The objective of the institute was to provide ISD literacy coaches with the latest on the MAISA Essential Coaching Practices, specifically on interactive writing.

“I think with interactive writing, it’s always a challenge to fit everything in, but yet writing and literacy are so critical that anytime we get exposure to new materials and new resources and new ways of improving our craft, we’re open to it,” said Krista Johnson, principal of Webster Kindergarten Center.

Kristie Latsch, general education director and Multi-Tiered System of Support director for the Delta Schoolcraft Intermediate School District, had advocated for MAISA to host an Intensive Coaching Institute in Delta County to support the work of DSISD’s two literacy coaches, JoeyLynn Selling and Laura Carlson.

Selling and Carlson are both available to any district within the DSISD, which includes Bark River-Harris, Big Bay de Noc, Escanaba, Gladstone, Manistique, Mid-Peninsula, Nah Tah Wahsh PSA and Rapid River.

Children from Lisa Gagnon's classroom practiced sounding out words during the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators Intensive Coaching Institute that recently took place at Webster Kindergarten Center. Literacy Coach Colleen Sundholm from Marquette Regional Education Service Agency role played as a teacher so another coach, Kari Sobey of Hillman Elementary, right, could watch her work and provide feedback on her techniques. (Sophie Vogelmann | Daily Press)

“MAISA had certain requirements that they were looking for in order to host the four-day training event. I helped them find a location that met those requirements,” Latsch said in a written statement.

Webster was among 31 schools in Michigan to host the four-day institute over the past seven years, according to Johnson.

“(Latsch) sent me some more information and I thought ‘This could be a great opportunity for our teachers to participate — not only for the coaches, but for our teachers — but then also to highlight our building and bring some awareness,” Johnson said.

“There are a lot of individuals in there who have never been in a kindergarten-only building, so it’s fairly unique to the U.P. but I think it’s unique to lower Michigan as well,” she said.

The coaches who attended the institute includes: JoeyLynn Selling, DSISD; Laura Carlson, DSISD; Colleen Sundholm, Marquette Regional Education Service Agency; Chandra Ziegler, Marquette RESA; Kari Sobey, Hillman Elementary; Kelsey Herrild, Menominee County ISD; Ashley Thomas, Dickinson-Iron ISD; and Ashley Karkkainen, Menominee County ISD.

Facilitators of the institute include Suzy Coffman, St. Joseph County ISD, and Heidi Gascon, Ingham ISD.

Johnson chose four teachers from the center to participate; Jenn Berg, Lisa Gagnon, Margie Schafer and Lisa Willis.

“The whole model of coaching and learning from literacy experts is new to us, so if we can feel more comfortable having folks come in and share other ways of presenting material, then we’re all for it,” Johnson said.

DSISD has funded literacy coaches through the state’s 35(a)(4) ISD Early Literacy Coach Grant. The district began employing literacy coaches in the 2017-28 school year, with Selling and Carlson currently in the position.

The training provided coaching practice during peer feedback cycles. Coaches also learned how to improve the feedback they provide to teachers back in their own districts throughout the region.

“Really what they’re here to do is hone in on their craft. We do some role-playing, so they’ll be pulling groups of students. One will be the teacher, and one will be the coach,” said Shellie Gohl, professional learning coordinator for literacy initiatives at MAISA.

Gohl said they also are beginning a regional coaching model, which expands the number of coaching intensives they can offer to coaches throughout the state.

“This year, I am working on credentialing four new facilitators, so we have two facilitators that are shadowing this week. What they’re really trying to do is understand the moves that the lead facilitators are taking, their questioning, how they’re providing feedback (to coaches),” Gohl said.

Coaches also role played as teachers so two other coaches could watch their work with a small group of students and provide feedback on their teaching techniques. This guides the coach to provide better feedback to the teachers they coach in their district.

“Hosting an Intensive Coaching Institute is an investment in the literacy success of not only our own students, but the success of children from around the state,” Johnson said in a written statement presented to the Escanaba School Board on Monday.