Literacy Coach Assists At Primary, Principal Tells Board
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by Janice Penix
A state-appointed literacy coach has been assisting teachers at two of Clarksville’s schools, and the experience has been positive at Clarksville Primary, Principal Mark Mooney told members of the school board at their monthly meeting Friday, Jan. 30.
Both Clarksville Primary and Clarksville Elementary were assigned the services of a literacy coach after the schools received an F grade on state report cards based on third grade literacy scores on tests administered in the spring of 2025.
Mooney said the literacy coach is employed by Amplify, the provider of the school’s English language arts curriculum, which allows her to provide helpful feedback to teachers on instruction and use of materials.
“She has been very respectful, and very kind with our teachers,” Mooney said. “Overall, her feedback has been super positive.”
Mooney said literacy instruction includes two components: the skills component, which involves learning letters and sounds; and the knowledge component, which involves vocabulary, comprehension and fluency. Those components build the skills students need to develop by the time they reach third grade, the first year the state ATLAS test is administered.
After observation, Mooney said the literacy coach determined Clarksville Primary teachers are strong in the skills component, but she identified areas in which they can strengthen the knowledge component of instruction. As a result, 30 minutes each day has been set aside for work related to the knowledge component.
Mooney said in addition to improving students’ ability to perform well on the ATLAS tests, improving their language arts skills at the foundational level will help them to become lifelong readers.
The literacy coach will be on site at the primary and elementary schools through April.
Other Matters
–Superintendent David Hopkins reported all Board members have received the required annual training hours.
–Following an executive session, the Board voted to renew Hopkins’ contract through the 2026-27 school year.
Jessica Crook, who is currently a first grade teacher, was employed as primary school principal beginning with the 2026-27 school year. She will replace Mooney, who recently announced his retirement.
Resignations were accepted from Jessica Pitts, district accounts payable clerk; Colleen Rodonski, elementary school reading intervention paraprofessional; Deborah West, fourth grade teacher; and Paula Siebenmorgen, junior high intervention paraprofessional.
Board members present included Clay Austin, Bobby Freeman, Dana Frizzell and Jesse Taylor, while Joanie Raburn was absent.
Read this story and others in the Feb. 4 issue of The Graphic, available online and at businesses throughout Franklin and Johnson counties. Subscribe or donate here to support more hometown journalism.
