While the use of HQIM is on the rise, we cannot assume that materials alone will support teachers with meeting students’ needs. To effectively support students, teachers must:
Understand the principles of the Science of Reading (SoR)
Understand the role of culturally inclusive, student-centered, and linguistically affirming education in the literacy classroom
Understand how their HQIM is aligned with these principles
Receive ongoing training and coaching to support the alignment of their instructional practices to both SoR and their HQIM
Recognizing the pivotal role of strong literacy coaching in supporting teacher practice and improving student outcomes, MSDE is committed to robustly supporting these critical positions.
The MSDE Literacy Coaching Model outlines four key competencies for literacy coaches in the state: Foster Strong Partnerships and Relationships, Set Data Driven Goals, Implement Consistent Coaching Cycles, and Design and Deliver Effective Professional Learning.
The MSDE Coaching Model aims to build a shared knowledge base among coaches, equipping them with the guidance, tools, and training necessary to lead with clarity and confidence. This strengthened support for coaches will help enhance literacy instruction and student outcomes across the state.
Professional Learning
The Maryland State Department of Education is excited to host a year-long professional learning series for all K-5 literacy coaches across the state of Maryland. Following the September Launch that introduces the model's core competencies, actions, and aligned tools, MSDE will provide ongoing monthly opportunities for continued professional learning for K-5 literacy coaches.
The targeted audience for this professional learning series is K-5 literacy coaches.
A literacy coach is an instructional leader with deep expertise in the science of reading, high-quality instructional materials (HQIM), and research-based practices.
The core role of a literacy coach is to develop teachers' literacy practices through non-evaluative, consistent, job-embedded professional learning and support. This role should include a comparable schedule that allows this critical work to occur daily.
Coach Responsibilities:
Facilitating PL on various literacy-related topics
Providing support in the Literacy Classroom
Literacy Data Analysis and Utilization
Continuous Improvement for Literacy Instruction
Literacy Resource Development and Sharing
The MSDE Literacy Coaching Model Professional Learning Series provides an opportunity for educators to earn professional toward the renewal of a Maryland Educator License.
Participants in the MSDE Literacy Coaching Model Professional Learning Series
are eligible to earn 1 Professional Development Point (PDP) for every clock hour spent engaged in professional learning.
The amount of time dedicated to engaging in the
year-long professional learning series will dictate the total amount of PDPs participants can earn. Participants who need Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits to renew their educator certificates may request CPDs if they complete a minimum of 15 clock hours. Professional Development Points will be provided based on completion of the following:
September Launch
Four 1.25 hr. Virtual Learning Sessions = 5 hrs.
One Full Day In-person session = 6 hrs.
Asynchronous work with Excel in Ed
Principles and Practices that Foster a Positive Culture = 8 hrs.
Ongoing Monthly Professional Learning Opportunities
Four 1.5 hr. Core Competency Spotlight Webinars = 6 hrs.
Four 1 hr. Office Hour Sessions = 4 hrs.
3 Full Day In-Person Symposiums= 18hrs.
Total: 47 hrs. = 47 PDPs (3 CPDs)
For more information about licensure renewal requirements, please visit the
MSDE Licensure Office renewal webpage.
Through a combination of virtual and in-person experiences, elementary literacy coaches will be introduced to the new MSDE Literacy coaching model, state coaching resource hub, and tools to help you excel in your role as you continue to support Maryland educators by enhancing their literacy practices and improving student outcomes!
Professional Learning Series Goals:
Explore: Dive into the MSDE Literacy Coaching Model and explore the online coaching resources hub and toolkit
Engage: Participate in activities designed to help you plan for how to support your teachers with the science of reading and high-quality instructional material implementation this school year
Collaborate: Network with fellow coaches from across the state to learn with and from one another
Professional Learning Series Goals:
Strengthen Coaching Structures: Assist coaches in developing or refining effective coaching structures, including observation protocols, feedback strategies, and coaching cycles, to support teacher growth and development.
Deepen Understanding of Core Competencies: Continue to explore and apply the core competencies of the Literacy Coaching Model, such as fostering positive relationships, data-driven goal setting, implementing full coaching cycles, and delivering effective professional.
Apply MSDE Resources Effectively: Provide opportunities for coaches to apply relevant MSDE literacy coaching resources and tools to real-world coaching scenarios, ensuring alignment with coaching standards and best practices.
