An update from Rebecca L. Brooks

Hellllooooo my London Loves.

You all seriously amaze me with all of the fantastic things you are all doing around the state, country, and world.  I'm so proud of all of us and the steps we've taken towards our future! Seriously....we're so cool.

SOOO here is my update.  I recently took a job with a new literacy initiative funded by our beloved UConn (you may have all gotten the email a few weeks ago about it from Neag...).  With Governor Malloy's reform bill (guhhhhh leadership class...) lots of changes were made to education in CT, and with lots of changes came lots and lots of grant $$$$$.  One grant fronted by UConn is the Connecticut K-3 Literacy Initiative which is working with 5 schools in urban centers throughout CT each which failed to meet annual yearly progress especially in literacy.  We will be going into the schools and helping students using SRBI methods while also working with teachers to help the schools create self-sustaining intervention programs.  The job includes all SORTS of professional development and tons of connections with educational game changers throughout the state (ie the State Dept. of Ed., UConn, superintendents, literacy coaches, etc.), gives me the opportunity to hang out at UConn a bunch, and not to mention is paying me QUITE nicely :)

So as sad and kind of defeated I was after not landing a classroom job this year, I am now back into believing that all things happen for a reason because this is an incredible opportunity that I am SO excited to be a part of. I'll keep you all updated on the progress of the initiative and will definitely share some of the things that I learn/use so you can try them in your classrooms!

Oh, and you all need to come visit Kate and I in Hartford...we need friends. Well, Kate doesn't, but I do.

LOVE YOU ALL and am so proud of everything that you're all doing!