Matteson, IL – Building on its success in literacy development, Rich Township High School is delighted to announce the ongoing collaboration with WestEd in the implementation of the Reading Apprenticeship Program, a cornerstone of the school’s strategy to elevate student reading comprehension and empower educators with effective instructional strategies.
The school’s sustained partnership is set to benefit around 70 teachers and 6 administrators through a comprehensive yearlong learning process comprising five full days of professional development workshops and an additional seven days of personalized on-site coaching.
Superintendent Dr. Johnnie Thomas expresses deep appreciation for the unwavering support that has made this initiative a reality, "We are immensely grateful for the Board of Education’s support. Their commitment to our literacy goals has been pivotal in providing our students with additional exposure to text and comprehension strategies through the Reading Apprenticeship Program. This is more than an academic program; it's a community effort to ignite a transformative journey for our students and teachers alike."
The Reading Apprenticeship framework is built upon four foundational dimensions:
● The Social Dimension – Creating an engaging environment that promotes interactive learning and intellectual risk-taking.
● The Personal Dimension – Motivating students to explore their own perceptions and goals around reading.
● The Cognitive Dimension – Empowering students with actionable strategies for navigating complex texts across various subjects.
● The Knowledge-Building Dimension – Deepening students' content knowledge and their ability to participate in meaningful academic discourse.
Dr. Kevin Gallick, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, speaks to the culture of innovation among the faculty, “The program has sparked an exciting wave of collaboration, particularly among our 9th-grade teachers and within the social studies department. Educators are not only applying new strategies but are also actively exchanging insights, which is immensely beneficial for our students’ literacy development."
The Reading Apprenticeship Program has been instrumental in fostering a thriving educational community where literacy is the heartbeat of learning. The continued partnership with WestEd demonstrates Rich Township High School’s dedication to maintaining a standard of excellence in education that prepares students for a lifetime of success.