Deepening Practice in Literacy Instruction

On our February Professional Development Day, teachers, Education Assistants, principals, and Learning Support Teachers from six schools came together with a shared purpose: strengthening literacy instruction for every learner.

Grounded in the evidence-based practices of UFLI Foundations, our time focused on building common language, deepening understanding of explicit phonics instruction, and exploring how strong Tier 1 classroom practice connects with small-group and intervention supports. The power of the day was in the collaboration — classroom teachers alongside EAs, LSTs, and school leaders — all learning together and aligning our approaches.

Across roles and schools, there was a clear commitment to clarity, consistency, and collective responsibility. When we share language, routines, and instructional practices, students experience greater confidence and success.

This is the heart of strong literacy systems: not isolated classrooms, but connected teams working with purpose.