Tune in to this episode as hosts, Becky Lewis and Samantha Statler discuss the importance of building classroom culture. The resource they use for this episode is the book High Impact Instruction- A Framework for Great Teaching written by Jim Knight. Samantha and Becky walk you through the five recommendations Jim offers in this text which are: co-construct norms with your students, reinforce students when they act consistently with the norms, spread learner-friendly emotions, design a learner-friendly learning environment, and walk the talk ..read more

Tune in to this episode as hosts, Becky Lewis and Samantha Statler discuss teacher clarity. Not only do they discuss what it is, but they also dive into why it is important and how you can ensure teacher clarity in your classroom ..read more

In this episode of the Leaders of Literacy podcast, Early and Elementary Learning Specialists Samantha Statler and Amber Meyers along with special guest, Janie Merendino discuss the importance of number sense and how it can be tied back into literature in the classroom.  Janie shares her experiences working in the primary classroom. and also gives insight to how she used mathematics and literature together in her instruction ..read more

Early and Elementary Learning Specialists Samantha Statler and Brittany Fike reflect on the previous episode where they interviewed Jim Knight. During that episode, Jim referred to his latest publication, The Definitive Guide to Instructional Coaching: Seven Factors to Success, several times. These seven factors include: the partnership principles, communication skills, coaches as leaders, the impact cycle, data, the instructional playbook, and system support. These ladies talk in-depth about each of these seven factors of success and how they all tie together to benefit instructional coaches ..read more

Looking for ways to build effective school-community partnerships? In this episode, Early and Elementary Learning Specialists, Becky Lewis and Samantha Statler discuss the benefits and importance of forming effective school-community partnerships. Tune in to hear a little more about where you can start on your journey to building effective school-community partnerships ..read more

Join Becky Lewis, Brandie Turner, and J.D. Maue, as they discuss how the Early and Elementary Technical Assistance Center (EL TAC) and Marshall University's June Harless Center can support districts and educators throughout the state with their summer learning programs ..read more

Join Becky Lewis, Brandie Turner, and Christy Schwartz,  as they discuss the engaging, hand-on activities that West Virginia Students experienced last year as a part of the Summer SOLE Grant Program. Christy shares tips and ideas that districts can take into consideration as they plan their upcoming summer learning programs ..read more

In this episode, Early and Elementary Learning Specialists Becky Lewis and Danielle Irby interview Leslie Summers. Leslie works in the WVU Extension Office and discusses some of the extended learning services that are available through the WVU Extension Office. Leslie primary focus is  on positive youth development by offering programs to Cabell County students ..read more

In this episode, Early and Elementary Learning Specialists, Becky Lewis and Danielle Irby, talk with Keisha Runion, the Science, STEAM, Computer Science, and Social Studies coordinator in Early and Elementary Services in the Office of Teaching and Learning at the WV Department of Education about incorporating STEAM into extended learning opportunities.  Not only do these ladies discuss the importance of afterschool STEAM programs, but they also provide the latest findings and research in West Virginia afterschool STEAM programs ..read more

In this episode, Early and Elementary Learning Specialists, Sam Statler and Kerri Templeton, are joined by Paula Stewart, an Infant/Toddler Specialist. Paula brings light to the importance of a toddler’s social and emotional well-being. She also shares several strategies a caregiver could use during their daily routine to help foster the learn ..read more