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Professional Development
Courses & Workshops for Teachers
When Teachers Grow, Students Grow
Our courses and workshops empower teachers with the latest research and effective practices to improve learning outcomes for all students.
Through our Cynthia K. Hoehl Institute for Excellence, we award grants to teachers seeking to deepen their knowledge through professional learning.
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Programs and Courses
Powerful, Practical Learning
Found 40 Results – Page 1 of 1
Free! Vermont Literacy Leadership Live Webinar Series
This free three-part live webinar series is specifically designed for superintendents, curriculum directors, special education directors, principals, and literacy coaches in their efforts to lead their districts and schools in implementing new reading legislation.
Literacy Courses | Online, Synchronous, Webinar
Aug. 6 | Aug. 7 | Aug. 14
OG on the GO
Teach from anywhere in the world! OG on the GO will enable Orton-Gillingham (OG) and Structured Literacy (SL) teachers to learn engaging, multisensory strategies that complement each component of an Orton-Gillingham lesson plan. You will learn simple, effective methods for interactive instruction in a virtual setting and explore useful digital resources. Less is more when it comes to technology.
Orton-Gillingham Training Courses | Online, Synchronous, Workshop
Aug. 8
Regstration closes Aug. 1.
Demystifying Dyslexia Workshop
This interactive workshop focuses on dyslexia, the most prevalent cause of reading and spelling difficulties. Sign up to learn about reading development, early signs of risk and assessment, and how to ensure all children learn to read.
Assessments & Evaluation Courses, Literacy Courses | Online, Synchronous, Workshop
Sept. 24
New! Fundations® Level Pre-K Launch Workshop
Fundations® Pre-K supports students’ emerging understanding of the alphabetic principles of letter-sound associations and alphabetical order, and the written language skill of manuscript letter formation. Skills taught and practiced in Fundations® Pre-K include: letter-sound knowledge; forming key linkages between letter names, formations, and sounds; the alphabetic principle; alphabetic order; and letter formation and handwriting.
Wilson Language Training Courses | Online, Synchronous, Workshop
Sept. 23, 2024 (#1495)
or
Mar. 24, 2025 (#1496)
Fundations®
Wilson Fundations® uses a research-based approach and teacher-friendly materials to set teachers and students up for success. Fundations® ensures that K–3 educators have everything they need to teach with a carefully-structured reading and spelling curriculum using multisensory techniques.
Wilson Language Training Courses | Online, Synchronous, Workshop
One-Day Fundations® Workshop:
Level K: Oct. 3
Level 1: Nov. 1
Level 2: Aug. 9 or Nov. 22
Level 3: Aug. 13 or Dec. 6
Contact jconant@sterncenter.org for questions on availability for “closed” workshops.
Orthographic Processing: What Is It Really?
This interactive workshop will focus on the orthographic processor: what it is, how it develops, and what it means for instruction. We will look at the reading brain, and the importance of speech sound awareness as a foundation for word recognition fluency, the development of the orthographic lexicon (sight word vocabulary), and more.
Assessments & Evaluation Courses, Literacy Courses | Online, Synchronous, Workshop
Oct. 8
Putting Adolescent Literacy in Focus: A Three-Part Course on Adolescent Literacy
Not every student is ready to read to learn by the fourth grade. In this course, you will have the opportunity to dive into those areas of adolescent literacy that are most relevant to supporting the success of your adolescent students. Additionally, each of the three parts includes practical suggestions for better understanding and addressing the needs of older struggling readers.
Assessments & Evaluation Courses, Literacy Courses | Asynchronous, Online
Course access begins:
Oct. 14
Registration closes:
Oct. 7
See full description for coaching options.
Wilson Reading System® Introductory Course
This course provides participants with an overview of the Wilson Reading System® (WRS) 4th Edition curriculum and serves as the prerequisite for WRS Level I Certification. Over three consecutive days (16.5 hours), this course examines how WRS addresses the teaching of phonemic awareness, word identification, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension through an integrated study of phonology, morphology, and orthography with students in grade two and above with persistent phonological coding deficits.
