Principal Literacy Series: The Right Tools to Succeed [Guest Blog: Dr. Jodi Wilson, Lakeview Elementary School, Gillette, Wyoming]

I love school supplies. I always have. The sound of tearing into sealed plastic to click a brand new mechanical pencil has been my favorite sound since third grade.

I love erasers. Sometimes I will write something just to erase it. These inexpensive necessities have always brought me such joy.

I believe my obsession with school supplies developed because of my desire to perform well in school. In my grade school days, we used pencils and paper daily. Our classrooms were not filled with handheld devices, wall-mounted computers, or text-to-speech capabilities. Rather than typing on a machine, we hand-wrote assignments. I remember writing several rough drafts of essays before turning in a final copy. It was these experiences that taught me to love the tools that eased my work.

As a principal, I believe it is my job to give my staff and my students tools to ease their work. These tools may include professional development opportunities, books, supplies, and even technology. It is my belief that we all need the correct tools to be successful. The greatest way we ensure students are being successful in school is to give them the right tools!

If we want students to engage with books and reading, we have to provide them with specific tools. Students need books in their hands and time to read those books! It is only my first year in the Principal role. I am by no means an expert. In fact, I am as green as they come. What I do know is that students will not be successful in life if they are not literate. I also know that we must teach a love of literacy early on.

Dr. Jodi Wilson, Lakeview Elementary

I am fortunate enough to have Interventionists in my building. We have two Reading Interventionists and one Math Interventionist. These three educators work primarily with Kindergarten, First, and Second grade students. Our goal is to identify struggling students early in order to intervene as early as possible. These interventionists are helping to increase reading literacy and math literacy in our building. Research continually shows that early interventions are the most fruitful. Our goal is to intervene early in order to intervene less later.

Another strategy we incorporated into our toolbox this year has been the creation of Tiger Vision. We are the Lakeview Tigers so, of course, we had to use our mascot as the theme. Tiger Vision is an eye tracking training boot camp. Students literally play games to increase their eye tracking abilities. The best part is they don’t even realize they are working! Kinesthetic actions paired with letters, numbers, and words helps strengthen their eye muscles. Research shows that eye tracking training can enhance learning and increase reading skills in children. We have already seen growth in students who have participated in Tiger Vision. This is an unconventional way we have been promoting literacy. We are giving students the tools they need to read!

Lastly, our teachers. The teachers in my building have a love of literacy. They have mounds of books in their classrooms for students to discover. In the lower levels, we have adults pulling students into the hallway to read with when they have time. Students have book totes full of books of interest and books to reinforce skills they’re learning within the classroom. In the upper levels, teachers are conducting book clubs - complete with book tastings, snacks, and decaf coffee! Our teachers show students daily that reading is fun! We have classrooms who have read-a-thons where they wear pajamas, bring a comfy blanket or stuffed animal, and get to read for hours in their classroom with their teachers. In fact, these days are rewards for our students. They work hard to earn them and are excited when they happen!

Promoting literacy is about providing students with the tools they need to be successful. If educators can decrease the challenges students face when reading (and writing), students are more apt to want to read. If educators show students how reading can take them on adventures, students will be excited to open a book! If we can give students the strategies to enjoy reading, we are already winning half the battle!      

Dr. Jodi Wilson is the Principal at Lakeview Elementary in Gillette, Wyoming. As a first year Principal, her focus this year has been discovering ways to increase student and teacher success in her building. She believes in the whole child approach to education, understanding that students need multiple learning experiences and opportunities to be successful. Prior to moving into the Principal role, Dr. Wilson served as an Instructional Facilitator and a classroom teacher. Dr. Wilson has a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry, a M.A. in Teaching, an Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. Dr. Wilson is a lifelong learner who enjoys reading, crafting, and spending time with her family.