Garden City educators share literacy practices at Molloy University conference

On Oct. 16, Garden City Public Schools was well represented at the second Molloy University Literacy Conference. The conference, which selected this year’s theme as “Embracing Literacy Practices in All Disciplines, PreK–20: Past, Present, and Future,” brought together educators from across Long Island to share research-based practices and explore effective approaches to literacy instruction across grade levels and content areas.

Organized by Dr. Vicky Giouroukakis, associate dean and professor at Molloy University, alongside the ELA Advisory Board and Literacy Conference Planning Committee, the event offered a day of professional learning and collaboration. Garden City high school English teacher Laurie Bocca and Stratford Avenue School reading specialist Kristin Rochford also served on the planning committee.

Garden City educators led four workshops, sharing practical instructional strategies with colleagues from across the region. Lauren Kaufman, director of literacy K–12, presented “Personalizing Learning at Every Level Through Literacy Across Content Areas.” Her interactive session explored differentiation, demonstrating how educators can adjust content, process and product while maintaining common learning goals. Participants discussed personalizing learning through reading, writing, speaking, listening, thinking and reasoning across disciplines.

District literacy coaches Destiny Braddick and Kristy Solomon presented “Small Groups, Big Gains: A District Approach to Unlocking Literacy Through Targeted Instruction.” They highlighted evidence-based practices and sustainable structures for small-group instruction, including purposeful routines, literacy centers and existing resources to identify student needs and provide targeted support.

Kristin Rochford presented “Turning the Page for Your Next Chapter: From Classroom Teacher to Reading Specialist.” Drawing on her professional journey, she shared insights into transitioning to literacy specialization, along with strategies for identifying student needs, forming purposeful small groups and making targeted reading instruction engaging and effective.

Laurie Bocca presented “Curing the Poetry Plague: Teaching Poetry with Strategic Love.” Her session encouraged educators to rethink poetry instruction by emphasizing community, emotion and personal connection. Bocca shared strategies for making poetry a meaningful and joyful part of learning rather than an isolated unit of study.

Several additional Garden City educators attended workshops on research-based literacy instruction and strategies to bring back to their classrooms.

“It was a wonderful day of learning that brought educators from across Long Island together to share ideas, learn from one another, and reflect on our practices,” said Kaufman. “These opportunities allow us to bring new perspectives back to our schools while also sharing the meaningful work happening in our own classrooms. When we learn with and from one another, we strengthen the experiences we create for the students and communities we serve.”

The conference highlighted Garden City educators’ expertise and commitment to continued professional learning, collaboration and literacy development across disciplines.