Case Study | Demi Aguirre | ELA Support Coordinator | LAUSD

A note from Renee

When I think back to the first time I met Demi, I have a vivid memory of sitting in her classroom filled with third graders buzzing about their reading and writing! Demi, a thoughtful, studious, inquisitive third-grade teacher, and me, a staff developer from the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project—back together in different roles all these years later.

Demi remains a thinking partner who appreciates rolling up her sleeves and leaning into the study of her teaching craft, so much that it often inspires those around her to do the same.

I lean on Demi to connect the dots, ask questions, and think critically about the art of teaching. As a classroom teacher, a coach, a principal, and now a coordinator, I’m honored and privileged to have Demi as a Thinking Partner who appreciates the constant evolution of state-of-the-art teaching practices.

Testimonial

“I consider Renee Houser someone I can continuously lean on as a thought partner. She helps me feel more confident, keeps me student-centered, and encourages me to be a lifelong learner.”

The Story

Demi started teaching fifth grade full-time in 1998 in Harbor City, LA. After substitute teaching for a few years, she began teaching third grade at Park Western Elementary School for nearly a decade. At Park Western, she grew her teaching practice tremendously thanks to thoughtful and passionate colleagues. Park Western had huge academic success due to strong leadership and implementation of balanced literacy practices.

Demi worked in administration for the next ten years as a literacy coach, assistant principal, and principal. She is now the ELA Support Coordinator for the San Pedro Community of Schools in San Pedro, CA. She considers her role a great honor and pleasure to support instruction in San Pedro, because the science of teaching and learning is her passion.

Renee and Demi first worked together at Park Western Elementary School in San Pedro, CA where Renee served as the staff developer from the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. Renee taught them the value of tapping into student work and processes to determine strengths, next steps, and overall curriculum decisions.

Renee also supported staff development during Demi’s time as an assistant principal. Because of their previous relationship, Demi was familiar with Renee’s work and recognized its value, and therefore, requested her services for the San Pedro Community of Schools. Renee works with several of the schools, supports teachers new to the work of balanced literacy, supports lead teacher collaboration, and supports principal collaboration.

The Challenge

The challenge educators face in 2022 is two-fold.

First, there is a need for reading recovery because many students are striving to work towards their grade level. Unfortunately, this is largely due to the pandemic.

Second, teachers have been inundated with multiple forms of professional development over the years, but there still seems to be a lot of variability in practice and implementation.

Teachers need more time and resources to execute researched-based techniques. The team supporting educators of the San Pedro Community of schools are thinking through better support systems, working towards aligning common goals, measurements, and methodology.

With Renee as one of their thinking partners, they are working together to create effective systems of study for teachers that center teacher voice—just like in the classroom where students’ voices are the focus.

The Change

This is ongoing work, but as a result of working with Renee, there is a shift in mindsets in students, teachers, and principals.

Teachers are working together to build a culture of literacy. Classroom libraries are becoming more diverse and organized by topics, themes, and social issues. Teaching is becoming more student-centered.

All of this is propelling student engagement in reading and writing, and engagement is the foundation of practice, and practice fuels learning, resulting in academic success.

Need a thinking partner?

If you want to see results like Demi’s, Renee is here to help you read, write, and think your way through with free training exercises and articles to level up your teaching game. Get in touch!