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Course Overview
Fundamentals of Literacy Instruction
Structured Literacy Collaborative I
This unique series is your chance to participate in a learning community with educators from diverse locations. Dive into informative workshops, share insights in collaborative sessions, and walk away with fresh ideas and a support network.
- Boost your knowledge and practice of Structured Literacy techniques.
- Connect with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
- Cross-pollinate ideas and learn from each other’s experiences through interactive discussions.
- Take your teaching to the next level with personalized coaching.
Who is this course for?
This course is for all Educators, Classroom Teachers, Curriculum Directors, Literacy Coaches, Reading Specialists / Interventionists, Special Educators, Speech & Language Pathologists.
Course description
What is Structured Literacy? In this year-long collaborative course, you will learn the basics of Structured Literacy, with an emphasis on foundational word recognition skills. After completion of this course you will understand: what the ‘Science of Reading’ refers to, foundational frameworks, the difference between structured literacy and less effective instructional practices, and ways to shift your instruction to better align with what research tells us about how students learn to read.
You’ll build knowledge through five interactive online sessions, each two hours long, throughout the school year. Our expert Structured Literacy Coaches will guide you through key topics related to effective instruction and the Science of Reading. Get ready for active discussions, practical strategies, and a supportive community to fuel your classroom practice!
Core subjects include Introduction to Structured Literacy, Phonological and Phonemic Awareness, Reading and Spelling Development, Phonics Fundamentals, and Advanced Phonics and Syllable Types.
Whole Group Meetings Schedule:
Whole group meetings are on Zoom at the following dates and times:
- September 25, 2024
- November 20, 2024
- January 29, 2025
- March 19, 2025
- May 21, 2025
Literacy Coaching Sessions
Embrace lifelong learning with optional coaching sessions. Five dynamic sessions are your bridge between theory and practice, offering opportunities to:
- Tailor Structured Literacy concepts to your classroom.
- Collaborate with peers and learn from their experiences.
- Refine your teaching methods based on student data.
- Receive personalized feedback from Stern Center coaches.
As part of this experience, you’ll have the option to record yourself putting theory into action. These recordings become your learning tools, allowing you to witness your evolution, identify areas for improvement, and celebrate your successes. Five different coaching sessions are available throughout the months between meetings, providing continuous support for your growth.
Whole group sessions will be recorded and made available to all participants.
This series is a prerequisite for Beyond the Fundamentals of Structured Literacy Collaborative, which is designed to be an optional second part to the series described in this document. Core topics of Beyond the Fundamentals include: reading fluency, vocabulary, syntax, reading comprehension, and a conclusion to synthesize information.
This Collaborative opportunity is designed for five or fewer participants from any one school district. If you have more than five participants from one district interested in joining, please reach out to us at LBuettler@sterncenter.org to discuss the ways in which we can best support the needs of your participants.
NUMBER OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOURS: 10-15, depending on attendance at coaching sessions.
Dates
Whole Group Meetings:
- Sept. 25, 2024
- Nov. 20, 2024
- Jan. 29, 2025
- March 19, 2025
- May 21, 2025
Coaching Meetings: To be determined
Time
3:30–5:30 PM EST for whole group sessions. Coaching sessions will be scheduled with your coach.
Course Number(s)
1456
Location and Format
Cost
$1,160
This course is being offered at a discounted cost to participants made possible by the generosity of the Hoehl Family Foundation, in honor of Cynthia K Hoehl’s vision of teachers as lifelong learners.
Grade Level
Audience
What Teachers Have to Say
Frequently Asked Questions
What terms and conditions are there for professional learning registrations?
Please read the terms and conditions for our courses and workshops and contact us if you have any questions.
How do I register?
- If the course or workshop you’re interested in is on our website, please visit the course or workshop’s page and follow the link to access our online registration form. Complete the form by doing the following:
- Indicate whether you will pay with a credit card or a Purchase Order (PO).
- Fill out the participant information and workshop information sections.
- Read the Terms and Conditions and check the box to confirm your agreement.
- Click “Next”
- If you are paying with a PO:
- Please verify that your PO is complete.
- Upload the signed PO when prompted through the registration process. If you have questions please email: proflearning@sterncenter.org.
- Click “Next.”
- Your information will be sent to us to review. In 1–2 business days, we will confirm your registration by sending you an email with “Registration Confirmation” in the subject line.
