Jasper Elementary School and Ireland Elementary School Selected to Participate in Indiana Literacy Cadre

Jasper- Jasper Elementary School and Ireland Elementary School have been selected for the 2023 Literacy Cadre by the Indiana Department of Education. 

Supported by the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis and the Indiana Department of Education, the Indiana Literacy Cadre is working to help Indiana’s students read proficiently by the end of third grade. To achieve this mission, the Indiana Literacy Cadre develops and implements collaborative professional development for K-2 educators across the state based on the science of reading, a compilation of evidence-based research on reading, reading development, and reading instruction. 

Literacy Coaches will be hired at both Jasper Elementary School and Ireland Elementary School. The literacy instructional coaches will work to increase the quality and effectiveness of classroom instruction through observation and feedback, lesson-modeling, co-teaching, mentoring, and facilitating academic reflection. The coaches will assist in implementing a plan for targeted support using evidence-based literacy practices aligned with the Science of Reading to meet the needs of all students. GJCS plans to hire from within for this position. 

“High quality reading instruction is essential for all students to be successful in school and beyond.  Our participation in the Indiana Literacy Cadre will help us to prioritize the most effective instructional practices in reading that ensure all students can transition from ‘learning to read’ to ‘reading to learn’” noted GJCS Superintendent, Dr. Tracy Lorey. 

Tina Fawks, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment said, “Literacy is the foundation of a child's entire educational journey. Through our participation in the Literacy Cadre, we will continue to prioritize early literacy to ensure each GJCS student's foundation is strong.  We can also further support the work of our elementary teachers and ensure the delivery of high quality reading instruction.  We are very excited to have been selected to participate in the Literacy Cadre”.