As we move into spring, it’s a busy time in schools across New Hampshire, and we appreciate the continued work educators are doing to support students and one another.
Our commitment to providing meaningful, high-quality professional learning remains strong. This newsletter serves as the vehicle for sharing our brief survey, and I encourage you to take a few minutes to complete it and share your feedback on the professional learning opportunities you most want and need.
Looking ahead, we are excited to host our Third Annual Literacy Summit on October 6, 2026 —a powerful day of learning designed to support educators across K–12. We’re especially pleased to share that Dr. Stephanie Stollar has already committed to presenting. We hope you will mark your calendars and join us.
Thank you for all you do to inspire excellence and growth in every learner
Warmly, Jan Yost Executive Director
�� Looking Ahead: Save the Dates
Who Should Attend
The New Hampshire Teaching, Learning, and Leading Association (NHTLLA) is proud to announce its Third Annual Literacy Summit bringing educators and leaders together to advance literacy outcomes across New Hampshire. Building on past success, this year’s Summit offers a day of learning, collaboration, and inspiration focused on evidence-based practices and systemlevel impact.
Featured Speaker: Dr. Stephanie Stollar
A nationally recognized expert in early literacy and the science of reading, Dr. Stollar supports educators in building sustainable, system-wide improvement.
Instructional coaches and curriculum leaders
School and district administrators
Save the Date
�� October 6, 2026
�� Location: Grappone Conference Center, Concord, NH
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT & CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT With Dr Katie Novak
The New Hampshire Teaching, Learning, and Leading Association (NHTLLA) is excited to offer a powerful professional learning experience focused on engaging students while effectively managing classroom behavior.
On October 28, 2026, nationally recognized educator and author Dr. Katie Novak will lead a dynamic, practical workshop to help educators create classrooms where all students are engaged, motivated, and supported.
Why This Matters
Engagement and behavior are deeply connected. When learning is inclusive, responsive, and purposeful, students are more engaged—and behavior improves—leading to more positive, student-centered classrooms.
Who Should Attend
Classroom teachers (K–12)
Instructional coaches and specialists
School and district leaders
Anyone focused on improving engagement and classroom culture
Save the Date
�� October 28, 2026
�� Location: To Be Announced
Thank You for a Powerful Day of Learning
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for the Trust & Inspire Workshop. Together, we explored what it means to lead with trust, empower others, and create environments where both educators and students can thrive.
We are especially grateful to our partners at FranklinCovey Education and to Kim Plesec and Kate Maggs for their leadership and expertise.
We look forward to continuing to bring this kind of meaningful, high-impact professional learning to our community.
Help Shape What Comes Next
At NHTLLA, we are committed to designing professional learning that reflects the real needs of educators across New Hampshire.
This month, we are launching a Professional Learning Needs Assessment, and we would greatly value your input.
�� By May 1, take a few minutes to complete the 9-question survey and share your voice: Click here to take the short survey.
Your feedback will directly inform future workshops, conferences, and learning opportunities.
Member Spotlight
Dunbarton Elementary School 'Bridging the Gap' Literacy Coaches
Wanda White, Reading Specialist Jocelyn Woods, First Grade Teacher
As we balance our daily work in the classroom with our roles as coaches for Bridging the Gap: Pathways to Literacy Proficiency in the 603 (Cohort 2), we are constantly reminded that the most impactful work doesn't happen in a vacuum. While we have the privilege of serving as coaches, our growth this year is a direct result of being part of a much larger, dedicated team of educators.
A Shared Commitment to Literacy
Our work within Cohort 2 involves a rigorous schedule of monthly cohort meetings, weekly PLCs, and dedicated coaching sessions. While these meetings provide us with new tools and frameworks, their true value lies in the way they allow us to bring fresh perspectives back to our school community
This journey has allowed us to collectively rethink Tier 1 instruction. We are moving away from the idea of "my classroom" and toward a vision of "our students," ensuring that high-quality, foundational literacy instruction is a universal standard for every child who walks through our doors.
The Strength of the Collective
The core philosophy we’ve embraced through this coaching experience is that no one person is responsible for student learning. Instead, we are leaning into a truly collegial approach. We are learning that:
Growth is a Team Sport: Our weekly PLCs have become a space where we share challenges and celebrate wins together
Shared Accountability: When we collaborate, we distribute the weight of student success across the entire 'collective.'
A Culture of Openness: By embracing a coaching model, we are breaking down the walls between classrooms to foster an environment where we all learn from one another
Looking Ahead
While the two of us are honored to help facilitate these conversations as coaches, the real 'magic' is happening in the collaboration between all of us. It is the collective energy of our staffour shared brainpower and mutual support - that will truly bridge the gap for our learners.
We are excited to continue this work alongside each of you, knowing that together, we are building a more proficient future for all our students.
Connecting with NHTLLA
For the past two years, Dunbarton Elementary School has sent a team to the NHTLLA K-8 Literacy Summit. Our team fully immersed themselves in the sessions, though the sheer volume of credible content forced us into a 'divide and conquer' strategy After reading MTSS for Reading Improvement, meeting Dr. Stephanie Stollar felt like meeting a celebrity! We are already counting down the days until next year - waiting until October feels far too long.
Recent insights from Education Week highlight something many of us know, but don’t always have the structure to implement consistently:
�� Students learn best when instruction is targeted to their current level—and when they are actively engaged in meaningful tasks.
Sounds simple—but the impact can be powerful.
�� Listen Now!
Legislative Corner: Key Education Bills in NH
As the legislative session continues, several education-related bills are generating conversation across New Hampshire. Below is a brief overview of a few proposals educators may want to be aware of:
SB 101 – Open Enrollment
SB 101 would allow students to attend public schools outside of their home district, provided there is available space. The bill also proposes that a portion of education funding would follow the student to their chosen school. �� View SB 101 details
HB 1132 – Flag Display in Schools
HB 1132 addresses which flags may be displayed in public and charter schools. The bill would limit displays to a defined set of flags, including the U.S. and New Hampshire state flags, with specific exceptions for instructional use and certain official flags. The proposal has prompted discussion around consistency, local decision-making, and school environment. �� View HB 1132 details
SB 33 would require school districts to adopt and publicly post policies outlining what materials are available to students and establish a formal process for parents or guardians to challenge materials they believe are inappropriate or harmful.
The bill includes procedures for reviewing complaints and making determinations at the local level. �� View SB 33 details
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS and PARTNERS
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