Wilson Language Training Courses | Online, Synchronous, Workshop
Oct. 28-30, 2024
or
Mar. 25-27, 2025
Progress Monitoring for Written Expression
How do we measure student progress in written expression as a foundation for classroom instruction? This workshop will focus on different ways to measure progress in writing. We will compare both formal and informal assessment, and what different types of tests contribute to our knowledge of students. We will discuss what we are measuring, what we are learning, and how we link these results to effective instructional practices.
Assessments & Evaluation Courses, Literacy Courses | Online, Synchronous, Workshop
Nov. 5
Fluency: Linking Assessment to Instruction
There is a wide variety of tools to assess fluency, from word-level automaticity tests to silent reading measures. However, choosing the right assessment is crucial. This workshop equips you to evaluate reading fluency assessments, make informed decisions, and compare assessment types.
Assessments & Evaluation Courses, Literacy Courses | Online, Synchronous, Workshop
Nov. 19
Dysgraphia: Identification, Assessment, and Intervention
This workshop will focus on what we know about the writing process, the underlying skills that make communication in print possible, and what they mean for classroom instruction. We will examine the tools used for progress monitoring and assessment, as well as the profiles of students with writing difficulty. Participants will leave this workshop with an understanding of how writing develops and how to use assessment as a foundation for improving the writing skills of all students in the classroom.
Assessments & Evaluation Courses, Literacy Courses | Online, Synchronous, Workshop
Oct. 22
The Power of Assessment: Effective Tools for Guiding Instruction
This interactive course focuses on issues related to the assessment of reading, spelling, and writing—including identifying early signs of trouble, diagnosing dyslexia and dysgraphia, and communicating test results to parents and other educators.
Assessments & Evaluation Courses, Literacy Courses | Course, Online, Synchronous
Jan. 7 | Jan. 21 | Jan. 28 | Feb. 11 | Feb. 18 | Mar. 4 | Mar. 11 | Mar. 18 | Apr. 8 | Apr. 15
Testing 101: Everything You Wanted to Know About Assessment but Were Afraid to Ask
Sign up for this workshop to get a refresher on the basics of assessment, progress monitoring, and standardized norm referenced testing. Submit your questions ahead of time or bring them to the workshop to get them answered by Dr. Melissa Farrall!
Assessments & Evaluation Courses, Literacy Courses | Online, Synchronous, Workshop
Dec. 3
Reading and the Brain
This interactive course is designed for the Orton-Gillingham (OG) or Structured Literacy (SL) educator who already has a basic understanding of the structure of the English language and wishes to learn more about the neuroscience of reading. You will leave with an in-depth understanding of phonemic proficiency, phonology, reading and spelling development, reading fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and sentence structure. You will learn practical strategies you can immediately implement.
Orton-Gillingham Training Courses | Course, Online, Synchronous
Jan. 14 | Jan. 30 | Feb. 13 | Mar. 13 | Apr. 10 | May 8
Orton-Gillingham: Diagnostic Assessment Workshop Series
Do you want to build a deeper understanding of the developmental progression of reading skills and know how to link assessment to instruction? This workshop series explores how to administer a comprehensive diagnostic assessment, how to analyze the results, and how to use an Orton-Gillingham scope and sequence to meet the needs of your learners.
Assessments & Evaluation Courses, Orton-Gillingham Training Courses | Course, Online, Synchronous
2024
Aug. 5 | 8:30 AM–3:30 PM EST
Nov. 11 | 12:30–3:30 PM EST
2025
Jan. 13 | 12:30–3:30 PM EST
Introduction to Orton-Gillingham: Classroom Educator K-2 (fall)
The Orton-Gillingham (OG) Approach is the underlying foundation of all multisensory, structured literacy instruction. This course provides an overview of the structure of the English language and how to teach it sequentially and systematically. It covers teaching the OG lesson in K–2 classrooms and meets the coursework requirements for Orton-Gillingham Academy Classroom Educator Level.
Orton-Gillingham Training Courses | Course, Online, Synchronous
Sept. 20 | Sept. 27 | Oct. 18 | Nov. 8 | Nov. 22 | Dec. 4
When Writing is Hard: Written Language Disorders and Dysgraphia
Writing can be challenging, and our understanding of the writing process impacts how we teach, assess, and respond to our students. Participants will leave this workshop with an understanding of how writing develops, the root causes of most writing problems, tools for progress monitoring, and areas of support that children require to express their thoughts on paper.