- If you are paying with a credit card:
- Click “Continue.”
- On the Payment Method screen Click “Pay with Credit Card” to continue to Authorize.net.
- Enter your credit card information and click “Pay now” to complete your credit card transaction.
- Your information will be sent to us to review. In 1–2 business days, we will confirm your registration by sending you an email with “Registration Confirmation” in the subject line.
- If the course or workshop you’re interested in is not listed on our website, please contact us to learn more.
I’m considering taking a course for graduate credit. How long do I have to decide?
Graduate Credit Policy
Vermont State University (VtSU): If you are registering for a course that offers graduate credit from VTSU, you may add graduate credit up to and including the first day of class.
Graduate Credit Withdrawal Policy: For classes running consecutive days, participants who withdraw must decide by the end of the first day whether to request a graduate credit refund. To request a refund, email the Professional Learning Intake Coordinator at proflearning@sterncenter.org or by phone at 802-276-8684.
My school said they would register me. Do I need to do anything else?
Please confirm with your school that they have completed all the necessary steps to register you. Please do not plan to attend the class without verifying that you are registered, as we may be unable to accommodate you due to limited seating. If you are officially registered, you will receive a Registration Confirmation email. If you do not receive a Registration Confirmation email, please check with your school.
What is a purchase order or PO?
- A purchase order (PO) is a document from your school or district stating that they will pay a certain amount for you to attend a course or workshop. A PO allows us to invoice your school or district for your attendance.
- A PO might look something like this.
- A PO is not a number. Please supply the complete document to register, not just the PO number.
How do I register with a purchase order?
You’ll need to complete a purchase order (PO) before you register. Make sure your PO fulfills the following:
- The PO is issued to “Stern Center for Language and Learning.”
- The unit price is for the total cost (if your school or district pays for only part of the total cost, please email us at proflearning@sterncenter.org.
- The PO is signed by an authorized party at your school or district.
- Upload your PO as part of the registration process.
Can you invoice my school or district so they can make a PO?
Unfortunately no. We cannot submit invoices without first receiving a PO.
My school/district/I sent you a PO. Why am I not registered?
Ensure you have also completed and submitted a registration form and your PO. Without both documents, we cannot register you.
Make sure you sent us a copy of the PO itself and not just a PO number or a letter of intent from your school or district. We cannot invoice either of these items without the PO document itself.
Please get in touch with us if you haven’t received confirmation of your registration 1–2 business days after you submitted a completed PO and the registration information form. We may have missed one of these documents and would appreciate your letting us know to look for them.
My school or district won’t cover the total cost of a course or workshop. How can I complete my registration?
If your school or district is paying for only part of the total cost, please get in touch with us by calling 802-276-8684 or emailing proflearning@sterncenter.org. To complete your registration, you must send the remaining balance by check or credit card payment.
How do I pay for graduate credit?
Please make all payments to the Stern Center for Language and Learning. We’ll handle the rest!
If you are worried about the course or workshop filling up, you can pay with a credit card or check while you wait for your PO to be completed. Please check with your school or district before doing this to make sure you can be reimbursed when the PO is completed.
If paying for the course out-of-pocket isn’t an option for you, please get in touch with us.
My school or district is still working on my PO. Can I still register?
We’re sorry, but we cannot accept registrations without proof or payment or proof of intent to pay (such as a completed PO).
Can I still take a course if I need to miss one or more days?
All participants must be prepared for and attend every class and be ready to participate as required by the instructor.
If that is not possible for you, please get in touch with us before registering. You may still be able to take the course in some instances, but such decisions are at the course instructor’s discretion. Please refer to our Attendance & Participation Policy.
Can I audit a course or workshop?
Auditing our public offerings is not available. All attendees must register, pay tuition, and follow the attendance and participation policy.
Do I need to register with Wilson® after I enroll in the course or workshop with the Stern Center?
If you wish to receive a certificate of attendance, access additional resources, and register for graduate credit (when available), you will need to pre-register with Wilson. These resources and materials are only available through Wilson.
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Resources for Teachers
Explore evidence-based resources for teaching structured literacy, Orton-Gillingham, SEL, and more.
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Get in Touch!
For questions about courses and workshops, email proflearning@sterncenter.org, call 802-878-2332, or fill out the form below.