The Literacy Lab

The Literacy Lab is thrilled to announce Torren L. Cooper as our 2024-2025 Leading Men Fellowship National Education Ambassador. A native of Washington, D.C., Cooper will play a pivotal role in helping The Literacy Lab attract men of color from across the city and the nation to pursue careers in teaching. As a member of The Literacy Lab’s 2016 cohort, Cooper holds the distinction of being the first Leading Men Fellow to become a full-time teacher, serving at Thomas Elementary School in Washington, D.C. In his new role as National Education Ambassador, Cooper aims to change the narrative around the lack of teacher diversity and inspire more men of color to consider careers in education: “I’m honored to be named the Leading Men Fellowship’s National Education Ambassador,” said Cooper. “Accepting this volunteer position gives me the perfect platform to help inspire young men of color to answer the call to help diversify the racial makeup of classroom teachers here in the DC region and beyond.” We are excited for an amazing year as Torren L. Cooper continues the work of The Literacy Lab and the Leading Men Fellowship! #TheLiteracyLab #LMFAscend2024 #Answerthecall #WashingtonDC #LeadingMenFellowship

*UPDATED WITH ADDITIONAL PHOTOS* The Literacy Lab is excited to announce the expansion of our Board of Directors! We have appointed 13 new board members with an array of revenue generation experience to help bolster The Literacy Lab's programs and services. The newly appointed Directors bring a diversity of backgrounds, skills, identities, lived experiences, and geographic locations to more fully reflect the communities that The Literacy Lab serves. Literacy Lab President & CEO Dr. Heather Jenkins had this to say about the newly elected members. “We are excited to welcome such a diverse group of professionals to join our Board of Directors. Their passion about our work and diverse talent and expertise in revenue generation will enhance the strength and impact of our board and our ability to achieve our mission as we work to redress deeply entrenched educational and societal inequities through the power of literacy." Access the press release here: https://lnkd.in/exz3TjpY #TheLiteracy#Lab #Atlanta #Cincinnati #Baltimore #DC #Milwaukee

Our Leading Men Fellows are gearing up for the 2024 -2025 academic year, embarking on a residency where they will deliver evidence-based literacy support to students in #Atlanta, #Cincinnati, #Baltimore, #Milwaukee, and #DC. Now is the perfect time to show your support! Visit our online store and grab some merch—whether it's joggers, hoodies, t-shirts, or mugs, there's something for everyone! Your purchase and donations help support The Literacy Lab’s Leading Men Fellowship in creating opportunities for young men of color and increasing representation in the field of education. LMF Online Store: https://lnkd.in/ePbwzaQm Donate: https://hubs.li/Q02M4h6M0 #TheLiteracyLab #LMF #Literacy #Education

Last week, we wrapped up the 2024 Leading Men Fellowship Ascend Training Institute in Washington, D.C. Fellows from #Atlanta, #Baltimore, #Cincinnati, #Milwaukee, and #DC gathered in our nation's capital for a week of impactful training, fellowship, and unforgettable experiences. Stay tuned for footage from this incredible event! #AnswertheCall #LMFAscend2024 #TheLiteracyLab #LeadingMenFellowship

The Literacy Lab is excited to announce the expansion of our Board of Directors! We have appointed 13 new board members with an array of revenue generation experience to help bolster The Literacy Lab's programs and services. The newly appointed Directors bring a diversity of backgrounds, skills, identities, lived experiences, and geographic locations to more fully reflect the communities that The Literacy Lab serves. Literacy Lab President & CEO Dr. Heather Jenkins had this to say about the newly elected members. “We are excited to welcome such a diverse group of professionals to join our Board of Directors. Their passion about our work and diverse talent and expertise in revenue generation will enhance the strength and impact of our board and our ability to achieve our mission as we work to redress deeply entrenched educational and societal inequities through the power of literacy." The Board of Directors include: - Steven Carniol - Paul Cheung - Terrans Edmonds Jr. - Rhonda Henderson - Brian Holland - Dr. Jess Ingrassellino - Mamie Jackson Williams - Rita Sadhvani - Christian Shaboo - David Tate - Jackie Thomas Suggs - Keon Toyer - Donald Walther Access the press release here: https://lnkd.in/exz3TjpY #TheLiteracy#Lab #Atlanta #Cincinnati #Baltimore #DC #Milwaukee

