Literacy

Emergent Literacy Coach Specialization

The UF Lastinger Center for Learning Emergent Literacy Coach Specialization, created with support from the Division of Early Learning (DEL), provides coaches a focused professional learning opportunity to hone their emergent literacy and coaching skills in order to support early learning educators in literacy instruction.

Program Overview

The Emergent Literacy Coach Specialization is a combination of face-to-face and online professional learning opportunities designed for coaches who support educators as they implement evidence-based emergent literacy strategies. This program provides participants the opportunity to:

Combine high-quality coaching professional learning with evidence-based emergent literacy practices

Practice providing targeted coaching support to early learning educators in literacy instruction

Implement learning through job-embedded practice

Access the Emergent Literacy Playbooks

Participants demonstrate evidence of their learning while collaborating with other coaches.

Eligible Participants

Coaches who:

Have already earned the Lastinger Early Childhood Coaching Certification AND

Work in early learning settings, such as:

Early learning centers

Family child care homes

VPK programs AND

Are currently in a position to coach an early learning educator throughout the duration of the program

Benefits

Earn a $500 completion stipend

Earn the Emergent Literacy Micro-Credential

Collaborate face-to-face with other coaches

Support emergent literacy development and kindergarten readiness

Stipend Information

Stipend eligibility and budget are being determined for the 2025-2026 academic year. Information will be shared as it becomes available.

Please visit the Stipends Hub for information about the 2024-25 stipends.

Visit Stipends Hub

Partner with Us

Interested in bringing the Emergent Literacy Coach Specialization to your organization? Contact our Language and Literacy Partnerships Manager to start the conversation.

Timeline

This program takes place over the course of one semester with face-to-face sessions once every month.

Courses

This program is aligned with the Florida Literacy Coaching Domains and Standards, with all content and activities designed to ensure a high-impact learning experience and prepare you to serve as an effective, endorsed coach in your context.

Building Relationships to Establish a Culture of Coaching

Knowledge Building of Coaches

Application of Pedagogy and Andragogy

Use of Data to Inform Coaching

Continuous Improvement and Professional Growth

Format

5 days of in-person sessions: 1-day Kick-Off Institute and 4 follow-up sessions

Complete the Emergent Literacy Micro-Credential

Demonstrate mastery through a recorded emergent literacy coaching video

Earn the Emergent Literacy Coach Specialization

Coaches must have already earned the Lastinger Early Childhood Coaching Certification.

Emergent Literacy Playbooks

The Emergent Literacy Playbooks are aligned to the Emergent Literacy Micro-Credential modules and cover:

Oral Language and Shared Storybook Reading

Phonological Awareness

Alphabet and Print Knowledge

Emergent Reading and Writing

The Playbooks also feature:

Ready to use, research-based presentations and presenter notes

Downloadable resources

Content-aligned coaching video clips

Real Educators See Real Impact

“THANK YOU!! This has been an amazing professional growth journey for me in my role as literacy coordinator. It’s built my knowledge base, given me confidence to have more informed conversations, created amazing new networking opportunities, and ideas to implement.”
Florida Literacy Educator

Connect With Us

Fill out our Program Interest Form to stay up to date on Lastinger Learning course offerings, or contact us to bring Lastinger Learning programs to your district or organization.

Program Interest Form