Videos - Footsteps2Brilliance

Big problems require big solutions. So when Covington, Ky. – a diverse city of 41,000 people located in Cincinnati’s shadow – realized it needed to better prepare its children to hit the ground running on their first day of school - and on a path to meaningful careers, the City decided to go big. “Big” meant an “all-hands-on-deck” mentality that involved City leaders, public and private educators, the business community, social service agencies, faith leaders, and many more partners.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated inequities among various subgroups in education -- specifically race and poverty. Moreover, it has exposed the inefficiencies and failure modes within the incumbent system. In order to penetrate our collective new learning from the pandemic, educators must continue to underscore progressive practices to reimagine education for innovation and equity. This keynote session will frame disruptive innovation strategies that will lead educators to think about new approaches for access and opportunity.

The greatest challenge of teaching virtually in 2020 - 2021 comes from serving the youngest and least independent Dual Language Learners. Effective classroom teachers know it is crucial to keep the joy of learning for their students, even during these troubling times. This session will focus on best practices that PSJA ISD Dual Language teachers and administrators have developed to (1) advance the joy and progress of their students while developing language and literacy skills in English and Spanish, (2) innovate new ways to keep their community connected, and (3) engage parents and students.

Writing is a culminating activity of learning a language. A written piece provides us with the writer's background knowledge and insight into a chosen
topic. Whether narrative or informational, pre-K to grade 2 students require exposure to meaningful, relevant text and scaffolded experiences on the path to writing.
Fitchburg Public Schools has implemented an innovative, dual language curriculum that provides the supports for all learners to benefit. This session will focus on writing an informational text piece with the support students require to excel.

United Way of North Central Massachusetts has been serving as a backbone agency for a regional early literacy initiative called the Early Literacy Zone of North Central Massachusetts. The project leverages volunteer mentors to provide 1:1 literacy support and a mobile app that allow children and parents to access hundreds of hours of literacy content in both English and Spanish.

The early Literacy Zone also serves as a platform for a continuum of resources to promote health and wellness for families including nutritional support, access to behavioral health, and resources to help families achieve financial stability and success. The presentation will highlight this effort including challenges and opportunities associated with the Covid-19 pandemic and how to think about implementing similar work in your community.

This presentation will share the continuous, holistic work of Middletown's Early Minds 2022: Pathways to Readiness and Equity. The Early Minds 2022 framework represents a comprehensive approach to ensure that all children are ready and prepared for kindergarten. Three goals will be addressed: Readiness and Achievement, Social and Emotional Learning and Family and Community Partnerships. Through this initiative we have strengthened our community's understanding of the importance of addressing the preparation gap.

JCES F2B 2 MILLION WORDS!
We are LIVE at June Creek Elementary School with Footsteps2Brilliance, Inc.! This school community has read over TWO MILLION WORDS using Footsteps2Brilliance, and are being presented with a certificate for their accomplishment!June Creek Cougars¡Estamos EN VIVO desde la Primaria June Creek con Footsteps2Brilliance! ¡Esta comunidad escolar ha leído más de DOS MILLONES DE PALABRAS utilizando Footsteps2Brilliance, y se les presenta un certificado por sus logros!
Posted by Eagle County Schools on Thursday, February 28, 2019

Okeechobee Launches OkeeReads

Okeechobee County School District has created the Okee Reads initiative as part of a promise to the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Students in partnership with Footsteps2Brilliance, Inc. Through this initiative, every family with children birth through 2nd grade who reside within Okeechobee County have FREE access to the Footsteps2Brilliance early literacy app that provides libraries of English and Spanish eBooks, educational games, and creative writing tools proven to increase kindergarten readiness and third grade reading proficiency.

SLIMY GRIZZLIES....Dr. Ernest Garcia Elementary School Principal, Ramona Rodriquez and Assistant Principal, Lance Riley, said that they were both willing to “get slimed” if students reached the 20,000,000 word milestone for Footsteps2Brilliance’s Early Literacy Initiative. Students did - and today became a “Slimy Friday.” Thanks for being great sports Garcia ES administration! Congratulations also to the dedicated and focused Garcia ES teachers who helped students surpass the word count, especially teacher, Ms. Felix’s class! Enjoy the short, slimy video.
Posted by Rialto Unified School District on Friday, February 2, 2018

Dr. Ernest Garcia Elementary School Principal, Ramona Rodriquez and Assistant Principal, Lance Riley, said that they were both willing to “get slimed” if students reached the 20,000,000 word milestone for Footsteps2Brilliance’s Early Literacy Initiative. Students did - and today became a “Slimy Friday.” Thanks for being great sports Garcia ES administration! Congratulations also to the dedicated and focused Garcia ES teachers who helped students surpass the word count, especially teacher, Ms. Felix’s class! Enjoy the short, slimy video.