.net
Board of Education
James S. Beri • Mary E. Blackmon • Danielle Funderburg • Lynda S. Jackson • James Petrie
Daveda Colbert, Ph.D., Superintendent
June 2025 “Use Your Megaphone”: Inspiring Excellence in Literacy Instruction Read More »