This paper aims to think about the continuing education for literacy teachers offered in a small city.That is why I develop a qualitative research, supported by the desire to understand how literacy teachers in the city of Matias Barbosa - MG, who took part in continuing education programs offered by the Pro Literacy and the National Pact for Literacy at the Right Age Pact, appropriates the knowledge built in formation meetings and change (or not) their teaching in schools.The sources of data generation were the documents related to formations programs Pro Literacy and National Pact for Literacy at the Right Age; general questionnaires applied to all literacy course participant-teachers of these continuing education programs; individual questionnaires responded by the coordinator of continuing education and the guiding of county study and a collective interview with a group of nine of the formation participants. The theoretical framework was based on authors who research on public policy and the management of basic education, as Davies, Cury, Saviani and, more specifically on teacher‘s formation policies, as Gatti, Barreto, André, on the subject of continuing education of teachers, as Nóvoa, Tardif, Candau, Kramer. For the treatment of qualitative data, we opted for the content analysis. The relation between literature review and the field job resulted in the following analysis points a) to be a teacher; b) teachers knowledge; and c) pedagogical makes. The conclusion is that the formation programs, specially the National Pact for Literacy at the Right Age, were an opportunity to think about the pedagogical makes of literacy teachers of Matias Barbosa.The courseware, evaluations, teaching process monitoring and continuing formation investments were pointed by the teachers as important components to the pedagogical and teaching improves. In summary, the current formation has resulted in, according to the teachers, transformations at the pedagogical make, which effects in a bigger safety to innovate at class activities. The interviews revealed a better conscience about the relations between a) what; b) for; c) why and d) how to plan pedagogical actions and have more confidence that theres the development of solidary actions. The research also allowed the perception of the importance to ensure the professional development as part of a public policy continuing formation. This policy must be related with other aspects, as the context and the work conditions. The professional valorization is also important, expressed in a good salary, social recognition and career plan.