Principal Patton

Reading Recovery Salutes Outstanding Principals

Rod Patton, principal
Hartley Melvin Sanborn School District
Hartley, IA

Professional Development
“Reading Recovery’s professional development is outstanding,” says Principal Rod Patton, of the Hartley Melvin Sanborn School District.

He has often observed the teacher professional development sessions. He is impressed with the way the teachers work to improve instruction to their students and are accepting of the constructive feedback from their colleagues and teacher leader.

“The feedback is given with such respect that no one can take offense,” Patton said. “When I think about the training, I am proud of all the teachers in the room – their commitment, their passion, and their knowledge.”

Reading Recovery has been part of Hartley Melvin Sanborn School District for 7 years. Located in the Iowa Great Lakes Region, the 240-student Hartley School is part of a small rural school district that serves about 800 students.

Measuring Results
According to the school’s Web page, from 2001–2003, the school’s average for Grade 4 reading (measured by the Iowa Test of Basic Skills) was 84% —higher than the state average of 75% for the same time period.

Classroom Influence
The school has 2.5 FTEs for Title I, and three Reading Recovery teachers. Over the years, the influences of Reading Recovery have reached into classrooms where the strategies are also used. This provides continuity for students and teachers.

“Everything about Reading Recovery makes sense,” says Patton. “It’s not a series of isolated exercises. It is comprehensive.”