Overview
Building the Foundation: Core Practices in Structured Literacy
Summer Course and Fall Practicum
Our newly updated asynchronous Structured Literacy course is here! Redesigned with current research and expanded resources, this course has been thoughtfully reimagined to better meet educators’ needs. With updated content, new insights, and a flexible, self-paced format, the summer course provides a strong foundation in the essential components of teaching students to decode.
For those looking to apply learning in the classroom and deepen their practice, an optional fall practicum is available. Participants can earn 1 graduate credit during the practicum, which includes video-based reflection using GoReact, personalized support through scheduled sessions, and targeted feedback to help you implement strategies effectively and maximize student impact. This two-part approach ensures educators not only understand the research but can translate it into practical, classroom-ready instruction.
Course description
NUMBER OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOURS:
30 for the Asynchronous Summer Course
15 for the Optional Fall Practicum
Optional live Welcome Sessions will be held to go over course logistics and expectations. You can choose to attend one of the following:
- July 14th, 2-3 PM EST or
- July 16th, 9-10 AM EST
Summer Course
Strengthen your understanding of how students learn to read and how you can support every learner through this four-part, self-paced webinar series. Grounded in the Science of Reading, this interactive, asynchronous course introduces the essential components of structured literacy and connects research to practical classroom application.
You’ll build foundational knowledge in:
- How the brain learns to read and the principles of structured literacy
- The language systems that support reading and writing
- Phonological and phonemic awareness
- The development of reading and spelling skills
- Phonics instruction, including syllable types and decoding strategies
Through a blend of recorded webinars, interactive practice, and curated resources, you’ll gain concrete tools to strengthen instruction and build confidence in supporting all readers.
Topics Covered:
- Introduction to Structured Literacy and the Science of Reading
- Phonological and Phonemic Awareness
- Reading and Spelling Development
- Phonics and Syllable Types
You can opt to earn two graduate credits for this course.
This series is designed for educators and administrators who want to grow or refine their knowledge of foundational reading skills and how students learn to read. The course content, activities, and strategies are applicable for educators working in grades K–5 or supporting striving adolescent readers in grades 6–12.
The summer course is fully asynchronous and self-paced. You’ll engage with recorded webinars, interactive activities, and curated resources while receiving personalized, specific feedback on written assignments from course instructors. This feedback is tailored to your responses and reflections, helping you connect course content directly to your classroom practice.
Optional Fall Practicum:
Participants who want to deepen their practice and apply learning in real time can join the fall practicum. This hands-on component includes:
- Recording and submitting 3–5 instructional videos using the secure GoReact platform
- Personalized sessions with instructors to discuss practical application
- Targeted feedback on lesson plans, instructional strategies, and classroom implementation
- Guidance on adapting course strategies for your grade level, content area, or learner population
- Reflection and troubleshooting to overcome instructional challenges
The practicum is designed to provide practical, actionable support as you implement strategies from the summer course and maximize your instructional impact. Personalized sessions are scheduled directly with instructors based on each participant’s availability, ensuring guidance fits your schedule and classroom context. Participants can choose to earn 1 graduate credit for the practicum. You must register by the end of the summer course for the fall practicum.
PREREQUISITE FOR THE FALL PRACTICUM ONLY: Participants must take (or have previously completed) the Building the Foundation course to register for the fall practicum.
Dates
Summer Course: Jul. 8 – Aug. 21
Fall Practicum: Sept. 21 – Dec. 18
Registration Closes:
Summer Course: Jul. 1
Fall Practicum: Aug. 21
Time
Summer Course: Asynchronous.
Fall Practicum: Please see the course description for information on personalized sessions.
Course Number(s)
Course: 1662
Practicum: 1663
Location and Format
Cost
Summer Course: $1,160
Fall Practicum: $850
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
Graduate Credit
Leigh Buettler, M.S.Ed.
Director of Professional Learning
Monica Crumback, B.A., SLDI
Structured Literacy Coach
Elizabeth Keenan, M.Ed.
Structured Literacy Coach
Kendra Totman Padilla, M.Ed.
Structured Literacy Coach
What Teachers Have to Say
Meet the Instructor(s)
Leigh Buettler, M.S.Ed.
Director of Professional Learning
Leigh Buettler has been in the educational field for over fifteen years, beginning work as an adjunct lecturer at SUNY at Albany in the Women’s Studies department, where she also earned a B.A. and M.A. in the same field. In 2009, Leigh was accepted into the Teach for America NYC Corps, where Leigh taught middle […]
Monica Crumback, B.A., SLDI
Structured Literacy Coach
Monica Crumback has more than a decade of experience working with students, families, and educators as an Orton-Gillingham tutor, mentor, trainer, coach, presenter, and curriculum and instruction manager. She received her initial-level training at the Children’s Dyslexia Center of West Michigan and has since gained extensive experience working with students diagnosed with dyslexia as well […]
Elizabeth Keenan, M.Ed.
Structured Literacy Coach
Elizabeth Keenan (she/her), M.Ed., Associate/OGA, is a Structured Literacy Coach for Lead to Read and provides consulting services to schools around Vermont. She holds a Special Educator (K-age 21) teaching license in Vermont, and is certified at the Associate level from the Orton-Gillingham Academy. Prior to joining the Stern Center in 2020, Elizabeth established Keenan […]
Kendra Totman Padilla, M.Ed.
Structured Literacy Coach
Kendra entered the field of education after earning her undergraduate degree in psychology from Williams College. She spent her early career teaching outdoor, environmental, and after-school education to students in multiple states across the country.
Supporting Teachers
Hoehl Institute for Professional Learning
The Cynthia K. Hoehl Institute for Excellence provides high-quality professional learning to educators. Learn more about Cynthia K. Hoehl, whose vision as an educator inspired a powerful legacy.
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.
Our Reach by the Numbers
2,250+
Teachers Served Every Year
When a teacher takes one of our courses, the positive impact ripples beyond one life, spreading through an entire classroom, school, and community.
Our Reach by the Numbers
13,891+
Student Services Hours This Year
We offer one-on-one teaching that transforms lives, lifts up voices, and inspires learners to bring forth their unique gifts to a world that awaits them.
Our Reach by the Numbers
94%
of Vermont School Districts Served
We celebrate the dedication of our school partners and share their commitment to a brighter future for all learners.
Our Reach by the Numbers
37
States and Counting
We’re a national leader in language and literacy. Our impact currently extends across 37 states and 9 countries through the thousands of educators we reach and students we serve.
Keep Learning
Resources for Teachers
Explore evidence-based resources for teaching structured literacy, Orton-Gillingham, SEL, and more.
Teachers Making Change
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to helping every learner grow and thrive.
Course & Registration FAQs
Do you have questions about course registration, credits, grants, or anything else? Find your answers here!
Get in Touch!
For questions about courses and workshops, email proflearning@sterncenter.org, call 802-878-2332, or fill out the form below.
