Smekens Education Solutions, Inc.

Smekens Education Solutions, Inc. We help teachers thrive with simple and effective strategies for teaching reading and writing. To learn more visit Smekens online at www.SmekensEducation.com.

Smekens Education Solutions supports K-12 educators with practical and engaging professional development focused on improving instruction and achievement in reading and writing. Through customized on-site consultations, remote coaching, and a wide range of virtual and on-demand professional learning, Smekens equips teachers with researched-based strategies that are simple and effective.

08/25/2026

Teaching writing shouldn’t have to feel this hard.

So many teachers were never taught how to teach writing in a way that’s clear, intentional, and manageable. And that means you’re often working way harder than you need to.

Kristina wants to help change that.

Join her Sept. 2 for our Six Traits of Writing virtual workshop and leave with practical mini-lessons and a shared language for helping students become stronger writers.

🔗 Learn more and register: https://www.smekenseducation.com/six-traits-of-writing-virtual-workshop/

08/24/2026

👀 Your students can see what you're doing…
🧠 But can they hear how you're thinking?

That's the difference between modeling and a Think-Aloud.

If you want students to actually transfer a literacy skill to their own reading and writing, you have to make your thinking visible—not just your actions.

Watch this full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msWdR2nMAg4

📍St. John XXIII - Middletown, OHSmekens Literacy Consultant Holly Sluyter had a great day of nitty-gritty work with the ...
08/20/2026

📍St. John XXIII - Middletown, OH

Smekens Literacy Consultant Holly Sluyter had a great day of nitty-gritty work with the teachers at St. John XXIII!

After reviewing the Kickstart Writing lessons learned last year, they spent time actually prepping for these lessons with Holly by their side. Making stamina charts and "stuck on spelling" charts, picking out books to introduce each of the six traits, even making copies and cutting out resources. After such a productive day, these teachers will be ready to teach rich writing lessons right away!

This is our second year with St. John XIII and we love working with this passionate, motivated group. Here's to a great year!

08/18/2026

Imagine starting the school year excited to teach writing—and knowing what to teach, when to teach it, how to teach it, and why it works.

That’s the confidence Kristina wants you to walk away with.

Join her Sept. 2 for our Six Traits of Writing virtual workshop and leave with practical mini-lessons and a shared language for helping students become stronger writers.

🔗 Learn more and register: https://www.smekenseducation.com/six-traits-of-writing-virtual-workshop/

08/14/2026

Don’t wait until October to realize your writing instruction isn’t working.
Start the year by putting the right routines, language, and instruction in place from the beginning.

Join Kristina Sept. 2 for our Six Traits of Writing virtual workshop and leave with practical mini-lessons and a shared language for helping students become stronger writers.

🔗 Learn more and register: https://www.smekenseducation.com/six-traits-of-writing-virtual-workshop/

📍 Holy Family Catholic School - South Bend, INSmekens Literacy Consultant Holly Sluyter was in South Bend earlier this w...
08/13/2026

📍 Holy Family Catholic School - South Bend, IN
Smekens Literacy Consultant Holly Sluyter was in South Bend earlier this week working with teachers at Holy Family Catholic School!

These K-8 ELA teachers were committed to leveling up their skills for teaching informative and persuasive writing essentials. Despite tornado sirens going off, losing power, and sheltering in place briefly, these Holy Family teachers were dialed in!

08/12/2026

Kristina knows how overwhelming writing instruction can feel at the start of a new school year—and she’s here to help make the path forward clearer.

Join her Sept. 2 for our Six Traits of Writing virtual workshop and leave with practical mini-lessons and a shared language for helping students become stronger writers.

🔗 Learn more and register: https://www.smekenseducation.com/six-traits-of-writing-virtual-workshop/

08/06/2026

If your students fall apart during the YOU DO, don't start by changing the YOU DO. Start with the I DO. 👀

A strong Think-Aloud gives students the blueprint they need before they're ever expected to practice independently.

The Gradual Release only works when each step sets up the next:
➡️ I DO: Explicit modeling
➡️ WE DO: Guided practice
➡️ YOU DO: Independent success

If your independent practice isn't going the way you hoped, this might be the missing piece.
Check out this full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYaWr7i13g4

Kristina spent the last two days working with elementary and secondary teachers at Tyler ISD in Tyler, TX. The focus of ...
08/06/2026

Kristina spent the last two days working with elementary and secondary teachers at Tyler ISD in Tyler, TX. The focus of this time was honing in on reading comprehension and writing strategies designed to help students succeed on the STAAR assessment.

These educators were engaged from start to finish and are eager to put new ideas into practice as they launch the school year.

The team at Tyler has built a strong culture of professional learning, and their incredible hospitality made our two days together even more enjoyable!

Good writing isn't a mystery when everyone shares the same language.Join us for Six Traits of Writing and learn how to t...
08/01/2026

Good writing isn't a mystery when everyone shares the same language.

Join us for Six Traits of Writing and learn how to teach the traits explicitly so students know exactly what makes writing effective—and what to do to improve it.

This virtual, interactive workshop will leave you with the language, mini-lessons, and confidence to make writing instruction and feedback more meaningful from day one.

🗓️ Live September 2nd (or watch on demand whenever it works for you).

Learn more and register: https://www.smekenseducation.com/six-traits-of-writing-virtual-workshop/

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123 E 1st Street
Warren, IN
46792

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Monday 8am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8am - 5:30pm
Friday 8am - 5:30pm

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