Erin Elrod, a 3rd grade teacher at Rockvale Elementary of Rutherford County Schools (TN), has been named the Open Up Resources EL Education K–8 Language Arts Teacher of the Month for February. Elrod is being recognized for her outstanding work in her classroom and ongoing support of teachers across the country as a member of the Open Up Resources National Professional Learning Community.
Elrod’s work with EL Education K–8 Language Arts makes her one of the most innovative teachers in the country. The EL Education K–8 Language Arts curriculum inspires a new way of teaching language arts by engaging students through compelling, real-world content to build equitable and inclusive learning opportunities.
Jennie Griffin, a colleague at Rutherford County Schools, nominated Elrod for her leadership in implementing the curriculum for the first time this school year. Griffin shared, “This series is so much different than what we have been used to using… And while change is one of the most difficult challenges to overcome, Erin has been nothing but positive in her way of learning and sharing and collaborating as we have traveled through Modules 1 and 2.”
In her nomination, Griffin described Elrod as an amazing colleague and a wonderful educator. She explained, “Erin has put her students first and has made this curriculum her own by following the Universal Design for Learning and engaging her students in complex text all while teaching them to be better humans. Her attitude brings such a positive light during what seems to be one of our most difficult moments as teachers.”
Elrod has found success with students and implementing the curriculum and appreciates the way the lessons build and progress. She explained, “My students are better writers after using this curriculum.” And she offered some advice: “Don't give up on it. It takes a while to get used to it, but it is worth it in the end.”
Open Up Resources is a non-profit on a mission to increase equity in education by making excellent, top-rated curricula freely available to districts. You can learn more at www.openupresources.org. Learn more about and join our communities here.
EL Education (formerly Expeditionary Learning) is redefining student achievement in diverse communities across the country. Founded over 20 years ago through the collaboration of the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Outward Bound, EL Education operates a national network of more than 150 high-achieving public schools serving over 4,000 teachers and 50,000 students, often in high-need communities.
EL Education creates great public schools where they are needed most. In addition, EL Education leverages its expertise to bring powerful resources to schools nationally: the organization provides curriculum, masterful coaching, and professional development, and publishes a portfolio of award-winning, educator-developed materials.
EL Education’s deep education expertise is simply unparalleled among materials developers. Learn more about EL Education here.