Unlocking Complex Texts: Evidence-Based Scaffolds for Grades 5–12

Presented by Dr. Mitchell Brookins, Former Teacher, Current Educational Consultant, Brookins Consulting Moderated by Pam Austin, Professional Learning Facilitators Manager, Voyager Sopris Learning Sponsored by Voyager Sopris Learning Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. Join literacy practitioner and author Dr. Mitchell Brookins for an engaging session based on the critical nature of scaffolding in literacy instruction. In this edWebinar, Dr. Brookins translates research into clear, actionable strategies that help educators support students in navigating challenging texts across content areas. With a focus on equity and access, he demonstrates how scaffolding can empower learners to build comprehension, vocabulary, and confidence while engaging with grade-level material. Educators and leaders will walk away with practical tools to implement immediately in their classrooms, including scaffolds for text structure, language demands, and comprehension routines. This session is designed to move beyond theory—providing concrete examples, instructional routines, and planning strategies that ensure all students, including English learners and struggling readers, can thrive with complex texts. This edWebinar will be of interest to grades 5–12 teachers, librarians, school leaders, and district leaders. Dr. Mitchell Brookins is a nationally recognized educational consultant with over 20 years of experience across K–12 education as a teacher, instructional coach, school administrator, district leader, and literacy thought leader. As a school administrator, he led instructional improvement efforts that produced measurable gains, including raising DIBELS proficiency from 43% to 72%, increasing LEAP state assessment performance by 16 percentage points, and improving school letter grades from “D” to “C” within one year at both ReNEW Cultural Arts Academy and Dwight D. Eisenhower Academy. Dr. Brookins has contributed to national literacy conversations through conference presentations and media, including Amplify’s Science of Reading Podcast and Beyond My Years (2026), Keys to Literacy, The Reading League Conference, and the Black Men in Education Convening. His work has more recently been featured at state and regional convenings, including Read Ohio (2025), the Mississippi Winter Literacy Conference (2025), the Michigan Reading Association’s 70th Annual Conference (2026), and the PaTTAN Literacy Symposium (2026). He also leads a citywide literacy fellowship in partnership with New Schools for New Orleans, supporting 25 literacy leaders across the city. As Managing Director at Leading Educators, he supports system-level change in Jackson Public Schools, Baltimore City Schools, San Mateo-Foster City School District, Dubuque, and Omaha Public Schools. He holds a B.A. in elementary education, an M.A. in teacher leadership, and a Ph.D. in educational administration. Pam Austin, Professional Learning Facilitators Manager fo