Organization:
Partnerships for Literacy and Learning
Posted: February 21, 2023
Organization Description
PLL is a statewide provider of literacy professional development. We work with school districts, schools, and teachers. While PLL is 5 years old, it grew out of the Vermont Reads Institute at UVM and has served Vermont schools for over 20 years. The lessons learned from almost 20 years of research and practice have resulted in a book, monographs, research presentations, professional development materials and tools used by all educators in the state. The work has been grounded in the principles and standards of high quality professional learning, coaching, leadership development, and school improvement. Although the projects of PLL are guided by empirical evidence and ongoing data collection, the focus of PLL is to share the lessons learned over the past 20 years with classroom teachers, district leaders, and policy makers. As a new entity built on the solid foundation of VRI at UVM, PLL has the strongest basis for helping schools and districts to strengthen their practice so that student outcomes are improved – for all students. As a nonprofit, we can focus on the mission of helping professionals solve the problems they face by employing an action-oriented focus that is designed to help schools “get better.”
The Mission and Vision of PLL:
Mission: Partnerships for Literacy and Learning is committed to bringing the power of literacy to all students through partnerships with organizations and educators. We are dedicated to building expertise so that students prek-grade 12 develop complex reading, writing, and critical thinking skills for personal and civic engagement throughout their lives.
Vision: PLL envisions nothing less than effective schools, expert educators, and equitable outcomes that lead to productive citizens and literacy for all people to enrich their lives and communities.
The PLL Board is a dedicated group of individuals who come together from a variety of backgrounds to support the work of PLL. We currently have 10 Board members. We need 12.
Organization's Approach to Diversity, Equity, Belonging, & Inclusion
PLL Adopted the following Statement in 2022. We hold ourselves accountable to this statement through our Policy Governance Model.
PLL’S JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT
A culture of learning and literacy is a way of life for all persons striving to be their best selves. At Partnerships for Literacy & Learning justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of who we are. Our commitment to these values is unwavering. Because we believe justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are more than a checklist or a trend, PLL has set a goal of embedding these ideals into all that we do to support school systems, administrators and teachers. We aim to imbue all learners with a sense of belonging and empowerment through a clear understanding of multiple literacies and to see themselves reflected in the substance of their learning.
We recognize literacy as a fundamental tool for agency and action in a free society. By refining and emphasizing the best practices of literacy learning, we set a course that honors each person’s individuality and identity, whether they are an adult practitioner or a youthful student. We pledge to listen and to include all voices; we respond with respect and compassion to the needs of each learning community with whom we work. We adhere to these ideals within PLL; we apply them to our interactions with those we work with outside PLL. We acknowledge that to successfully realize deeply inculturated conditions of justice, equity diversity, and inclusion, we must continually renew our understanding of these core ideals and of their manifestations. We question, revise, and measure our suppositions and assumptions to forge a more universal and holistic way of thinking, acting and teaching. Justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are the bedrock values of our vision and mission.
Board Terms and Term Limits
The term is 3 years. We are currently revising our term limits policy.
Frequency & Duration of Board Meetings
The Board meets 10 times per year for 2 hours and sometimes also holds a Board Retreat for one day.
Stipends for Board Membership
None
If Interested, Send Letter of Interest to the Following Point of Contact:
Mary Grace, Executive Director
Point of Contact Email
mkgrace@pllvt.org