Assessments & Evaluation Courses | Course, Online, Synchronous
Summer 2025 dates TBD
Around the Block: Navigating OG and Your K-4 Literacy Block
Having a hard time fitting in all your literacy instruction? This workshop will enable you to make the most of your literacy block by balancing whole group and small group instructional time. You will learn how to maintain a perky pace to keep students engaged, as well as planning targeted small group activities. This workshop will cover progress monitoring, class-wide mastery criteria, and how to provide cumulative review as you progress through the Scope & Sequence.
Orton-Gillingham Training Courses | Online, Synchronous, Workshop
Oct. 10, 2024 | Jan. 21, 2025
Introduction to Orton-Gillingham for Upper Grades
The Orton-Gillingham (OG) Approach is the underlying foundation of all multisensory, structured literacy instruction. You will gain a basic understanding of the OG Approach and learn how to design integrated reading and spelling lessons for grades 3-12. You will leave class with a detailed guide for teaching suffixes, prefixes, Greek, and Latin roots. This interactive online course will cover the structure of the English language and how to teach it sequentially.
Orton-Gillingham Training Courses | Course, Online, Synchronous
Jan. 10 | 8:00 AM–3:30 PM EST
Jan. 24 | 8:00 AM–3:30 PM EST
Feb. 7 | 8:00 AM–3:30 PM EST
March 7 | 8:00 AM–3:30 PM EST
March 28 | 8:00 AM–3:30 PM EST
April 11 | 12:30–3:30 PM EST
Structured Literacy Collaborative – School Year 2024-2025
Improve literacy outcomes in your classroom by learning how to meet the literacy needs of every student. In addition to providing educators with evidence-based literacy practices, data-driven decision-making, informative workshops, and transformational coaching, the Stern Center’s Structured Literacy Collaborative provides educators with a deep understanding of foundational reading skills and how to best teach them.
Literacy Courses | Online, Synchronous, Workshop
Whole Group Meetings:
- Sept. 25, 2024
- Nov. 20, 2024
- Jan. 29, 2025
- March 19, 2025
- May 21, 2025
Coaching Meetings: To be determined
Structured Literacy Collaborative II−School Year 2024-2025
Transform yourself and your classroom by taking your knowledge of Structured Literacy beyond the fundamentals. Our Structured Literacy Collaborative II will equip you with the tools and expertise of everything that goes into language comprehension, including syntax, sentence comprehension, and grammar; vocabulary; fluency; and morphology and etymology.
Literacy Courses | Course, Online, Synchronous
Whole Group Meetings
- Sept. 26, 2024
- Nov. 21, 2024
- Jan. 30, 2025
- March 20, 2025
- May 22, 2025
Coaching Meetings: To be determined
The Art & Science of Instructional Coaching: School Year 2024-2025
Are you an instructional coach, a coach who focuses on literacy instruction, or an administrator who would like to incorporate a coaching-focused leadership model? Are you wondering how to grow your coaching skills to make the most impact on teachers and students? In this year-long series, we will explore the art and science of instructional coaching. Participants will come together as a collaborative to better understand coaching and help support one another in these challenging roles.
Literacy Courses | Course, Online, Synchronous
2024:
Sept. 10 | Oct. 8 | Nov. 5 | Dec. 3
2025:
Jan. 14 | Feb. 11 | Mar. 11 | Apr.8 | May 6 | Jun. 3
IEP Goal Writing Aligned to the Science of Reading
In this interactive two-part workshop series, you will learn how to construct IEP goals and objectives aligned to the Science of Reading. You’ll participate in a case study and create your own goals/objectives based off of your current students. You’ll come away with a deeper level of understanding and practical strategies, methods, and tools that can be used when writing goals and objectives.
Assessments & Evaluation Courses, Literacy Courses | Online, Synchronous, Workshop
October 16 & November 20
Participants must sign up for both workshops
What About Writing? Webinar Series
This asynchronous, self-paced webinar series helps educators build a thorough understanding of the science of writing and how to implement evidence-based techniques and activities into their writing instruction. This series focuses on the most current research on writing, theoretical models that underpin updated understandings of the factors that enable skilled writing, and best practices for writing instruction.
