Leading With Heart is a leading literacy awareness company that has been working with educators around the globe for the past six years. The name says it all—to lead literacy with heart. What does that mean exactly? LWH leads with two guiding principles: building confidence as well as craft in educators and students. In order to build confidence there are ten important values to consider: Caring, collaboration, contribution, curiosity, connectedness, collectiveness, courageousness, celebration, clarity and charitableness. The craft is up to you: Reading and Writing Workshop, Read Aloud, Small Group Instruction, Conferring, Marzano’s Classroom Management Support, Literacy Coaching in Powerful Permanent Ways, Brene’ Brown’s work Dare to Lead. For LWH, that everyone feels supported in a way that helps them to be seen, heard and to be their best self—building confidence as well as craft to go out into the world and make it better. Whether you are a K-8 classroom teacher, a literacy coach, or a principal you are in education to make the world better. LWH wants you to feel and know that, and extend it to your kids. LWH’s approach is to make you feel safe, secure, loved first, so that you are ready to learn the deep literacy work necessary to create change (the C change).
Christy Curran CEO and founder of LWH decided to start the company because she loves working with teachers. She has a deep understanding of the teaching of literacy but not to raise test scores rather to raise strong, smart, voices. She connects deeply with teachers. They trust her and the work she brings them. She has been a passionate literacy leader in education for 25 years. Her experience and knowledge in the teaching of reading, writing and real conversation has supported kids and educators all over the globe. Her research has given her a deep understanding of what makes literacy matter. She believes literacy is one of the greatest ways to connect us. We see ourselves in books and more importantly we understand ourselves and others when we write. Christy creates that sense of empowerment by loving educators and kids, and helping them to love themself and each other.
The times they are a our changing. Leading with Heart has always stood for humanity. Now more than ever we need to feel seen. We need to feel as if we matter. We need to feel loved.
Upcoming Summer Workshops
Institute/Retreat Days
This is a MUST for anyone NEW to Reading or Writing Workshop or anyone who needs a refresher, or just needs a little inspiration. These institute days help teachers become invested in the work because they learn the philosophy and understand “the why.” The goal is to walk away with a depth around the research in the teaching of reading and writing, along with helping to build the educator’s confidence as well as their craft. These days provide an in-depth study of the content. This initial understanding into new content is often a four or five day institute/retreat.
On-site Learning Lab Days
Grade level teams (or cross grade level) study the work in the actual classroom setting. They may meet briefly prior to the classroom and then immediately after to reflect on the work modeled or practiced, and then to consider implications to their own practice as they move forward. Often these visits work well if done in a cycle of 3 days or more so that the consultant can gradually release the work to the teachers.
Full-Day Workshops
These are days when new content is explored. This often happens after a reading or writing workshop institute has been attended and implemented. In can be around any area of literacy. Many times it is an in-depth study of a unit such as literary essay. It may also be a study around our practice--conferring, small group work, interactive read aloud with grand conversations. These days are typically for the advanced educator.
Administrative/ Literacy Coaching Days
This can be a half or full day devoted to any kind of support the administration is looking for. Learning walks are essential for celebrating the growth of teachers first learning the work. Principals often desire crash courses on specific needs of their building: such as, looking at student work, what to look for when studying instruction, and what to listen for when studying a curriculum of talk to name a few. Literacy coaches provide an integral support for teachers when they are learning new and difficult content. However, coaches often feel as if they are barely ahead of their teachers when they are learning the content alongside them. They want extra support so when the consultant is not there they can be continuing the work and support for the teacher
One-On-One Coaching Days
On these days, no substitutes are required. It is a time for the consultant to work one-on-one with a teacher. Most often the teacher sets the focus for the work. She works on her practice with the consultant who coaches her while in the midst. In addition, the consultant provides support through specific feedback on all the ways the teacher has grown in her practice and possibly a few items to add to her repertoire of goals. This second piece of feedback is often discussed together with the consultant so that the teacher makes the decisions in her practice.
Virtual Learning
It is a difficult time. We all have come to realize that virtual learning is not the best kind of learning for kids. I have come to realize it is not the best learning for adults either. That said, even in the moments when I really thought how can I possibly connect?--it happened. I always say good teaching is good teaching—whether you teach third grade well, PreK, adults or through a computer, if you teach well, you teach well. I teach well. I connect even in this virtual life. I have definitely learned some tricks in these last five months, and continue to grow stronger every day. Look over the options above and we will make it happen!
Parent Support (During These Difficult Times!)
Kids Need Connection:
Book clubs w an emphasis on conversation
Writing Clubs w an emphasis on identity and conversation
Combination of both