Early Literacy Support Teachers

The Early Literacy Support Teachers (ELST) provide early literacy support to elementary schools. The ELSTs use a collaborative approach to address the literacy needs of the K-3 students. It is an inclusive model where the ELST co-plans and co-teaches to provide research- based literacy instruction to all students in the regular classroom. Where students may need additional literacy support; thereby “catching them before they fall”, the ELST collaborates with teachers to provide small group, targeted intervention that aligns with research-based instructional practices.

Each ELST works with the staff in two schools per school year (5 months in each). The collaborative working relationships developed during those 5 months are often maintained through virtual meetings or occasional follow-up visits.