Keys to Literacy

08/18/2026

Huge thanks to the teachers of Comal ISD (TX) who spent three days completing KBR CF training with Keys to Literacy — before the school year had even started.

Alongside that, Keys to Literacy trainers Donna and Amy led two additional cohorts through two days of Early Literacy training, meaning dozens of Comal educators walked into the new year with new tools for the classroom.

What made it even better: these teachers chose to be there. They showed up for Comal U, the district's voluntary professional development program, on their own time, before a single student walked through the door. That says a lot about how much they care about getting literacy instruction right.

Keys to Literacy was also glad to have Liz Mangus, the relationship manager for this account, on site for a full day of training.

Grateful for partners like Comal ISD who invest in their teachers this way. Here's to a great year ahead!

08/07/2026

We're excited to have Doug Lemov — author of the international bestseller Teach Like a Champion — joining us for the Alaska DEED Write Now Conference on August 10!

Doug's session, "Three Types of Writing to Support Stronger Reading," dives into short, intentional writing exercises that build stronger reading comprehension — including two powerful, easy-to-use techniques that are frequently overlooked in classrooms.

Doug's newest book, Teach Like a Champion Guide to the Science of Reading (co-written with Colleen Driggs and Erica Woolway), lays out seven research-backed principles for developing strong readers in grades 3–12. Now he's bringing that thinking to Alaska educators — free and virtual.

📅 August 10, 2026 💻 Virtual — PreK–12 Alaska educators welcome 🎟️ Register: keystoliteracy.com/alaska-deed-write-now

08/03/2026

Writing is more than a way for students to show what they know.

It's how they develop ideas, strengthen comprehension, and think critically across every subject. And yet writing often receives less instructional time — and less explicit instruction — than reading.

Joan Sedita, founder of Keys to Literacy, breaks down what effective writing instruction actually looks like in a new guide published today with K12 Coalition.

At the center is The Writing Rope — five interconnected strands that skilled writers develop together: Critical Thinking, Syntax, Text Structure, Writing Craft, and Transcription.

A few things worth sitting with from the guide:

Simply assigning more writing is not enough. Students improve when they receive explicit instruction in the strategies, structures, and processes that skilled writers use — not just more opportunities to produce text.

Reading and writing draw on many of the same cognitive processes. Teaching them in isolation misses a meaningful opportunity to strengthen both.

And as AI continues to change how people create and communicate, effective writing instruction isn't becoming less important. It's becoming more essential than ever.
The full guide is worth reading — and sharing with your team.

Read it here: https://k12coalition.com/educator-insights/the-essentials-of-effective-writing-instruction-a-guide-for-educators/

Explore evidence-based writing instruction, the five strands of The Writing Rope, and practical strategies for strengthening student writing across every grade and subject.

07/29/2026

For school leaders: what does it actually take to shift writing instruction at scale?

Pati Montgomery, Senior Education Officer at Keys to Literacy and author of It's Possible: A Leadership Plan for Implementing Quality Reading Instruction, and Lisa Klein, VP of Relationship Management, are presenting at Alaska DEED Write Now.

Their session: ""It's Possible: Leading the Shift to Effective Writing Instruction""

This session is for principals, curriculum directors, and instructional coaches who are ready to move from knowing what good writing instruction looks like to actually making it happen — for teachers, and for students.

Free registration: keystoliteracy.com/alaska-deed-write-now

07/27/2026

Handwriting is foundational to literacy. Not a bonus. The foundation.

Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift, Professional Learning Director at Learning Without Tears and host of the Literacy Matters podcast, is joining Alaska DEED Write Now on August 10.

Her session: ""The Science of Handwriting: Where Reading, Writing and Learning Connect""

When students write by hand, they activate the parts of the brain that support thinking, language, and memory. Dr. Swift will explore exactly how handwriting fits within the science of reading and writing — and how to integrate it into core literacy instruction for every learner.

Free registration: keystoliteracy.com/alaska-deed-write-now

07/23/2026

What did it actually take to strengthen literacy coursework from the inside?

Jenn Weller-Lynady, Director of Graduate Literacy Programs at Arcadia University, will share her honest experience of reviewing, revising, and enhancing literacy coursework within her program.

Her session: ""Strengthening Literacy Coursework: Reflections and Lessons Learned""

Jenn will discuss what guided the revisions, how she selected high-quality instructional resources, and the lessons learned along the way — including how to navigate this work with purpose and confidence when the path isn't always clear.

30 years of teaching and leadership. Real talk about what it takes.

August 5 | KTL Higher Education Summit | $39

keystoliteracy.com/keys-to-literacy-higher-education-summit

07/23/2026

Middle and high school educators — syntax is about to make a lot more sense.

Dr. Michelle Elia, Assistant Professor at Marietta College and President of The Reading League – Ohio, is presenting at Alaska DEED Write Now on August 10.

Her session: ""Syntax, a Multi-Tool for Reading Comprehension and Writing in Grades 5–12""

Syntax must be explicitly taught — and it matters for both reading and writing. Dr. Elia will show you how to teach it systematically, starting with the clause, focusing on the function of words in sentences — not memorizing parts of speech.

For any educator working with upper-grade struggling readers and writers, this is essential.

Free registration: keystoliteracy.com/alaska-deed-write-now

07/21/2026

How do you build a program where research and classroom practice actually connect?

Dr. Lori Severino, Director of the ALLIED Hub at Drexel University, will share how educator preparation programs can create cohesive, evidence-aligned experiences across field placements, student teaching, and clinical partnerships.

Her session: ""Building the Bridge: Strengthening Educator Preparation Through Evidence-Aligned Literacy Instruction and Clinical Practice""

Dr. Severino will introduce the ALLIED Hub and its resources, discuss the critical role of faculty collaboration in sustainable program improvement, and offer practical strategies institutions can act on immediately — whether you're beginning this work or deepening it.

August 5 | KTL Higher Education Summit | $39

keystoliteracy.com/keys-to-literacy-higher-education-summit

07/20/2026

Syntax instruction in the early grades — it's more practical than you think.

Carla Burrell Stanford, Director of Instructional Design at Reading Universe, and Shauna Cotte, VP at Keys to Literacy, are co-presenting at Alaska DEED Write Now on August 10.

Their session: ""Sentence Sense: Practical Strategies for Teaching Syntax Skills in the Early Grades (K–4)""

Syntax is one of the most powerful — and most overlooked — keys to reading comprehension and writing success. This session shows how sentence-level skills built in the early grades pay dividends for readers and writers all the way up.

Ready-to-use strategies. Integrates with existing curriculum. Built for K–4 classrooms.

Free registration: keystoliteracy.com/alaska-deed-write-now

07/17/2026

What does it actually look like to revise literacy coursework with purpose?

Maria Pernaci, adjunct professor at Arcadia University and co-founder of Learn Local, will share her program's process of evaluating literacy coursework, identifying gaps, and making thoughtful decisions to strengthen teacher preparation.

Her session: ""Bridging Theory and Practice: Strengthening Literacy Preparation Through Authentic Application""

Maria will discuss selecting high-quality resources, embedding authentic practice and teaching simulations, and helping teacher candidates move beyond understanding evidence-aligned practices to confidently demonstrating them in real classrooms.

Practical. Practitioner-grounded. Built for the realities of educator preparation.

August 5 | KTL Higher Education Summit | $39

keystoliteracy.com/keys-to-literacy-higher-education-summit