“This is probably the best professional development I’ve had since 1990. It’s the most worthwhile that I’ve had. It’s applicable, makes sense, and gets results.”

Barbara Dobbs, principal
Deer Valley High School
Glendale, AZ

“At the beginning of the year, most of my students knew only a few letters. Now I have four students reading at a 2nd-grade level, two reading at a kindergarten level, and the rest reading at a 1st-grade level. I attribute much of this success to [McREL’s Scaffolding Early Literacy].”

Angel Walter, kindergarten teacher
Kenosha, WI

“McREL is helping our teachers arrive at a better understanding of how the standards in the core subject areas should align to their curriculum. McREL facilitates excellent discussion on what needs to be taught. . . I can’t say enough about the guidance McREL has given us.”

Bob Toso, asst. superintendent
Jamestown Public Schools
Jamestown, ND

“[McREL’s academy gave me] the gift of time: time to work with my ELL leadership team, time to focus solely on the subgroup of LEP kids and strategies for these students, and time to think and reflect on my own leadership practices.”

Michelle Turner, principal
Bella Romero Elementary
Greeley, CO

“I give McREL’s ‘Teaching Reading in the Content Areas’ manuals to parents whenever they stop by my office.”

Larry DeWees, past principal
Shiprock High School
Shiprock, NM

“I have introduced many of the research-based strategies in ‘Classroom Instruction That Works’. . . Teachers are excited, students are learning, and we all are looking for more effective ways to improve student performance!”

Cynthia J. Matthew, principal
West Lane Elementary
Jackson, MO

“McREL’s consultants are top-notch, and their content and delivery had a positive impact on student achievement in many of our districts. Effective instructional strategies, building background knowledge, balanced leadership, creating professional communities of learners in our schools — these are just a few of the relevant, research-based elements of McREL’s work with our schools, all of which were effective at getting to the heart of school improvement.”

Gretchen Schaeffer Almeida
Former member, Mo. Close-the-Gap School Improvement Consortium
Director of staff development
Horry County Schools, Conway, SC

“The information [McREL] presented [Designing effective Science Lessons] was definitely life-changing for me and gave me the necessary tools to be an effective teacher right now. . . I can’t wait to share what I learned at our first science department meeting at our school.”

Alisa White, teacher
Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools
Nashville, NC

“I feel very strongly that McREL’s instruction, leadership, and school improvement resources are some
of the best tools available to those of us working in classrooms and schools.”

Cindy Harrison, past president
National Staff Development Council