Reading Professional Development this Summer! and Summer FUN <3

If you have ever worked in a school, or you are a parent, you probably understand the strong importance of early literacy skills on children. I just watched a professional development webinar as part of my summer professional development goal and learned so much about the basics and foundation of reading. Although I expect to learn much more in practice when I serve as a K-2 School Psychologist, I find that engaging in continuous learning and growth is vital to my continued curiosity and performance in the field. I really enjoy platforms like OSPA, APA, Council for Exceptional Children, and Thriving Students.

If you are struggling to understand where to start when teaching your child/student how to read, I leave you with a basic summary of the CEC Kilpatrick PD I just attended. Make sure to teach advanced phonemic awareness skills to children who are struggling to read. Word reading development is based on letter sound proficiency and phonemic proficiency. Instruction needs to be explicit and systematic. We absolutely CAN prevent and correct most reading difficulties and the this is true regardless of disability category if a child lives with a disability of any kind.

I hope you are enjoying your summer! Reading is such an important gift and ability. I am looking forward to completing some research on a site called Reading Rockets to continue to attain a strong foundation in reading development and intervention. Not to mention I do have my old textbook from grad school. LOVE being a life long learner and am really enjoying being part of this amazing field. ❤

Plus, I wanted to share a few pictures from my summer adventures so far! Love me some fun and traveling. I went to Bedford’s 250 US celebration, Went to London on a graduation trip, and watched the Lion King at Playhouse square in Cleveland. Not to mention had delicious peaches and creme at Cordelia! ❤

Happy Summer Break!

Noor 🙂

NASP in Chicago! Internship Pre-Bedford Role Trip!

I am flying back to Cleveland today and my adventure in Chicago has come to an end. I really enjoyed networking and seeing so many influential and amazing faces! I got to meet Dr. Rebecca Branstetter in Person! I really enjoyed this trip and was also able to work at the Thriving Students booth as a thrive guide! Here are some pictures from my trip! Oh and I also did a little exploring in Chicago!

Discovered a store called Azeeza as part of Magnificent Mile!

The deep dish pizza was SO good!

I enjoyed my trip so much! My favorite part was the networking and seeing so many Marigolds at the Thriving students booth!

Excited for my next NASP in North Carolina!

Noor

I dressed up like an EVIL purple minion today!

I dressed up as an EVIL purple minion today and greeted students at the front door! Apparently I take myself way too seriously! Lol it was fun to be silly and lighthearted and to just have fun and enjoy it! Students were dressed up as yellow minions! Hahaha so fun! 🤩 Don’t forget that you can be the reason kids have more joy in school (🏫 which means more learning and engagement)

Noor

Aya Khalil Will Visit Nordonia!

I’m so exited that I was able to arrange for Aya Khalil, an award winning children’s book author, to visit Nordonia Hills (Ledgeview Elementary). The second grade teachers were super excited for her visit! She will be visiting on January 29! We are excited to learn from her and for her to read her upcoming book about Ramadan to all second grade students! I’m passionate about all books that create inclusive environments for all students! These books will truly make Muslim students feel a sense of belonging! Understanding the students we work with is so important and empowering to children! I’m excited to promote reading as a future school psychologist and to make sure students see themselves in the characters they read about!!!

Her New Book is here! It arrived the first day it came out! 🏫❄️💝❤️🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

To visit her site and book a visit, visit: https://www.ayakhalil.com/

Happy Winter ❄️ and Keep Reading!

Love, Noor

Adversity Road by Kendall Newell

Kendall, the author of his second book, Adversity road, is a friend I met through the Ohio Education Association. His passion for helping kids is inspiring and his books shed a light on what it means to persevere through adversity and to embrace life’s challenges!

This book would be a great addition to a classroom or home library for an elementary aged child!

Order his book here! Stay posted for if this book gets accepted into the library so you can borrow it for free!

Enjoy!

Noor

Hello! Welcome to my reading club!

Hello! Welcome to my reading club! I wanted to introduce myself! I am Noor and I am a school psychology intern studying to become a school psychologist! I currently have a Masters in Education in School Psychology and I am working on my education specialist degree. I have 6-7 years experience working in a diverse school district in Ohio and worked for the Ohio Education Association for two years as a statewide leader! I have also been a volunteer for MUHSEN. This is a nonprofit organization that aims to help individuals with disabilities.

Looking at the book selection at my public library, I saw a lack of representation in the books. I want to be part of incorporating books that promote diversity into my public library. I wish I saw myself in the books I read as a child, furthering my mission to include these books.

I am very excited for what lies ahead and look forward to featuring amazing children’s books on my website. My hope is to help children build important social emotional skills and respect for diversity and differences! I hope you enjoy!

Happy Reading! ☀️🎉🙌🏽☀️✅

Noor