Eatonville School District showcases strong reading instruction during K–5 Literacy Learning Walks

Over the past several weeks, teachers, principals, district administrators, and school board members across the Eatonville School District have participated in a series of K–5 Literacy Learning Walks at the district’s elementary schools, including Eatonville Elementary (EES), Weyerhaeuser Elementary (WES), and most recently, Columbia Crest Academy (CCA).

These Learning Walks are part of the district’s ongoing commitment to high-quality professional development and instructional growth. The goal is simple but powerful: to foster collaboration among educators, observe reading instruction in action, and highlight best practices as the district implements the Magnetic Reading curriculum in its first year.

The walkthroughs provided participants with an opportunity to see firsthand how reading instruction is unfolding in classrooms and to reflect on instructional strategies that are positively impacting student learning.

Teaching and Learning Executive Director Sally Keeley stated, "Our educators continue to impress with their professionalism, thoughtful planning, and focus on student success," said a district representative. "What we’re seeing in classrooms doesn't feel like the first year of a new curriculum—it feels like a well-established program, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our teachers."

School Board Chair Ronda Litzenberger also shared her appreciation following the CCA visit:

"I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the incredible classroom visits at CCA today. It was amazing to see firsthand how the growth we’ve been discussing in the boardroom is coming to life in your classrooms. Your dedication and hard work are truly making a difference for our students."

Superintendent Jay Brower echoed those sentiments, emphasizing both student engagement and progress toward broader district goals:

"It was inspiring to see students actively engaged and self-managing in every classroom we visited. The combination of intentional instruction and our newly adopted Magnetic Curriculum is clearly supporting meaningful student learning.

This progress is also reflected in the strides you're making toward your School Improvement Plan (SIP) goals and our broader Strategic Plan for academic success. These accomplishments are a direct result of your dedication, collaboration, and commitment to excellence.

Thank you for your continued hard work in supporting the success of every student. Your efforts are making a real and lasting impact."

Across all three schools, observers noted numerous instructional strengths, including:

• Warm and welcoming classroom environments that encouraged collaboration

• Effective routines and transitions that supported student focus

• High levels of student engagement in reading and writing tasks

• Use of hands-on, multimodal materials to support diverse learners

• Real-time checks for understanding and instructional adjustments

• Prompt correction of misconceptions and support for foundational skills

A key area of focus during the walks was scaffolding — providing strategic support that allows all students to access grade-level reading material and will remain a top priority for the coming school year.  Teachers were observed skillfully guiding students through complex texts, encouraging thoughtful discussion, and supporting vocabulary development.

As the district looks ahead, administrators and instructional leaders will use insights gathered during the Learning Walks to inform next steps and ensure ongoing support for teachers and students alike.

“These visits not only celebrate the great work happening in classrooms but also reinforce our belief in the power of professional collaboration,” one administrator noted. “Together, we are building a strong literacy foundation for every student in Eatonville.”