Governor Phil Murphy of #NewJersey signed a bill last week that mandates literacy screening for the state’s youngest students, aiming to address pandemic-related learning losses. The legislation, which received unanimous support requires that students in kindergarten through third grade be screened for literacy at least twice a year starting in the 2025-26 school year. Parents will be notified of the results, and interventions will be required for students who fall behind their peers. What do you think about this new bill that is intended to accelerate literacy learning in New Jersey? Read the full article with New Jersey Monitor here: https://lnkd.in/dj-nD-yg #NewJersey #Literacy #Educators #Newark #TheLiteracyLab

Ruth Johnson Colvin, the founder of Literacy Volunteers of America, passed away on August 18th at the age of 107. Concerned about the low literacy rates in her Syracuse, New York community, Colvin began offering tutoring services in her basement, where she opened a classroom and recruited local volunteers. Her initiative provided individuals with basic language skills, helping them access educational and job opportunities. By 1967, Literacy Volunteers of America was officially registered in New York State, with 77 tutors and 100 students. In 2002, the organization merged with Laubach Literacy International to form ProLiteracy, which now boasts around 10,000 tutors across 42 U.S. states and 60 other countries, offering lessons in reading and writing. In recognition of her significant contributions, Colvin received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honor, from President George W. Bush in 2006. The Literacy Lab is grateful for the work and legacy of Ruth Johnson Colvin to close the literacy gap among Americans. Source: BBC #Literacy #NewYork #TheLiteracyLab #Reading #Volunteers

Leading Men Fellows journeyed approximately 500 miles from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Washington, D.C., to attend the Ascend Training Institute. The Literacy Lab launched its Leading Men Fellowship in Cincinnati during the 2022-2023 school year, partnering with Cincinnati Public Schools and Learning Grove to place Fellows in pre-K classrooms, providing early literacy support across the city. With the support of Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Education, this vision became a reality, helping to close the literacy gap across six schools and reaching over 300 students in Cincinnati. #AnswertheCall #LMFAscend2024 #TheLiteracyLab #Cincinnati #Ohio #LeadingMenFellowship

The Leading Men Fellowship ascended the nation’s capital from August 11th to August 17th, and it was an unforgettable experience! Throughout the week, the Fellows received comprehensive training designed to equip them with the tools and support necessary to provide evidence-based literacy assistance to pre-kindergarten students. The Fellows participated in various Community Impact Workshops focused on Trauma-Informed Practices and the SEEDS approach (Sensitivity, Encouragement, Education, Development of Skills, and Self-Image), which are crucial for helping children develop the literacy skills they need to be ready for kindergarten. Following their training, the Fellows enjoyed culturally enriching and fun excursions, including visits to the National Museum of African American History (@Smithsonian) and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. These experiences created lasting memories for the Leading Men Fellowship 2024-2025 cohort. We are excited to continue supporting their greatness and growth! #TheLiteracyLab #LMFAscend2024 #AnswertheCall #WashingtonDC #LeadingMenFellowship

Lauren Smith Ford interviews author and mother Maya Smart about child literacy, deep reading, and the freedom found in books. Smart, who holds a master’s in journalism from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s in social studies from Harvard University, is affiliated faculty in Educational Policy and Leadership at Marquette University’s College of Education. In her book *Reading for Our Lives: A Literacy Action Plan from Birth to Six*, Smart empowers parents to be their children’s first and most influential teachers. Reflecting on her commitment to helping parents raise fluent readers, Smart shares, "My passion for helping parents raise readers began when my daughter was very young. I’d read heartbreaking articles about reading disparities between Black and white children, Hispanic and white children, and children from lower-income versus higher-income households. I knew these gaps reflected average reading performance among the groups — not some inherent difference in children’s capacity to succeed." The Literacy Lab would like to thank Maya Smart and others like her that are working hard to close the literacy gap! Interview: https://lnkd.in/eZqyNRe5 "Reading for Our Lives: A Literacy Action Plan from Birth to Six": https://lnkd.in/eKK-WMpn #LiteracyGap #ChildrensLiteracy #Education #Reading #BreneBrown #TheLitreacyLab