About 1,000 new and veteran teachers attended HISD’s ongoing teacher professional development recently, which included a heavy dose of Literacy By 3 training.

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The sessions were designed to help teachers learn effective methods and classroom management techniques that lead to students reading on level by the third grade.

Charity Smith, a manager for elementary literacy training development, said the training ultimately benefits students by creating teachers who can implement hands-on learning in the classroom and provide critical-thinking exercises, all of which help build Global Graduates.

“By the end of the school year, we would love for students to be effective decision-makers, effective communicators, and critical thinkers by implementing everything they have learned through the teachers who are here this week,” Smith said.

Veteran teachers led discussions and practice involving techniques to help improve students’ literacy, and Casie Williams, a first-year teacher at Roosevelt Elementary, is eager to utilize what she’s learned during the coming school year.

“It’s been overwhelming in a very good, very positive way,” said Williams, who is transitioning into a full-time role after serving as an associate teacher for several years. “I’m learning more than I ever thought I would. It’s been a blessing to be here, and I would recommend it to anybody.”

Edith Arenas, a teacher at J.P. Henderson Elementary, said she has gained the resources to act as a “facilitator” to help develop a love a reading in her students.

“I want students to read not just for knowledge but for pleasure,” she said.

HISD’s Literacy By 3 program is a districtwide program that aims to have all students reading on grade level by the third grade. To learn more, click here.