Connie Obrochta, M.Ed.
Reading Recovery Teacher Leader
Reading Recovery Center
National College of Education
Ms. Obrochta has taught a variety of graduate courses focused on early literacy acquisition for the Reading Recovery Center, as well as survey courses for elementary literacy practices and graduate credit workshops for vocabulary, comprehension, and phonics. Her teaching of children and adults stems from the belief that the answer to improving instruction does not lie in a box or a binder. Rather, teaching decisions that are deliberate and dexterous are critical to improving instructional outcomes. Therefore, continuing teacher education should support teachers throughout their careers with building a repertoire of tools and methods for close observation and effective instruction.
Early literacy acquisition, vocabulary development, children’s literature.
B.S. from Western Michigan University, 1982.
M.Ed in Reading Education from National Louis University, 1991.
Advanced Graduate Level Coursework for Reading Recovery Teacher Leader Credentials through National Louis University, 2008.
Connie Obrochta has served as a Reading Recovery Teacher Leader in Evanston-Skokie District 65 from 2008-2021 and currently serves that role for National Louis University. During her career, she has been a reading specialist, literacy coach, Kohl Academy Fellow, and President of The Suburban Council of the International Reading Association. She is a member of NLU's Reading Leadership Institute and was the recipient of the Corwin Literacy Leaders Award for 2021 from the International Literacy Association.
Action research project: Vocabulary Visits with Camille Blachowicz, published in The Reading Teacher, 59 (3), 262-268, 2005.
Interests: early literacy acquisition, vocabulary development, using children’s literature to support deeper understandings for social justice and equity.
