Teachers Honored for Leadership in Reading
November 11, 2005
Jill Norman, Linda Toren, and Sara Valentine display awards received from CRLP Director Mary Ann Boyer for their leadership in reading instruction.
SACRAMENTO, CA –Linda Toren, Jill Norman, and Sara Valentine, recently received 2005 Teacher Leadership Awards in the field of Reading and Literature. The awards, presented by the California Subject Matter Projects, recognize outstanding leadership in teacher education and school improvement efforts.
Ms. Toren currently teaches third grade at West Point Elementary School, but she has worked on a number of literacy projects for Calaveras Unified over the years. Through her involvement in the California Reading and Literature Project, she continues to influence teacher education throughout the region.
Since 1990, Toren has assisted other teachers as a colleague, mentor, and trainer. She has collaborated on curriculum, assessment, and textbook adoptions in her district. She has worked on similar projects at the statewide level, promoting teacher education and support within state initiatives and programs. With her broad knowledge of children’s literature, she was invited to help develop the California Recommended Literature List. During fifteen years with the California Reading and Literature Project (CRLP), Toren served as a Teacher Leader, Institute Director, Regional Director, and Statewide Associate Director. In these roles, she provided advanced educational opportunities for hundreds of Central California classroom teachers.
Toren has been instrumental in the development and delivery of many important literacy programs. She has offered workshops on reading instruction, writing strategies, and classroom lesson designs that address diverse student needs. As a part-time faculty member at CSU Stanislaus, she taught courses that helped new teachers understand how to teach reading and language arts. She also contributed to the development of CRLP‘s Reading RESULTS program, a source of personal satisfaction for Toren. “I think the one thing that has made the greatest difference for me, and for teachers around the state, is Reading RESULTS. Inspired by Lynda Peddy’s vision, many classroom teachers gave their time and expertise to develop and refine a wonderful set of reading assessments that can help teachers plan effective day-to-day instruction,” says Toren.
Jill Norman and Sara Valentine both work at Crowell Elementary School in Turlock. Ms. Norman currently teaches fourth grade, and Ms. Valentine works as a reading specialist. Both teachers are active in the California Reading and Literature Project, and the two have been instrumental in the development and delivery of many important efforts to improve the teaching of reading.
Since 1995, Jill Norman has presented workshops to help teachers learn new strategies to teach and assess reading. She organized early literacy inservice training and professional development institutes for her district. From 1997-2000, she served as coordinator for the California Professional Development Institute: Reading Results Model, where she shared her expertise with teachers throughout the region.
Sara Valentine has also presented workshops and trainings in her district. Since 1997, she has served as a lead teacher for “Reading Results,” and has provided training for teachers from Merced to Stockton. Since 2004, she has served as a consultant for the “Read Naturally” approach, and many teachers from other districts travel to observe instructional methods in reading lab.
The award-winning teachers credit the the quality of their own training for their desire to share knowledge with others. “The California Reading & Literature Project played an instrumental role in shaping me as a teacher,” says Valentine. Ms. Norman agrees, and adds, “Providing all teachers with high quality professional development is the key to making every child a reader.” Educators interested in setting up visits or consultations with any of these teachers may call the California Reading and Literature Project in ∗ CSU Sacramento at (916) 278-5876.
(∗ "CSU Sacramento" is now called Sacramento State.)