English Teachers Share Strategies in Campus Workshop
Two area English high school teachers, one a Buffalo State alumna, will visit campus on Thursday, April 18, to share a unique approach to teaching reading and writing.
Lisa Feyes,’06 (pictured above, at left), and Heather Paolucci will present the “Fostering Student Learning Through Readers and Writers Workshop” at 12:15 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center West 2 as part of the Western New York Network of English Teachers (WNYNET) 2012-2013 Speaker Series.
Jim Cercone, assistant professor of English education who co-founded the network with former students, invited the two Sweet Home High School English teachers to discuss an innovative method of connecting students with literature. Instead of reading one book as a class, this approach, steeped in 30 years of research, allows students to pick their own books and use the classroom as a writers’ workshop.
The teachers' presentation will explore the theory and rationale behind this approach, its influence on student-learning, and practical strategies for implementation. Participants will see examples of student work and sample units of instruction, lessons, and formative assessments. The presenters also will cover how to address common core learning standards and other state and federal mandates, Cercone said.
Cercone started WNYNET as a support network for local English teachers after hearing former students say they missed talking about education and sharing information with peers.
“It’s a tough time in education across the board,” Cercone said. “Teachers are under enormous pressure with state tests. We feel like this professional community is very important and needs to be supported by educational programs.”
This marks the third workshop that WNYNET has held at Buffalo State. It is free and open to the public. For more information, call (716) 878-5419.
About the presenters
Lisa Feyes earned her bachelor’s degree in English education from Buffalo State and her master’s degree in English education from the University at Buffalo. For the past seven years, she has taught English at Sweet Home High School. She currently teaches world literature and AP English literature and composition.
Heather Paolucci is in her seventh year at Sweet Home High School where she teaches ninth- and 12th-grade English and English 12 Academic Instructional Support (AIS). She holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Le Moyne College in Syracuse and a master’s degree in English education from the University at Buffalo.