Virginia Lockwood is a former teacher who now consults and provides staff development in reading and writing instruction, curriculum development, and instructional leadership across the country. Ms. Lockwood, also works with the Reading and Writing Project at Columbia's Teachers College in New York City. Her literacy in-services provide an in-depth look at rigorous teaching and learning and include live or videotaped lessons with students, direct connections to classroom practice using student work, examination of standards, and time to plan for powerful classroom instruction. She is currently writing her first book for Heinemann Publishers.