TWR Newsletter – January-February 2024

Progress through Partnership: Monroe City Schools

Since 2018, Monroe City Schools (MCS) in Louisiana has been partnering with The Writing Revolution (TWR). Over time, this partnership has grown to become a leading example of how TWR can be effectively implemented across a school district.

In January, Natalie Wexler, co-author of The Writing Revolution and author of The Knowledge Gap, visited Monroe City Schools to observe the implementation of TWR in K-12 classrooms. Additionally, she had the opportunity to speak with MCS educators who shared their insights on how TWR has revolutionized writing instruction in their classrooms and its positive effects on student learning outcomes. 

In February, Drs. Vroom and Zoleo also visited MCS, where they had the opportunity to observe TWR instruction in kindergarten through second grade classrooms. This school year, MCS K-2 teachers began integrating the Hochman Method into their Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) curriculum. During the visit, the team watched teachers lead their students in practicing TWR strategies orally and in writing around various topics, including Westward Expansion, the solar system, the changing seasons, and insects.

Ballarat Clarendon College Named Top Performing School

In 2023, for the second year in a row, Ballarat Clarendon College was the top performing school in the state of Victoria in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) examinations. This is the third time in five years that Clarendon has achieved this milestone. The first time was in 2019, two years after TWR strategies were introduced and embedded in the curriculum. 

“The move in writing performance is particularly incredible,” said Mark Scruby, Head of English and Head of French at Clarendon. “It isn’t the position in the league table that we are so excited about… it is what it means in terms of what our students know and can do and the impact this will have in helping them pursue their heart’s desire in the future.”

TWR Engages Educators Worldwide

To share its writing strategies with educators throughout the U.S. and around the world, TWR faculty and leadership continue to present at several professional learning conferences and webinars.

In February, TWR presented during a webinar hosted by Scottish Borders Council Professional Learning in Scotland. TWR also presented at Parents University, a learning program for caregivers sponsored by the Newark (NJ) Board of Education.

This March, TWR will provide a presentation for the Reading League New Jersey Chapter. 

Mark your calendars for March 7th, as TWR invites you to attend a complimentary webinar. During this session, TWR’s Co-CEO Dr. Dina Zoleo and Associate Director Alexandria Chalonec will present an overview of the Hochman Method. Click the button below to register. 

Spreading the Revolution

TWR courses continue to attract educators from around the world. In January, introductory courses were attended by groups of educators from Texas, Arkansas, New York, California, Ohio, and other states, as well as educators from Australia. In February, TWR provided additional training to STEM educators in Newark, NJ, as well as an implementation workshop for educators from Ouachita Parish Schools in Louisiana.