Empowering Paraprofessionals in New York City District 5: Building Background Knowledge in Small Group Interventions

Earlier this month, I delivered a virtual professional development (PD) session for a group of dedicated K-5 paraprofessionals in District 5, located in Harlem of New York City. Despite being conducted over Zoom, the session was highly interactive and collaborative, reflecting our mutual commitment to improving instructional  practice and student outcomes.

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Building Background Knowledge

​The focus of our session was on building background knowledge—a key driver in improving student reading comprehension. To demonstrate this strategy effectively, I modeled the ReadWorks Article- A-Day™ routine.Using a fun topic about  our solar system. The paraprofessionals became “students,” learning facts while seeing firsthand how this approach can be engaging and efficient in under 10 minutes.

Hands-On Learning for Immediate Impact

To ensure participants were able to put their learning into practice right away, we built in time for the free account and set up an initial navigation of the ReadWorks site.  Each participant then located an Article-a_Day™ set they could share and implement with their small working group. The thoughtful questions they raised underscored their commitment to making sure every student has an opportunity to succeed.

Teacher Confidence in Instruction

By the end of the PD session, it was clear that the paraprofessionals felt more confident in their ability to impact student reading comprehension through a stronger focus on background knowledge. Their enthusiasm was contagious, even through a virtual format, and it was wonderful to see how they embraced new strategies to support their students’ learning.

Partnering with ReadWorks for Free, High-Quality PD

Delivering virtual professional development can present unique challenges, but at ReadWorks, our expertise in educational technology ensures that these sessions are not only effective but also engaging. We specialize in using digital tools to support instruction, making sure educators leave with practical strategies they can implement right away. The enthusiasm and participation of the District 5 team made this session particularly rewarding, and it’s a testament to how impactful our approach can be.

Did you know that Title I schools can access free, high-quality virtual PD sessions from ReadWorks? Don’t miss out--schedule a quick call with us to see if your grade team, or school qualifies and to learn how we can support your teaching journey!

Written by: Tamika Reece, Educator Support Project Manager