Literacy Counselors
To become a Literacy Counselor you must have previously taken a Level 1 Literacy course, or have read and applied techniques from Comprehensive Literacy for All. This would be a 2-3 day CONVENTIONAL training with Drs. Karen Erickson and David Koppenhaver OR a 2-3 day CONVENTIONAL training with presenters from Michigan. Please contact us if you are not sure of the Michigan presenters. If you have taken an emergent course, you can apply, but the conventional training is the experience we are looking for. At least a year of working with students using the knowledge gained is also suggested.
Adult Literacy Counselor Applications for 2025 are OPEN! Apply here:
Looking for Literacy Courses?
We offer courses from time to time. Check back periodically with us, including on our blog, to see when there is an announcement.
We are often asked by educators and parents about courses in comprehensive literacy instruction with Drs. Karen Erickson and David Koppenhaver. At this time, Camp ALEC is not able to offer workshops. However, there are excellent resources online as well as the book Comprehensive literacy for All authored by Drs. Karen Erickson and David Koppenhaver. The components of comprehensive literacy instruction will look different for emergent and conventional literacy learners.
First, ask the following questions:
Does the student……
Know most of the letters, most of the time?
Engage actively during shared reading?
Have a means of communication and interaction?
Understand that writing involves letters and words?
If the answer is NO to one or more questions, comprehensive EMERGENT literacy interventions are indicated.
Modules:
http:www.project-core.com
http:www.sharedreader.org
If the answer is YES to ALL questions, comprehensive CONVENTIONAL literacy interventions are indicated.
Hear from Past Literacy Counselors
Dawn
The two biggest benefits I had were learning more about AAC learners and literacy and I left with an enormous amount of training for teaching emerging literacy students that is practical and effective. I enjoyed seeing all the devices that are out there for students to use.
Tova
Firstly, I would share that I loved having opportunities for authentic fun experiences with the kids while still working on literacy skills (without them realizing). It wasn’t just camp and it wasn’t just work and literacy it was a beautiful combination of the two! It’s a good reminder to carry that into a school setting.
In terms of benefits, I would say the opportunity to learn new things with a quick turnaround of trying it out and then being able to troubleshoot further or get advice, if needed, all within a very short time span.
Also, people in this field are often on an island by themselves and it was helpful to be in a room with like-minded people, with similar experiences and shared knowledge and passion. It made it easy to work and collaborate together.
Carolyn
How about 3 benefits? :) Aside from the renewed passion for all things literacy(!!!):
1. We had the opportunity to think behind the typical “school constraints” of instruction. I learned how to think on my feet and adapt literacy activities in the moment, rather than trying to check all of the boxes of a “pretty” lesson plan.
2. We jumped right in with campers without having preconceived skills or capabilities. We followed the campers’ interests and really focused on the fun. I think that’s often lost in the hustle and bustle of a school day.
3. Opportunities to learn, try, adapt, and reflect on instructional strategies or assessment practices. I appreciated having Dave, Karen, Sofia, and Sydney there to learn from, but also all of the other educators/literacy counselors to bounce ideas off of.
Margaret
I really valued the opportunity to work directly with the AAC users (campers) so extensively, not something I get to do in my daily work. It was eye-opening for me to see them participating so fully and communicating so effectively; I found it very inspiring. Seeing the campers in this context really strengthened my belief in inclusion but also the importance of “finding your own tribe” and being with others like yourself. This opportunity really reinforced the importance of language and literacy for all and helped me see what is truly possible.
Another benefit was the opportunity to spend the week with Karen and David, two gurus in this field of work. It was so valuable to have access to their expertise in real-time while working with the campers; the opportunity to implement our learning immediately was authentic and impactful. As well, working collaboratively with other teachers and SLPs supported my learning greatly.