Projects

"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyse a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."— Robert Heinlein, Time Enough for Love

As teachers, we tend to develop many skill sets --podcasting, streaming, web designing, programming, graphic design, etc.-- to engage our students and improve lesson delivery. This page contains links to some of my efforts to grow as a professional and share what I've learned with my peers.

My favorite method for delivering information is through one-pagers; double-sided notes focused on a specific topic or sub-category of literacy instruction. It's great for effective, collaborative conversations during professional development! Teachers can read and take away a lot from a standalone one-pager, but it is most effective when we get to model the strategies during in-person professional development. Each one-pager is informed by a combo of experience and researched practices.

Some examples are below and you can access the whole collection by downloading my Literacy Level Ups ebook!

Other Experiences

Professional Background

  • A certified educator with over 17 years of experience in education as a classroom teacher, university researcher, state department director, district coordinator, and independent consultant.

  • Writer, editor, and producer of multiple interactive, virtual professional development modules incorporating video, audio (podcasts), and hyperdoc resources.

  • Active in developing and implementing college- and career-ready, academic standards for Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12 in English language arts and literacy.

Professional Development Specialties

  • Formative assessments and literacy strategies

  • Standards-aligned lesson and assessment practices

  • Vertical aligning district curriculum

  • Incorporating model texts to teach writing and grammar

Past Work Experience

  • Coordinator of English language arts, Pre-K - Grade 12 Mustang Public Schools, 2017 - 2018

  • Director of English language arts, Oklahoma State Department of Education, 2012 - 2017

  • Literacy Specialist/Tutor, Private Practice, 2011 - 2017

  • National Literacy Consultant, United States Chamber of Commerce, Education and Workforce, 2013

  • Literacy Specialist, K20 Authentic Learning and Teaching program at the University of Oklahoma, 2012

  • Literacy Coordinator, K20 GEAR-UP for SUCCESS program at the University of Oklahoma, 2011- 2012

  • Teacher: Pre-AP & English/Creative Writing, Norman Public Schools, 2006 - 2011

Publications

Flores, Josh and Lara Searcy (2018). "Teachers Need to Read A Lot: The Reading Process as a Solitary and Professional Responsibility."

Oklahoma Reader. Spring/Summer 2018.Digital.

Searcy, Lara and Josh Flores (2017). "Teachers Need to Write A Lot: Writing as a Solitary and Professional Responsibility." Oklahoma English Journal. Summer/Fall 2017: Vol. 30, Issue 1. 7-10. Print.

Flores, Josh (2016). “10 Things I Learned in my 10 Years in Education.” Oklahoma Council of Teachers of English: OKCTE Voices. Spring 2016. Digital.

Flores, Josh. (2016). “Oklahoma Academic Standards for English Language Arts.” Oklahoma State Department of Education. Print.

Presentations

Flores, Josh. Meet the New Alabama ELA Standards. North Alabama Teaching Conference. 10 June 2021. Online. bit.ly/meettheelastandards

Flores, Josh and Lara Searcy, Ph.D. “#ChangED: Creating Meaningful Change toward Social Justice Advocacy.” University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR. ELATE conference. 21 July 2019. Panel.

Flores, Josh and Lara Searcy. “#CollaboratED.” #OKLAED Twitter Chat. 04 March 2018. Online.

Searcy, Lara and Josh Flores. “#ReadALot: The Reading Process as a Social and Solitary Professional Responsibility.” Oklahoma Literacy Association. Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma City, OK. 03 March 2018. Lecture.

Searcy, Lara and Josh Flores. “#ArguED: Shifting from Opinion to Argument in Writing.” Oklahoma Middle-Level Educators Association. Tulsa Technology Center, Tulsa, OK. 02 February 2018. Lecture.

Flores, Josh. #InvestED. Oklahoma Middle-Level Educators Association 2018 Spring Conference. Tulsa Technology Center, Tulsa, OK. 02 February 2018. Keynote

Flores, Josh. #InvestED. IPadpalooza 2017. University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK. 26 August 2017. Keynote

Searcy, Lara and Flores, Josh. #bitmojED. IPadpalooza 2017. University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK. 25 August 2017. Lecture.

Searcy, Lara and Flores, Josh. #hyperdocED. IPadpalooza 2017. University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK. 25 August 2017. Lecture.

Searcy, Lara and Flores, Josh. “#StructurED: Narrative as Superpower.” NWAWP: Lift Literacy Conference. Kirksey Middle School, Rogers, AR. 01 June 2017. Lecture.

Searcy, Lara and Flores, Josh. “#EdCampOKC Break Out Session: This is Your Brain On Literacy.” #EdCampOKC Spring 2017 Conference. Del City High School, Del City, OK. 04 March 2017. Lecture.

Searcy, Lara and Flores, Josh. “#EdCampOKC Break Out Session: #IntrovertED- OAS8 Independent Reading.” #EdCampOKC Spring 2017 Conference. Del City High School, Del City, OK. 04 March 2017. Lecture.

Searcy, Lara and Flores, Josh. "Standards of Advocacy: Using the OAS-ELA Standards to Teach, Assess, & Lead in the ELA Classroom." Oklahoma Education Association (OEA) Webinar. OEA Office, Oklahoma City. 25 Feb. 2017. Lecture. https://cc.readytalk.com/play?id=10bo53

Searcy, Lara and Flores, Josh. "Standards of Advocacy: Using the OAS-ELA Standards to Become a Teacher Advocate." Student Oklahoma Education Association (SOEA) Fall 2016 Conference. University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK. 05 Nov. 2016. Lecture.

Flores, Josh. “Looking in the Rearview Mirror: Lessons to Share on the Creation, Approval, and Implementation of State-Level Standards, Assessments, Policies and Initiatives.” Conference on English Leadership (CEL) Convention. Atlanta, GA. 20-22 November 2016. Panel

Flores, Josh. “PD/Teacher Prep Panel.” Conference on English Leadership (CEL) Convention. Atlanta, GA. 20-22 November 2016. Panel

Flores, Josh. “Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn: Innovative Leaders in a Connected World.” Bridging the Gap: Policy and Practice Consideration for State Department Of Education Leaders. National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Annual Conference. Atlanta, GA. 17-20 November 2016. Roundtable

Maldonado, Rebecca and Hill, Crag and Flores, Josh. “Empowering Teachers through Research: In PLCs, Teacher Prep Programs, and State Departments of Education.” Empowering Teachers Through Research. National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Annual Conference. Atlanta, GA. 17-20 November 2016. Panel

Flores, Josh. “Explore ways to build allies for your cause and awareness around your issue.” National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Annual Conference. Atlanta, GA. 17-20 November 2016. Roundtable

Flores, Josh. “Dive into naming and framing your issue.” National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Annual Conference. Atlanta, GA. 17-20 November 2016. Roundtable

Flores, Josh. “How to Increase Teacher Advocacy.” National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Annual Conference. Atlanta, GA. 17-20 November 2016. Roundtable

Flores, Josh. “#DisruptED.” IPadpalooza 2016. University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK. 26 August 2016. Keynote

Flores, Josh. “#BrandED.” Oklahoma Mid-Level Education Association. Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration. Conference. Tulsa, OK. 19 February 2016. Keynote

Flores, Josh. “Cats VS. Dogs: Aligning Common Core Research Expectations in Elementary Curriculum.” The LETRS Summit. Austin, TX. 26-29 June 2013. Workshop