Foster High-Quality Literacy Instruction: Support coaches in understanding and promoting the expectations of high-quality, science of reading-aligned literacy instruction that is culturally inclusive, linguistically affirming, and student-centered.
Promote Collaborative Learning: Create a space for Maryland elementary literacy coaches to engage in collaborative learning and professional development together; developing a network of Maryland elementary literacy coaches.
Purpose: Office Hours provide an opportunity for coaches to receive targeted technical support with implementing the coaching model and/or problems of practice. Topics will be determined by needs assessment and participant survey results.
Format: Synchronous, live online
Length: 60 minutes
9:00 - 10:00 am
OR
1:00 - 2:00 pm | 9:00 - 10:00 am
OR
1:00 - 2:00 pm | 9:00 - 10:00 am
OR
1:00 - 2:00 pm | 9:00 - 10:00 am
OR
1:00 - 2:00 pm |
|
Register Here |
Register Here |
Register Here |
Register Here
|
Coaches will submit questions and/or discuss topics for the upcoming Office Hours via the
Coaching Office Hours Question and Discussion Topic Submission Survey.
Purpose: Spotlight Webinars provide an opportunity for building and district teams to engage in continued exploration of the MSDE Literacy Coaching model as instructional leadership teams learn how select coaches, schools, and/or districts are finding success with implementing a core competency.
Format: Synchronous, live online
Length: 90 minutes
| Foster and maintain strong partnerships and relationships | Implement and Monitor Consistent Coaching Cycles | Design and Deliver Effective Professional Learning | Set Data Driven-Goals
|
| 4:15 – 5:45 pm | 4:15 – 5:45 pm | 4:15 – 5:45 pm | 4:15 – 5:45 pm |
|
Register Here |
Register Here |
Register Here
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Register Here |
Coaches, building leaders, and/or District leaders may submit to present and/or share their success at a spotlight webinar via the
Coaching Core Competency Spotlight Submission survey.
Purpose: In-Person Symposiums provide an opportunity for literacy coaches from across the state to gather, network, and collaborate while enhancing their coaching practices and engaging in ongoing exploration of the core competencies and actions outlined in the MSDE Literacy Coaching Model.
Format: Hybrid, Live (In-person with a limited virtual attendance option)
Length: Full day
18th
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Westminster Library: Exploration Commons
50 East Main St.
Westminster, MD 21157 | Location 1: TBD (Northern) | Location 1: TBD (Central) |
20th
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Due to low enrollment for in-person attendance, this session will now be fully virtual.
| Location 2: TBD (Southern) | Location 2: TBD (Central) |
|
Register here |
Want to be notified when registration opens?
Complete this interest survey |
Join us to enhance your coaching skills and make a greater impact on your students and teachers!
Learn more
Recognizing the pivotal role that aligned leadership plays in the successful implementation of a literacy coaching model that supports teacher practice and improves student outcomes, MSDE will be offering a 4-part webinar series to support district and elementary school leadership teams with the successful implementation of the literacy coaching model in their districts and schoolhouse.
With support from MSDE, district and elementary school leadership teams will work to identify ways the literacy coaching model can allow school systems to collectively provide support to teachers that is coherent, targeted, and aligned to state, district, and school-based literacy goals.
Professional Learning Series Goals:
Develop an understanding of the MSDE Literacy Coaching Model’s core competencies for coaches, school-based leaders, district leaders, and the state departments of education.
Dive into MSDE’s Literacy Coaching Model and explore the online coaching resources hub available to coaches.
Explore tools to support leadership teams with targeted and aligned implementation of the literacy coaching model.
Network with fellow leadership teams from across the state to learn with and from one another.
Determine actionable steps that will enable schools to implement the coaching model with integrity.
Purpose: District and elementary school leadership teams are invited to collaborate with MSDE and other leadership teams from across the state to develop actionable steps for supporting successful implementation of the MSDE Literacy Coaching Model.
Format: Synchronous, live online
Length: 75 minutes
| 4:30 - 5:45 p.m. | TBD | TBD | TBD |
|
Register Here | Want to be notified when registration opens?
Complete this survey |
MSDE is also seeking insight from district and elementary leadership teams to solidify the start and end times of the final webinars.
Please share your thoughts by completing this
brief survey.