Literacy Courses | Asynchronous, Online, Webinar
On-demand
Spelling Rules Interactive Webinar: From the Basics to the Big Three
Are you curious about why and how we spell certain words in our English language? Would you like to feel more confident in answering students’ questions and explicitly teaching spelling rules to students? This asynchronous webinar will give you the knowledge and confidence to help your students master four short vowel spelling patterns and three suffix-adding rules.
Literacy Courses | Asynchronous, Online, Webinar
On-demand
Using Case Studies to Implement Effective Instruction
Learn practical strategies for how to analyze student data through case studies and how to respond based on student strengths and areas of need. Watch nationally recognized assessment expert Dr. Melissa Farrall facilitate webinars on how to assess student strengths and areas of need, determine appropriate interventions, link assessment data to instruction, and identify targeted responses grounded in evidence-based strategies.
Assessments & Evaluation Courses, Literacy Courses | Asynchronous, Online, Workshop
On-Demand
Structured Literacy Series: Focus on Language Comprehension
This five-part asynchronous, self-paced interactive webinar series goes beyond basic word recognition skills and addresses all that goes into reading comprehension, including syntax, sentence comprehension, and grammar; vocabulary; fluency; and morphology and etymology.
Literacy Courses | Asynchronous, Online, Webinar
On-demand
Foundations of Reading Webinar Series
What is Structured Literacy? In this asynchronous, self-paced interactive webinar series, you will learn the basics of structured literacy, with an emphasis on foundational word recognition skills. After completion of this training 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.
Literacy Courses | Asynchronous, Online, Webinar
On-demand
Orton-Gillingham Update & Refresh
This webinar is designed to review and update your knowledge of the Orton-Gillingham Approach if you have previously taken an OG course, especially through the Stern Center. This pre-recorded webinar will refresh your knowledge of the OG Approach and address several important updates, such as changes to the OG lesson plan.
Orton-Gillingham Training Courses | Asynchronous, Course, Online
Available On-Demand
Orton-Gillingham Advanced Morphology: Focus on Latin and Greek
This workshop is geared toward OG teachers whose students are ready to learn advanced morphology, including Latin roots and Greek combining forms. Participants will be provided with a detailed scope and sequence and word lists containing common Latin roots and affixes and Greek Combining Forms. Sample OG lesson plans and teaching activities will be shared in this interactive workshop.
Orton-Gillingham Training Courses | Asynchronous, Course, Online
Available On-Demand
Orton-Gillingham: Focus on Level II, Vowel Teams, & Beyond
Do you have questions about how to teach syllabication, vowel teams, r-controlled vowels, and spelling patterns, or questions as you progress to more advanced levels in your Scope and Sequence? This webinar, rich with multiple opportunities to practice and troubleshoot, is designed for Orton-Gillingham (OG) teachers with a basic understanding of the OG lesson plan and Scope and Sequence whose students are advancing in Level II of the OG Scope and Sequence.
Orton-Gillingham Training Courses | Asynchronous, Course, Online
Available On-Demand
Reading Comprehension: What, Why, and How
The Science of Reading does include comprehension! Explore what reading comprehension is, why it matters, and how to incorporate instructional practices based in the Science of Reading to support comprehension.
Literacy Courses | Asynchronous, Online, Webinar
Available on Demand
MindPlay Comprehensive Reading Course
MindPlay’s Comprehensive Reading Course was developed by leading literacy experts to give teachers, special educators, school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and anyone who wants to expand their knowledge of effective reading and spelling instruction, a strong foundation in reading science.
Literacy Courses | Asynchronous, Online, Workshop
Available On Demand
Orton-Gillingham: Robust Vocabulary
This workshop uses the Orton-Gillingham (OG) Approach to teach vocabulary with multisensory, research-based strategies that make vocabulary come alive. Carefully selecting the word list in your OG lesson plan is an important vehicle for teaching and reviewing vocabulary and critical thinking skills.
