MSU Prestonsburg hosts Kentucky Reading Project

The Kentucky Reading Project (KRP) held one of its statewide institutes at Morehead State University at Prestonsburg, June 12 through June 20. Nearly 50 local educators participated in the event. 

KRP is a professional development initiative of the Collaborative Center for Literacy Development. The yearlong, graduate-level literacy course consists of a two-week intensive summer institute, four follow-up sessions during the year, and at least one coaching visit to each teacher. 

Supervising the Prestonsburg training were Dr. Becky Roach, Kentucky Educational Development Corporation associate director; Sarah Kelsey, Greenup County School District third-grade teacher; and Debra Craver, a retired teacher. 

Eight Kentucky universities serve as sites for KRP and university literacy faculty serve as directors of KRP. Training specialists from the National Center for Families Learning provide information, resources and support regarding family engagement in literacy. 

Participants took part in both Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy (SRCL), and Kentucky Read to Achieve (KY RTA) programs. 

Teachers in both programs attended training where they learned about research-based reading strategies, differentiated instruction, management of the reading classroom, and student conferences.  The groups will return for follow-up sessions in September and March and present at a statewide conference in Louisville in April 2020. 

During KRP, teachers learn best practices in literacy instruction while participating in a professional learning community that positions them for leadership roles in their school, district and the state. They increase their effectiveness as teachers by expanding their knowledge base and deepening their understanding of best practices in literacy instruction as they develop and implement a Literacy Action Plan in their classrooms.

Attending the Prestonsburg institute were: 

Taylor Moore, Ashland; Tracy Baker, Jackson; Lesley Allen, Jackson; Amy Gabbard, Booneville; Sherrironica Thomas, West Liberty; Lauren Flanery, Sandy Hook; Sara McKay, Pikeville; Desiree N. Bradley-Johnson, Prestonsburg; Hannah Newsome, Prestonsburg, Tina Mosley, Hi Hat; Margaret Davidson, Hazard, Holley Collins, Jenkins; Brooklynn Barker, Flat Gap, Brandi LeMaster, Staffordsville; Rachel Shrum, Leburn, Malissa Young, Neon; Kristi L. Hatton, Whitesburg; Christina Rawlings Jessey, Jenkins; Jerica Conley, Salyersville; Mari Ellyn Howard, Salyersville; Bethany McGinnis, Inez;  

Ashley L. Adams, Paintsville; Tara Combs, Hazard; Nikesha Collins, Pikeville; Cary L Hall, Pikeville; Emmalynn Edmonds, Ashland; Kayla D. Wilson, Tyner; Amy D. Dunn, Campton; Rita Mills, Tomahawk; Kiana Hall, Hi Hat; Caitlin Matijasic, Grethel; Mercedes Stephens, Prestonsburg; Kara Gess, Lovely; Mary Horn, Inez; Lois Slone, Lovely; Samantha Ward, Beauty; Anna DeLong, Warfield; and Samantha Owens, Hueysville. 

The mission of KRP is to increase student achievement and family engagement in literacy by empowering P-5 teachers to design and implement comprehensive, research-based instruction driven by the on-going assessment of diverse learners’ needs. 

Additional information is available by contacting Dr. Roach at rebecca.roach@kedc.org. 

You can learn more about MSU at Prestonsburg by visiting www.moreheadstate.edu/prestonsburg or by calling 606-886-2405 or 606-783-5421.