OUR WORK

A collection of projects and engagements from our work online, in schools, and in the community.

WORKSHOPS, KEYNOTES & INTERVIEWS

Explore featured videos highlighting our teaching style, focused on fun and engagement.

Helping Students Discover & Celebrate Their Own Ways of Thinking

Balancing Whole Class Texts with Choice Reading 5-12

Tools for Distance Learning: DIY Literacy

PODCAST: BEYOND THE LETTERS

Beyond the Letters is a two-season, multi-episode podcast hosted by Kate and Maggie, featuring LGBTQ+ educators, their stories, strategies, and practical advice for creating safe and inclusive educational spaces for queer youth and educators, alike. Hosted by Kate Roberts and Maggie Beattie Roberts, each week features a new guest as they talk all things LGBTQ+ and education.

Featured Episodes

Kate and Maggie speak with Harper B. Keenan about the importance of having queer representation in our schools, and the great impact that inclusive curriculum can have.

Kate and Maggie are joined by LaMar Timmons Long in today's episode as they talk about being vulnerable, the intersections of race and queerness, and building brave spaces in our classrooms.

Kate and Maggie talk with guest Arhm Wild about supporting and learning from our students. They consider questions like, how can schools support their LGBTQ+ students when resources are limited?

All Episodes

  • Spotify / Apple

    In this special preview, Kate and Maggie tell us why they wanted to make this podcast, and what kinds of topics listeners can expect to hear.

  • Spotify / Apple

    Guest Shea Martin talks about the big impact that small moves can make when it comes to supporting LGBTQ+ students, what it means to be an ally, and more!

  • Spotify / Apple

    We speak with Cody Miller about approachable strategies for bringing theory into practice when it comes to celebrating and supporting LGBTQ+ students.

  • Spotify / Apple

    We talked with Shamari Reid about doing the personal work that leads to fostering safe and inclusive spaces.

  • Spotify / Apple

    We speak with Harper B. Keenan about the importance of having queer representation in our schools, and the great impact that inclusive curriculum can have.

  • Spotify / Apple

    We speak with M. Colleen Cruz about living openly and authentically, and the result of including queer topics and texts in daily curriculum, classroom libraries, and discussions.

  • Spotify / Apple

    In this preview show, Kate and Maggie give us a glimpse of the conversations they're having in Season Two.

  • Spotify / Apple

    Kate and Maggie talk with guest Arhm Wild about supporting and learning from our students. They consider questions like, how can schools support their LGBTQ+ students when resources are limited? How does centering LGBTQ+ students benefit everyone? And how can teachers and school administrators communicate with hesitant parents?

  • Spotify / Apple

    A wide-ranging conversation about LGBTQ+ identity in education. They discuss those formative moments when we find the words to match our identity, how coming out is a constant process, and how meaningful and important it is to self-educate.

  • Spotify / Apple

    Kate and Maggie are joined by Jess Lifshitz in today's episode as they talk about normalizing language, digging deep into internal work, and how to discuss our identities in a school setting.

  • Spotify / Apple

    Kate and Maggie are joined by LaMar Timmons Long in today's episode as they talk about being vulnerable, the intersections of race and queerness, and building brave spaces in our classrooms.

  • Spotify / Apple

    Kate and Maggie are joined by Jennifer Serravallo in today's episode as they talk about building out your library, finding moments for queer representation, and how to make the case for building representation into your curriculum.

Guest Features: Heinemann Podcast

ARTICLES & GUEST WRITING

Featured
The Healthy Skeptic
The Healthy Skeptic

Soon, my next book will be published. I am proud of it, but also awfully nervous to see it fly off into the world. See, it’s a little bit controversial. I am a die-hard Readers Workshop person. I believe in choice, and independence, and student centered teaching. That is my true north. And yet, in this book, I argue for the worth of the whole class novel, of every kid reading the same book for a chunk of time, some of the time. *

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ON HAVING FAITH (AND TEACHING READING) BY KATE ROBERTS
ON HAVING FAITH (AND TEACHING READING) BY KATE ROBERTS

It was the last period of the last day of my first year teaching. My homeroom was noisily exiting after what I thought was a very rousing exit speech and Alicia was the last to leave. She paused. For a moment I thought she might apologize – for the violent outbursts, or the obscenities, or the general disrespect. Or maybe, I thought, she was going to thank me. She looked back and grinned. I smiled hopefully.

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Look After Your Twisted Ankles: Professional Development in Troubled Times
Look After Your Twisted Ankles: Professional Development in Troubled Times

Administrators, coaches, consultants, creators: Teachers need us to make their jobs easier right now.

Of course – many of us are, many of us have. But there is also a feeling lately that we should be back to normal, and everything should be getting back on track. Yes, things have stabilized a bit, but have they normalized? Are there even the same tracks to get back to?

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RESIDENCY

CASE STUDY

I began supporting the 5th - 8th grade team of ELA teachers in Burlington, CT in the Fall of 2021. The work began organically with observations of the middle school academic culture and then establishing professional learning goals alongside teachers, special education specialists and the administrative team. Over the years, my work has expanded to include supporting the implementation of a K-12 coaching program, looking at student data to establish clear, specific instructional goals, as well as supporting middle school content area teachers. 

Professional learning residencies are some of my favorite parts of our job. Residencies are authentic, effective, and use a long-game PD model that gives teachers embedded support to deepen their practice and feel empowered, effective and efficient. Residencies are innately homegrown and are rooted in the culture of the school, district and teaching staff. It’s an honor every time we get invited into a residency and partnership with a school or district.

  • "I just wanted to reach out and thank you for all your work with us over the last 2 days - we all very much appreciate your insights and suggestions. Mostly, we are so thankful to have a true ally who understands how hard this job is (and who believes we should still be doing it!)"

    Kathy

  • "Thank you for supporting my growth and development around book clubs and classroom talk in a digital environment. This recent three-day literacy institute was highly engaging and so relevant to the current conditions of teaching and learning. I am so grateful for this rich and meaningful professional learning experience; I know that my team and I are taking away effective strategies and ideas that our department can use whether or not we return to schools in person this fall."

    Kate Lund, Supervisor of Secondary English/Language Arts & Library Media (6-12): Feedback on July 2020 Digital Professional Learning Sessions

  • "I very much enjoyed Maggie’s ability to teach new methods immediately. Her pedagogical approach lends itself to teaching across the board. She came up with quick solutions to approach this monster of a year. Her joie de vivre gave this workshop that little something extra! I wish (our school) could invest in her coaching us for the year. It would be such a boost for moral. THANK YOU!"

    Middle School Teacher, Maine: Feedback on August 2020 Digital Professional Learning Sessions

  • "This was a wonderful workshop. I feel a LOT better about going into the school year. Thank you for providing such a comprehensive and exciting workshop!"

    Middle School Teacher, Maine: Feedback on August 2020 Digital Professional Learning Sessions

  • "I love your personality and your sense of humor! I enjoyed this workshop so much! With the guidance and resources that were given me today, I feel so much better about planning for my 7th grade ELA class. I've already jotted down several ideas. I can breathe now! Thank you!"

    Middle School Teacher, Maine: Feedback on August 2020 Digital Professional Learning Sessions

 PUBLICATIONS