Get to Know Me
by Beth Countryman
Welcome to Title I Reading
Title I Reading is a special place where children get the extra practice, support, and instruction needed to reach their reading goals. I have been teaching reading for over twenty years and I still get thrill every time I see a child's eyes light up with the spark that says, "I can read that!" It is my job to ensure that all of our kindergarten, first, and second grade students get to experience this moment.
I provide reading services in a variety of ways. One important part of my instructional services is teaching a whole class phonics lesson in each grade level on a weekly basis. This helps all of our students learn essential phonics skills and helps to ensure that all of students have a common knowledge about letters and sounds.
Another facet of my instructional services is providing small group instruction to students who need extra support. These small groups meet with me twice daily; once during their regularly scheduled Guided Reading period for thirty minutes and again during a twenty-minute extra practice session. These small group sessions are carefully scheduled to ensure that a child doesn't miss important math or writing instruction with their classroom teacher.
Another exciting part of my job is working as a team member to implement Response to Intervention at Girard Schools. As a part of this team, I participate in benchmark testing in the fall, winter, and spring. I work with grade level teams to brainstorm and implement interventions to make a real difference for students who seem to be struggling with reading. I also work hard to monitor student progress to ensure that what we're doing with our students is really helping them to improve.
I love Girard Schools for the wonderful sense of family and community in our school atmosphere. It is truly a special place where adults and students support one another. Teaching students to love reading in this school has been one of the most satisfying pleasures in my life.
