Literacy

                                        Dr. Bridget Regan                                                     Dr. Kimberly Peters
                                 Literacy Coach Consultant                                             Literacy Coach Consultant

                                 Click Here for Bridget's Bio                                          Click Here for Kimberly's Bio

Building strong readers and writers starts here. Our resources provide guidance and tools for teachers, school leaders, and families to strengthen literacy skills. Explore Coaching, Professional Development, connect with Literacy Leaders, or dive into our rich collection of Literacy Resources from MDE Literacy. Together, we can inspire a love of learning and help every learner succeed.

• Coaching
• Professional Development
• Literacy Leaders
• Literacy Resources
• MDE Literacy

COPESD K-5 Literacy Coaching 

Educators often experience meaningful professional growth when they choose to engage in coaching—growth that ultimately benefits the students they serve. Literacy coaching is a widely recognized approach for strengthening instructional practice (Kraft, Blazar & Hogan, 2018; Knight, 2021; MDE, 2018) because it provides job-embedded support and sustained learning over time. 

Sometimes the idea of participating in a “coaching cycle” can feel like an added commitment. At COPESD, our coaching process is designed to be purposeful, supportive, and efficient. Coaches work alongside educators using focused strategies that prioritize student learning and success while respecting teachers’ time and expertise. 

Explore the MDE and COPESD Coaching Resources below to learn more about how coaching can support your practice.

MDE Supporting Resources

• MDE Early Literacy Coaching Model (2019)
• MDE Expanded PA 146 Coaching Model  (coming soon)

COPESD Resources

• COPESD Coaching Cycle
• What Coaching Is... What Coaching Is Not
• COPESD Coaching Menu
• Schedule a Meeting

Building Capacity Through Professional Learning

Ongoing professional learning is an important part of strengthening literacy instruction and supporting student success. As research, resources, and best practices continue to evolve, professional learning opportunities allow educators to deepen their knowledge, refine instructional strategies, and collaborate with colleagues. At COPESD, we are committed to providing meaningful learning experiences that help educators build confidence and capacity in literacy instruction. 

Click the flyers below for more information! 2026 Summer Learning is posted. 2026-2027 Professional Learning coming soon...

Small Groups, Big Results Book Study

Small Groups, Big Results by Julia B. Lindsey provides a research-based framework for Small Groups, Big Results by Julia B. Lindsey provides a research-based framework for rethinking and strengthening small-group reading instruction. Grounded in the Science of Reading, this book helps teachers in grades K–5 identify students’ specific “sticking points,” form purposeful groups, and plan targeted lessons that lead to measurable growth. With practical assessments, clear instructional routines, and actionable teaching moves—many of which can be implemented in as little as five minutes—this book offers a realistic and effective game plan for meeting the needs of every reader. 

Format: Asynchronous (participate on your own schedule) on Canvas
Materials Available: End of April
Study Timeline: May 1st- August 31st
Credit: Earn up to 6 SCECHs. 

Join us to strengthen your small-group instruction and turn research into meaningful results for students.  A free text will be provided for all participants. ***A free small group gift set will also be provided for the first 25 classroom teachers to sign up. The teacher must work directly with students in small groups.

Bookworms Professional Learning

Ready to strengthen your implementation of the Bookworms K–5 Reading and Writing Curriculum?  Join this flexible, self-paced professional learning opportunity designed specifically for Bookworms teachers. 

How It Works: 

• Hosted on the easy-to-use Sibme platform. 
• Short, 1-hour learning modules
• Learn through a mix of: Reading, Short videos, Reflection, and application activities. 
• Complete modules anytime, at your own pace!

Module 1: Sentence Composing 

Module 2: Written Response

Each module focuses on practical strategies you can use immediately in your classroom. Sign up today to deepen your Bookworms practice and strengthen student writing and comprehension!

Lexia LETRS Presented by MDE

As part of Public Act 144 of 2022, the Michigan Department of Education is providing evidence-based literacy instruction focused on the science of reading at no cost to eligible educators and administrators. 