Orton-Gillingham Training Courses | Asynchronous, Online, Workshop
On-Demand
Building Blocks for Literacy
Building Blocks for Literacy® is a robust professional learning program for early care and education professionals to help ensure that our youngest learners are prepared for literacy success when they enter kindergarten.
Literacy Courses | Asynchronous, Online, Workshop
Available On Demand
Literacy Champions Symposium Webinars
Learn how we can grow strong readers and writers with these pre-recorded webinars from our Literacy Champions symposium. Join Louisa Moats, Ed.D. and Nancy Mather, Ph.D. as they unpack decades of research. Be a literacy champion!
Literacy Courses | Asynchronous, Online, Workshop
Available On Demand
How to Raise Resilient, Happy, and Confident Kids
Abby Roy, School Psychologist, shares practical strategies to help parents (and teachers!) know what to say and do to help children manage frustration, think flexibly, and learn the self-regulation skills they need to be happy and healthy. Together, we can be the parents we wish to be for our children.
Social-Emotional Learning Courses | Asynchronous, Online, Workshop
Available On Demand
Orton-Gillingham for Intervention: Associate Level Course & Practicum
In this course and practicum, you’ll dive into the structure of the English language and learn how to teach it sequentially and systemically to struggling readers, including students with dyslexia. This cumulative 72-hour course and 100-lesson practicum meet the Orton-Gillingham Academy’s Associate Level training requirements.
Orton-Gillingham Training Courses | Course, Online, Synchronous
Place me on the 2025-26 interest list
July 8 | July 10 | July 12 | July 15 | July 17 | July 19 | July 22
Just Words® Virtual Launch Workshop
Just Words ® is a highly explicit, multisensory decoding and spelling program for students in grades 4–12 and adults who have mild to moderate gaps in their decoding and spelling proficiency but do not require intensive intervention. The program is designed for students with below-average decoding and spelling scores and should be combined with other literature-rich programs.
Wilson Language Training Courses | Online, Synchronous, Workshop
June 11
Trauma-Informed Social Learning Course
This course focuses on defining, identifying, and understanding children’s developmental experiences—such as early adversity or autism—that negatively impact typical social development. Our goal is to help teachers and programs protect vulnerable learners and provide the knowledge and support needed for robust instruction in social-emotional learning.
Social-Emotional Learning Courses | Course, Online, Synchronous
June 24–27 (Monday–Thursday)
Orton-Gillingham Institute
Ensure every child becomes a reader with this multisensory approach to literacy instruction.
The respected Orton-Gillingham Academy accredits the Stern Center as a leader in training teachers. Through studies of reading and dyslexia, researchers have illuminated the neuroscience behind Orton-Gillingham’s decades-long classroom successes. Watch our video on Orton-Gillingham.
Wilson Language Training
Learn how to implement Wilson® Reading Programs effectively in your classroom and school.
Used in schools nationwide, Wilson Reading Programs teach students how to read and write using an explicit, systematic, structured, and multisensory approach. We are a Wilson® Accredited Training Partner and proud provider of high-quality online training in Fundations®, Just Words®, and the Wilson Reading System®.
Social Emotional Learning Courses
Discover the latest research about trauma and the brain and develop practical approaches for social-emotional learning.
In our SEL courses, you’ll define, identify, and understand how early experiences impact social development. Develop classroom strategies that help your students strengthen self-regulation to foster their learning.
Assessment and Evaluation Courses
For students with learning challenges, effective intervention hinges on accurate, well-designed assessment.
Learn from expert educational evaluators about identifying and optimizing students’ learning profiles and linking assessment to instruction.
MindPlay’s Comprehensive Reading Course
Developed by leading literacy experts, this online course is designed for educators who want to know how foundational reading skills align with the science of reading.
Learn strategies to enhance all aspects of reading performance, including phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, grammar, vocabulary and comprehension.
Building Blocks for Literacy
Building Blocks offers play-based exercises, activities, and strategies that promote language and early literacy skills.
Informed by the latest literacy research and packed with evidence-based practices, this online course teaches what research has shown about how our youngest learners develop reading readiness.
Our schoolwide literacy initiatives help teachers reach every reader:
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Meet Our Team
Get in Touch!
For questions about courses and workshops, email proflearning@sterncenter.org, call 802-878-2332, or fill out the form below.