Literacy Consultant
Evidence-Based Writing Instruction That Improves Student Achievement
Many districts have invested heavily in the Science of Reading, yet student reading and writing achievement remains stagnant.
The missing piece? Explicit, research-aligned writing instruction.
Teaching to Transform partners with schools and districts to strengthen writing instruction in ways that improve reading foundational skills, reading comprehension and overall literacy outcomes.
Engaging, Writer-Focused Instruction Aligned with the Science of Reading
Writing instruction is often underdeveloped and weakly embedded within reading programs.
Research shows that writing:
Strengthens reading comprehension
Deepens content understanding
Improves vocabulary retention
Develops critical thinking
Yet in many schools, writing is reduced to prompts, formulaic assignments and test prep, all lacking in critical aspects of writing such as voice, craft and generation of ideas.
We help schools build writing instruction that is:
Evidence-based
Skill-driven
Authentic and engaging
Aligned to literacy research
Using a writer-centered approach, Teaching to Transform works to guide teachers in discovering, exploring, and reflecting on students’ instructional needs.
Our methods emphasize meeting students where they are in order to help them grow as writers.
We do instruction differently.
✓ Practical Teaching Solutions: We meet teachers where they are in their understanding and experience with writing instruction and helping them to “buy-in” to the change in teaching practices.
✓ Practices Over Programs: We believe strong pedagogy trumps following programs. Having a core playbook of instructional practices is what builds strong instruction.
✓ Increased Teacher Confidence: Teachers feel supported and equipped to handle writing instruction challenges.
✓ Enhanced Student Engagement: Students enjoy writing and produce high-quality work.
Activate Your Student Growth
Our work transforms schools by alleviating the pressure of meeting arbitrary expectations and focusing on genuine growth. Teachers feel relieved and empowered, knowing they can move writers forward with simple, effective practices. This collaborative approach leads to a happier, more cohesive school environment where students thrive as confident writers and communicators.
Schools working with us report:
Increased student writing stamina
Improved clarity and organization in student work
Greater teacher confidence in writing instruction
Stronger alignment between reading and writing
Increased student engagement in writing
Professional Development
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Consultations
Our consultations provide a detailed evaluation of your current writing program, highlighting strengths and identifying areas for improvement.
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Training
Our workshops cover foundational writing instruction and advanced techniques, equipping teachers with practical, high-impact strategies.
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Coaching
Melissa provides one-on-one and group coaching tailored to each teacher’s needs, offering support through lesson planning, modeling, observation, and co-teaching.
THE MANTRA
Authentic
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Engaging
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Writer Focused
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Authentic • Engaging • Writer Focused •
Past and Present Partners in Education
free resource
Yes/No Guide to Assess Your Writing Program
A quick, step-by-step pathway to clarify your writing program priorities.
Contact Us.
At Teaching to Transform, we’re dedicated to creating a positive impact on schools, teachers, and students. Ready to make a change? Let’s work together to inspire a love for writing and achieve remarkable results in your district.
melissa@teaching-to-transform.com
856-404-3282
New Jersey