Deborah G. Zawislan                                           Executive Director
                                                               
The Institute for Educational Renewal (IER) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving academic achievement of students in urban elementary, K-8 and middle school classrooms.  In partnership with John Carroll University since 1991, IER literacy coaches work directly with classroom teachers, principals, and parents in offering an innovative, on-site school renewal program that focuses on effective teaching and learning, collaborative leadership and positive school culture.  IER’s mission is to improve the quality of education for children in greater Cleveland and to foster the development of child-centered learning communities focused on student achievement.

IER’s program is based on a comprehensive literacy approach that balances reading, writing, language and word study.  Literacy coaches work one-on-one with teachers modeling literacy strategies in the classroom, in small groups facilitating grade level and leadership team meetings, and in supporting parent literacy groups within each school.  Among IER’s supporting activities are classroom libraries, school-based study groups, and district-wide learning communities.  IER implements a wide variety of professional development activities, including on-site graduate courses offered through John Carroll University.  IER also coordinates school-wide retreats to facilitate learning and professional dialogue among teachers, administrators, and parents.  The IER Leadership Network provides workshops, seminars, conferences, and other professional development activities to teachers, administrators, and parents within and across school districts within the Greater Cleveland area.

IER is governed by an advisory board with expertise in non-profit leadership, education, business, human resources, law, marketing, and public relations.  The executive director works closely with the board and staff in guiding IER’s activities.  John Carroll serves as IER’s fiscal/administrative agent, and members of John Carroll’s faculty and administration serve on its board.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS: 

ED 483/583 SPECIAL TOPICS 1-3 cr.  Open to teachers in IER schools.
CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP I:  LITERACY IN A DEVELOPMENTALLY AND CULTUALLY RESPONSIVE ENVIRONMENT 2 cr.  Focuses on a standards-based, comprehensive literacy framework and its compatibility with the use of multilevel, culturally responsive teaching strategies. Teachers work together to develop and implement units of study, individual lesson plans, and effective assessments lead toward attaining grade-level standards.

CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP II:  BUILDING COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING 2 cr.  Assists teachers in developing strong culturally responsive classrooms that integrate academic rigor and social competence in an overall K-8 program.  The course explores and is guided by principles of child development, racial identity development theory, culturally-responsive teaching, and research based classroom instructional strategies that are essential to closing the achievement gap.

CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP III:  DEVELOPING A CULTURE OF COLLABORATION WITHIN THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY 2 cr.   Addresses the value of collaboration within the school community and allows participants to plan ways in which they may serve as catalysts for effective change throughout the school.  Teachers identify characteristics of effective leadership qualities in general and within themselves.  The course is guided by principles of adult learning, collaboration and professional learning communities.

TEACHING AND LEARNING WITH YOUNG ADOLESCENTS IN K-8 SCHOOLS 1-2 cr.  Provides the foundational understandings that will help teachers develop strong middle grades that are well integrated into the overall K-8 program.  The course will explore adolescent development, teaming, effective standards-based teaching, and literacy in the content areas.