105. From Imposter Syndrome to Impact: A Literacy Coach’s Journey & the Power of SRSD for Writing Instruction with Leah Ruesink
Transitioning from classroom teacher to literacy coach is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. How do you build trust? Support veteran teachers? Know when to offer advice…and when to simply listen?
Today’s episode is part Coaching Conversation, as literacy coach Leah Ruesink shares about her transition to coach and what coaching really looks like behind the scenes. Leah shares some lessons she’s learned along the way, including how to build meaningful relationships, navigate imposter syndrome, and support teachers through instructional change.
Then the conversation shifts into one of Leah’s greatest passions: writing instruction. Leah introduces listeners to Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD), an evidence-based writing framework that explicitly teaches students how to plan, organize, and write – all while regulating themselves throughout the writing process.
So, while this episode speaks directly to a literacy coach’s heart, classroom teachers will walk away with some really practical ideas and valuable insights for explicitly teaching writing in your classrooms.
Resources Mentioned:
- Leah Ruesink’s Literacy Coaching Hub
- Book: The Impact Cycle by Jim Knight
- Book: Better Conversations by Jim Knight
- SRSD – Self-Regulated Strategy Development
- Releasing Writers (Formerly Think SRSD)
- Releasing Writers Facebook Page
- Book: Executive Skills and Writing Instruction by Dr. Leslie Laud
- Book: Rock Your Literacy Block by Lindsay Kemeny
- TIDE chant and writing routines
- Book: The Writing Rope by Joan Sedita
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Connect with Leah Ruesink:
- Instagram: @theearlyliteracycoach
- TikTok: @theearlyliteracycoach
- Literacy Coaching Hub
- Leah’s Stan.Store
This podcast is brought to you by Reading Science Academy, where our friend Stephanie Stollar is giving Literacy in Color listeners an exclusive, free grouping resource bundle to help you turn fall screening data into skill-based groups that actually move students forward.
Get your FREE grouping resource bundle here.
Or, become a member of Reading Science Academy to learn in community and receive research-backed support alongside over 1,400 literacy educators.
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