There Is No Science of Reading Without the Scientists!

Marisa Miranda • Cahn Fellow 2023

In Prince Wiliam County Schools, our work is guided by Richard Elmore’s Instructional Core Theory. We understand that the instructional core involves the dynamic interplay between the expertise and abilities of the teacher and the level of student involvement in learning activities, all within the context of a challenging and pertinent curriculum.  Our work at Glenkirk Elementary focused on all elements of the instructional core, specifically focusing on strengthening teacher knowledge and skills to increase the remaining elements.  Glenkirk Elementary is a community of learners, both veteran and novice, who believe in transforming their craft to meet the needs of our diverse learners.

Delving into the high skill level already present in the instructors of our special populations, our work for this project focused on literacy shifts for ALL students and all educators. This work allowed us to get ahead of the evidence-based literacy instruction change in elementary education as it pertains to the new state law in Virginia, the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA). This timely work, spread over four years, showed not only a quick return to pre-pandemic data but also a renewed interest in on-site, timely, teacher focused professional development.