Erik Lepis taught in suburban New York where his reading and writing workshop classroom served as a visitation site for teachers across the district and across Long Island as a model for literacy instruction. Erik later joined the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project as a staff developer where he worked in schools nationally, providing literacy support and training -- helping teachers implement reading and writing workshops in their classrooms. Through his national and international consulting work, he works closely with building and district leaders in helping administrators lead school-wide change and raising student achievement through the teaching of reading and writing. 

In this workshop, participants will explore how much of what we fight for and against are often grounded in misconceptions or lack of understanding. Rather than see the teaching of reading as an all-or-nothing, one-size-fits-all approach, perhaps we can work together in reaching a common goal —teaching all students how to read.  This session’s conversation aims to help teachers and administrators create a space for teaching where science, research, rigor, and joy reside in the teaching of reading.