ARI Region 7

05/08/2026

Don’t forget about all of the impactful sessions that will be offered this summer through the University of Montevallo Regional Inservice Center. The link below will provide you with session and registration information.

Regional Inservice Education Center

04/01/2026

Inverness Elementary kicked off our last window of Strong Leader, Strong Reader Leadership Labs. Principals reflected on purposeful next steps to build collective teacher efficacy through the PLC process. Principal Brooke Dunham, Local Reading Specialist Courtney Hallford, and teachers analyzed student work and planned forward for intentional differentiated tier I small group instruction and stations. 📚📝

03/17/2026

Local Reading Specialists also celebrated the impact they’ve had as instructional coaches and began planning next steps to ensure their coaching work continues to flourish within their schools.
We are excited to see how these dedicated educators continue bridging the gap between content knowledge and classroom practice to support teachers and students alike! 🌱📚

Many thanks to Chrisy Miskelley (Shelby Elementary) for modeling teaching in tandem in a 2nd-grade classroom with explicit instruction on creating a sense of closure in narrative text-dependent writing. What a great way to close out the year for the Strawberry group! 🍓
ARI / The Alabama Reading Initiative

03/16/2026

During our final Coaching Community Session, participants engaged in professional learning on the different types of assessments outlined in the Alabama Literacy Act, along with student proficiency expectations and instructional implications for the fluency domain.📖

Thank you, Erica Robinson, for closing out the year for the plums 💜and allowing us to participate in your coaching cycle while teaching in tandem in a 3rd-grade classroom, focusing on how text features contribute to the meaning of a fiction text (play)
ARI / The Alabama Reading Initiative

03/16/2026

✨ That’s a wrap on Coaching Labs for Region 7 Local Reading Specialists!
Our final Coaching Community session of the school year was filled with meaningful learning and plenty of laughter as our Local Reading Specialists came together one last time. The time spent in small cohort groups throughout the year has provided valuable opportunities to collaborate, reflect, and grow—strengthening our collective efforts to improve student outcomes across the region.
Thank you to Hailey Fant (Elvin Hill Elementary) for showcasing Teaching In Tandem in a First Grade Classroom with sequencing events in writing composition for our final lab for the Bananas Group!🍌
ARI / The Alabama Reading Initiative

03/03/2026

02/27/2026

Valentine’s Day may be over, but Alabama principals are still sharing the love for our ARI Local Reading Specialists!

Janet Ford
Region 7, Homewood City Schools
Edgewood Elementary
Janet's insight and support is critical to the success of our grade levels. She doesn't just provide data; she provides a roadmap and the encouragement we need to better serve our readers.

02/27/2026

Valentine’s Day may be over, but Alabama principals are still sharing the love for our ARI Local Reading Specialists!

Amy Barker
Region 7, Chilton County
Thorsby High School

We are so grateful for the way Mrs. Barker supports literacy instruction through intentional coaching and leadership at our school. Her kind and giving spirit, genuine compassion, and contagious smile make her a joy to work with every day. She leads with professionalism in every aspect, uplifting teachers and students alike while strengthening literacy practices across our campus. We are better because of her!

02/27/2026

Valentine’s Day may be over, but Alabama principals are still sharing the love for our ARI Local Reading Specialists!

Amy Rooker
Region 7, Bibb County
Woodstock Elementary

Amy is always willing to help in any capacity at WES. She is knowledgeable and able to explain ideas to others. Amy is great when helping grade levels plan, listening to ideas, and working in the classrooms within coaching cycles.

02/27/2026

Valentine’s Day may be over, but Alabama principals are still sharing the love for our ARI Local Reading Specialists!

Shana Shell
Region 7, Talladega County Schools
Sycamore Elementary

Mrs. Shell supports strong literacy instruction by coaching teachers across all grade levels and guiding collaborative PLCs focused on effective reading practices. She is deeply passionate about teaching reading and writing and works side-by-side with teachers to plan purposeful, student-centered instruction. She consistently celebrates successes—big and small—while empowering teachers and keeping student growth at the heart of her work.