The Michigan LETRS Science of Reading Professional Learning Course provides sustained and job-embedded science of reading professional development to support evidence-based reading instruction, improve grade-level reading proficiency, and close achievement gaps across the state. These impactful courses are based on Lexia® LETRS® (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) and Lexia® LETRS® for Early Childhood Educators. 

Sign up and join the 10,000+ educators and administrators across Michigan who have taken advantage of this opportunity to transform student literacy.

Cohort 13: Registration December 1, 2025 – April 12, 2026; Launches May 2026

Cohort 14: Registration April 13, 2026-August 30, 2026; Launches November 2026

2025-26 Professional Learning Opportunities

Upcoming 2026-27 Professional Learning Opportunities

Virtual UFLI Series

Join the University of Florida UFLI team for a three-part virtual training series designed to support educators at every stage of implementation. Whether you’re revisiting the basics or looking to refine your instruction, this series will help you make the most of UFLI in your classroom. 

Session 1: UFLI Refresher / Year 2 Implementation
September 15 | 3:30–5:30 PM EST

Session 2: Progress Monitoring & Differentiation
November 3 | 3:30–5:00 PM EST

Session 3: Teacher Support – Q&A and Intervention
February 2 | 3:30–5:30 PM EST

Grow Your Literacy Practice: Recommended Reads

Explore a carefully curated collection of books designed to support professional growth in literacy instruction. Whether you want to deepen your knowledge of evidence-based practices, strengthen your instructional strategies, or learn more about literacy coaching, these titles provide practical insights and ideas to enhance teaching and foster student success.

FOUNDATIONAL READING

WRITING

VOCABULARY

READ ALOUDS AND SHARED READING

ASSESSMENT

COACHING

This site is designed for Literacy Leaders within our districts. Access is limited to members of the COPESD Literacy Leader team. If you are part of the team and need assistance accessing the site, or if you need to update your district’s membership, please contact petersk@copesd.org or reganb@copesd.org.

The following district members currently have access: 

Cheboygan

Lori Hare harel@chebschools.com
Laura Wyman wymanl@chebschools.com
Cindy Homant homantc@chebschools.com

Gaylord

Susan Galacz galaczS@gaylord.k12.mi.us
Becky Brand brandb@gaylord.k12.mi.us
Cindy Brown brownc@gaylord.k12.mi.us

Inland Lakes

Jill Vigneau jvigneau@inlandlakes.org

Johannesburg and Lewiston

Kristine Speerstra speerstrak@jlas.org
Janet Serba serbaj@jlas.org

Mackinaw

Natasha Huber nhuber@mackcity.k12.mi.us

Onaway

Shannon Furst sfurst@oacsd.com

Posen

Holly Kuchnicki hkuchnicki@posen.k12.mi.us

Rogers City 

Kathy LaLonde kathy.lalonde@rcashurons.org

Wolverine

Darin Kimbler dkimbler@wolverineschools.org

Vanderbilt 

Ceci Edgmond edgmonc@vanderbilt.k12.mi.us

COPESD

Kim Peters petersk@copesd.org
Bridget Regan reganb@copesd.org
Jackie Fry jackief@copesd.org
Laura Wagar wagarl@copesd.org
Cris Cunningham cristinc@copesd.org
Missy Orr orrm@copesd.org
Jamie McClintic mcclinticj@copesd.org
Debbie Putman putmand@copesd.org

Helpful Literacy Resources

This collection of literacy resources is designed to support educators, schools, and communities in strengthening literacy instruction and student learning. The materials below include research-based frameworks, instructional programs, and professional learning opportunities that align with effective literacy practices. Whether you are looking to deepen your understanding of the Science of Reading, learn more about supporting students with dyslexia, explore instructional resources, or find recommended professional books and professional development opportunities, these resources are here to support your work. 

Explore the sections below to learn more. 

• Science of Reading
• Dyslexia Click on the book below to access the Dyslexia Handbook.
  
• UFLI Foundations
• Bookworms
• Recommended Professional Books
• Read, Write, Roar
• Professional Development

MDE Updates

• K-12 Literacy and Dyslexia Laws
• Literacy in Michigan
• Literacy Grants
• Professional Learning
• Family & Community Engagement
• Equity in Literacy