The Reading Endorsement program is a general overview of teaching reading at every grade level, as well as instruction to better understand a school district and their plan for reading instruction district-wide. The course work focuses on each level, elementary, middle school, and high school, as well as focuses on the district level and the job of an instructional coach to support teachers in their reading instruction.

The program delves into how students’ reading evolves as they move through the education system and provides educators with solutions and strategies to support students at each level. Another advantageous piece of the reading endorsement is learning about current best practice in teaching reading. Throughout the program, educators look at how philosophies or teaching reading have evolved over time, and offers explanation for why there still exists multiple perspectives on how to best teach students to read. The reading endorsement is relevant and timely as state and federal mandates continue to push for closing the achievement and opportunity gaps.

Specifically, I appreciated learning about various reading strategies aimed at younger grade levels, because it allowed for me to adapt strategies I use with students of varying levels within my classroom. I was able to see how reading can be adapted throughout K-12 and gain tools to better differentiate for all of my students, especially those that are reluctant to read or have specific learning needs. Overall, I believe that the reading endorsement made me a better educator because it allowed me to build my self-efficacy in my instruction.

What You’ll learn in a Reading Endorsement Program 

Throughout the reading endorsement program, educators learn about teaching reading and supporting readers at every level. This provides all teachers with a broad scope of reading in schools, and supports educator development of understanding how to best support students in reading. As educators, we are charged with being able to differentiate for our learners and provide educational supports which will build skills toward proficiency. Within the reading endorsement program, educators learn about specific reading strategies that can be adapted to meet a wide range of learners and be adapted to any grade level.

Educators are also asked to problem-solve ways they can adapt strategies to fit their content area or own classroom. The discussions and assignments throughout the reading endorsement program are applicable to the classroom and require educators to reflect on their own practices while learning new tools to implement into their current teaching.

Within the program, there are multiple clinical experiences that fit into the course work. Through these hours, educators are able to step into new classrooms and experience working with students are various levels. Each clinical experience required different tasks, which I found to be very beneficial. There was opportunity for providing small-group and whole-class instruction, implementing assessments with students, and the opportunity to provide intervention and progress monitoring using evidence-based reading strategies. I found these experiences to be especially beneficial when working in my own school to then implement interventions under our schools Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) model. I felt better equipped to approach my own classroom and support students after having had these clinical experiences.

The reading endorsement program allowed me to view reading differently and make changes to my classroom due to the new understandings in my own philosophy of reading, which I gained throughout the course work.

Advantages of a Reading Endorsement

The reading endorsement is beneficial for all educators because all educators support students through various reading tasks. Whether a primary teacher is working with emerging readers or a high school science teacher is supporting students to read their content, the reading endorsement can be an excellent way for educators to deeply understand the reading process and build skills to better instruct in their specific areas.

The program provides professional advancement in that it enables an educator to be better equipped to meet students’ needs in reading and all content areas as well as open doors for educators to support other teachers. Whether being a teacher leader or looking for instructional coach positions, the reading endorsement broadens an educator’s understanding of student learning and how to best support the needs of both students and teachers. Because the reading endorsement adds to your teaching license, it enables teachers to broaden their eligible areas of instruction.

Overall, I believe the reading endorsement program provided me with the knowledge and skills to be a better practitioner. Not only did the program give me a better understanding of students learning, it built my confidence in my ability to analyze my students’ needs, determine interventions and supports, deliver effective instruction, communicate with colleagues and parents effectively, and feel better about the decisions I make in my classroom for my students. The knowledge I gained from the reading endorsement program is vital in my development as an educator and the instruction I now offer my students.

Want to broaden your knowledge about reading instruction in your classroom? Explore our literacy degree with reading endorsement program to get started!

The post What are the Advantages of a Reading Endorsement? appeared first on CSP Global.

Why did you want to work in education? What inspired you?

Working in education has never been a question for me. I’ve felt a need to help others from a very young age. As I entered university and considered what I wanted to do professionally, it became apparent that teaching was an area of great passion for me. Throughout my education program and obtaining my first teaching position, I found that I cared deeply for the betterment of the education system. I believe that all children can learn. While that learning may look different and happen at different rates, all children can make progress. Working in education has brought me so much joy because of the extensive learning opportunities that exist within this field. Education is continuously evolving, and it needs strong educators that believe in best practice and professional advancement through research to make it the best possible system to support young people.

Why did you choose CSP Global for your reading endorsement?

CSP Global offered a program that fit well with my schedule and my needs. I was looking for a program that would offer flexibility with my time. I wanted to ensure a class structure that would fit with my schedule, but I also wanted face-to-face interactions with instructors and other students. I appreciate taking classes in a blended model, and CSP Global offered that. The weekly classes and cohort model met my need for face-to-face interaction and shared learning experiences. The online class meeting format provided me the ability to be “in class” from anywhere as well. Being that I do not live near CSP Global, the distance learning provided flexibility for me to attend, regardless of where I was.

What skills did you gain or sharpen through your program at CSP Global, and how do you use them today?

Through the program at CSP Global, I was able to build upon my writing and research skills. After taking time away from my own educational progress to focus solely on teaching, I needed to refresh my skills being a student. The program through CSP Global helped me to harness those skills once again and helped me to develop technical writing for my future writing and educational goals. While class content was focused on various topics to support reading instruction, there was built-in support for academic writing as well.

How has your reading endorsement impacted you in terms of your current position or a position you’d like to attain in the future?

The reading endorsement program has helped me to become a better reading teacher. Prior to entering the program, I felt inadequate in determining specific reading needs of my students. The reading endorsement program covered a wide range of topics surrounding reading instruction, from looking at various philosophies of teaching reading to strategies for supporting students learning needs to supporting colleagues for school wide reading improvement. The reading endorsement program enabled me to feel more confident not only in my reading instruction, but in my understanding of my students’ needs and the improvement of my overall reading instruction.

What was a challenge you faced during your reading endorsement program, and who or what helped you overcome it?

My biggest challenge during the reading endorsement program was time management. I had to ensure that I was providing myself an adequate amount of time for completing the required weekly reading early enough to complete the posts on Blackboard. Along with the weekly posts there were also assignments throughout the class. To complete these on time, I needed to plan ahead and block off enough time in my schedule for longer writing periods. Managing my time was a challenge at first, but it became more manageable once it became a part of my weekly schedule and became a habit. It helped me to block schedule my week and schedule time in my calendar to devote to my work and stick by that schedule.

What was the biggest takeaway from your reading endorsement program?

I feel more prepared to teach reading after the reading endorsement program than I did before. My biggest takeaway from the program was the amount of reading instruction knowledge that aligned with my current role. I believe there are pieces of my learning that I use on a daily basis in my current position. The required reading was extremely insightful and supportive of my teaching development. Through the readings I learned of knowledgeable educational leaders who have researched and developed reading philosophies that I have adopted into my own classroom and continued to push my thinking in terms of supporting students.

What would you tell (or what advice would you give) prospective students considering the reading endorsement program at CSP Global?

To be successful in this program, I would advise knowing ahead of time that one is able to commit a considerable amount of time to reading the required materials and completing the assignments. Whenever one enters a professional learning opportunity, they will get what they put in. Along with being able to commit, I advise that individuals view the opportunity as a means to bettering one’s reading instruction. While the university provides ample opportunities for learning and development, it does come down to the individual to make the program worth it for them.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I highly recommend the CSP Global reading endorsement program, especially for secondary language arts teachers and elementary teachers who teach reading. Even though it takes time and commitment, it is well worth it.

The post Alumni Spotlight: Ashlee Johnson, Reading Endorsement appeared first on CSP Global.