BLOG
Investing in Teachers is Investing in Students
Given that teachers are the most important school-related factor impacting students’ success, The Learning Alliance invests in educator coaching and training across SDIRC. This strategy is particularly emphasized at the Moonshot School, Vero Beach Elementary, where demonstration classroom teachers like Becky Kolesnik serve as models for others to learn from.
Demonstration classroom teachers are highly effective educators who agree to host visitors in order to show strong instruction in action. Part of leading a demonstration classroom involves applying the latest research and practices, and The Learning Alliance supports these teachers with earning a series of microcredentials to stay up to speed.
Though she has been teaching for over 20 years, Kolesnik started at VBE last year, the 2024-25 school year. As a demonstration classroom teacher, she took online classes after school hours to earn her microcredentials. The lessons helped her refine her skills around literacy instruction, including how to hear and identify the individual sounds in words (phonemic awareness) and how to connect words with real-world sounds, sights, smells, tastes, and feelings.
“It’s just like a college course,” said Kolesnik. “I learned tricks and games to help me teach skills, but more importantly I learned how to talk about why it’s important for kids to learn these skills. And I was able to take things from every training I took and apply them in my classroom.”
The skills she and her colleagues have learned are having a tremendous impact on their students, with third-grade reading proficiency at VBE increasing from 38% in 2022 to 71% in 2025. That 33-point gain compares to a 12-point gain in the district and a 3-point gain in the state over the same period of time.
So far, Kolesnik has earned four microcredentials (Overview of the Science of Reading, Decoding and Spelling, Phonological Awareness, and Vocabulary) and is planning on finishing the final three trainings this year. Demonstration classroom teachers earn a badge when they complete a course; badges are displayed outside the door to their classroom.
The Learning Alliance covers the cost for teachers to participate in these trainings, which makes the professional development opportunity far more accessible. They also pay a stipend to demonstration classroom teachers to reward them for their continued effort and encourage other teachers to continue their learning journeys as well. This commitment to self-improvement has helped build a strong community of teachers who are not only willing but eager to learn from each other.
“I can’t express to you how great my team is at Vero Beach Elementary,” said Kolesnik. “We have quality teachers who want to be there and have the dedication. They’ll come into my classroom to learn AND to help me problem-solve things I’m having trouble with.”
Investment in the microcredentialing program and other professional development opportunities goes to teachers, but they are not the only beneficiaries.
“It’s a gift to the kids,” Kolesnik said.
You can help us reach the Moonshot Goal! Donate today to support programs that are helping kids read.
