Spring 2010 Potomac Term - Potomac School

…Writing
Janice Michaels’ third grade has just
ignited Friday Assembly with infomercials
“selling” the books they
have carefully written and constructed to
their Lower School classmates, teachers
and parents. “Everything you ever wanted
to know about soccer for only $9.99!”
announces Garrett. “You can become an
expert on guinea pigs!” says Kristen.
Back in the classroom Whitney Bowen
speaks with confidence about how she
learned about the process of writing by
developing her nonfiction book on the
human body. “You should write about
LS Teachers Take Custom Literacy Course
The Potomac School both encourages and
expects its faculty and staff to continue to
grow professionally. The Lower School has a
comprehensive multi-tiered long-range professional
development plan aimed at honing skills around a
common language of understanding in early childhood
education and best practices. Part of that plan included
sending the kindergarten team to a graduate-level
course in reading development at the University of
Virginia (UVA). But with interest high among other
members of the faculty as well, the decision was made to
bring the course to campus instead. “It was a wonderful
opportunity to solidify the integration of the teaching of
reading across classes and grades,” says Nancy Powell, LS
reading and language arts specialist.
The UVA instructor was able to design a custom
course for Potomac, creating an on-site workshop
tailored to Potomac’s classrooms and resources. The
eleven participating faculty members ranged in teaching
experience from one to 20 years.
Potomac provided substitutes for the first two sessions
of the course so that teachers could participate in the
workshop during working hours. The remaining four
sessions were held after school. Teachers were able to
practice in class between sessions, sharing ideas and
collaborating on each classroom’s literacy work station.
“We really strengthened our team for literacy,” says Powell.
Powell herself knows the power of lifelong learning.
An elementary school teacher for 20 years, 11 of them
at Potomac, Powell recently completed her Master’s
in reading education at the University of Virginia with
financial help from Potomac. She has also attended
“Schools Attuned” with Dr. Mel Levine at the University
of North Carolina, spent three summers at Columbia
University’s Reading and Writing Project with Lucy
Calkins, and attended numerous workshops, seminars,
and trainings. “You really are never finished learning,”
she says.
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