By Valerie Chernek, Education Writer for Learning Ally
Elizabeth Hauser and Kathryn Young
On March 9, 2018 at Grayslake North High School District 127, Illinois, students, and faculty were buzzing with excitement and cheers as their basketball team brought victory to the school and as two of their teachers received Learning Ally’s prestigious 2018 Winslow Coyne Reitnouer Excellence in Teaching Award.
The Winslow Coyne Reitnouer Excellence in Teaching Award...
honors teachers on the leading edge of best practices to ensure that more students with print disabilities succeed in mainstream education. The award is made possible by generous support of a longtime friend of Learning Ally, Winnie Reitnouer, who is a champion for innovative teachers and academic success for students who learn differently.
Grayslake’s Katherine Young, a Speech and Language Pathologist and Elizabeth Hauser, a Learning and Reading Specialist, were selected for their ongoing collaboration to help more students reach new levels of academic achievement, learning confidence and reading independence. Neither Kathryn nor Elizabeth were aware of this national recognition that included cash rewards of $1500 for each teacher and a $4000 check for their high school.
Dr. James Roscoe, Principal of Grayslake North High School said, “I want to be the first to congratulate Kat and Elizabeth for their outstanding work. These teachers are two of the most extraordinary educators I have known in my 24+ years in education. Kat and Lizzie are relentless in their pursuit of strategies and resources to support student learning. For them it is not just about teaching the skills of reading; it is about developing the joy of learning that students carry with them for the rest of their lives. They found great success through the Learning Ally audiobook library, which has created pathways for students to pursue a love of reading.”
Transforming Struggling Readers Into High Level Achievers
Nonprofit Learning Ally works with U.S. K-12 schools and districts to enhance struggling students’ reading comprehension, fluency, critical thinking and vocabulary skills. The reading solution is designed to support students with learning and print disabilities in any instructional model. Educators can access Learning Ally’s digital library 24/7 to find the books they need for school and student’s personal reading interests. Today, there are 80,000 human-read novels, literature and K-12 textbooks that align with many states’ core curriculum. Teachers can easily measure accountability using a suite of data-driven tools. They enjoy Learning Ally's year-round creative reading competitions and award programs to keep their students reading and thriving.
Terrie Noland, Learning Ally’s National Director of Education Engagement, presented the award to the teachers. She said, “Kathryn and Elizabeth are true leaders in their field. They know that kids learn differently and require material to be presented in multisensory ways. Our human-read audiobooks enable students to comprehend more information on grade level, especially when the text is complex and incredibly difficult for students with print disabilities to read it in print. We call this “ear-reading.”
Learning Ally receives hundreds of nominations of outstanding teachers each year who display extraordinary leadership skills and innovative teaching approaches. This award complements the organization’s National Achievement Awards given to outstanding students.
Criteria for the Winslow Coyne Reitnouer Excellence in Teaching Award includes:
- Impact on Student Learning and Advocacy for Students
- Professional Learning and Impact on Surrounding Educators, and
- Classroom Environment
Learning Ally recognizes other U.S. educators with cash awards in a top II tier category and a special recognition category in this annual excellence of teaching award program.
Nominations for the 2019 Awards are now open.
Learn more about all of Learning Ally’s awesome teacher-supported reading awards and activities to promote reading engagement for students throughout the year.
Educators will want to sign up for this Webinar...
College and Career Ready! Motivate and Empower Struggling Readers in High School
Elizabeth and Kathryn will discuss their ideas and teaching strategies on Wednesday, Apr. 11 at 3 p.m. EST to demonstrate how to channel motivation to increase literacy skills in struggling adolescent students.
In this no-cost webinar you will learn:
- Strategies and reading activities to bring back the joy of reading
- Various technologies and self-directed tools to support students in the classroom
- Student and parent perspectives and emotions about dyslexia and reading disabilities
- Tips to help students become skilled self-advocates
- Improved social, emotional and academic outcomes in high school students when given effective supports