For Teachers
Coaching Options
Coaching Drives Teacher Impact and Student Learning:
The Research
BETTER
TEACHING
+49%
IMPROVEMENT
Teachers who receive coaching improve their teaching nearly as much as moving from a first-year teacher to a veteran.
(Source: Annenberg Institute at Brown University, 2018)
HIGHER
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
+18%
BOOST
Students taught by coached teachers perform significantly better on academic assessments.
(Source: Annenberg Institute at Brown University, 2018)
MORE
EFFECTIVE PD
COACHING + WORKSHOPS
Pairing coaching with professional development has the greatest impact on sustained growth and effective implementation.
(Source: Education Next, 2018)
Why Coaching?
Choosing coaching is a powerful step toward professional growth and improved student outcomes. Coaching offers educators and administrators the space, time, and opportunity to refine existing strengths and gain new knowledge and skills. Our literacy coaches are collaborative partners who provide encouragement, constructive feedback, and practical tools to support instructional goals. It is a dynamic, nonjudgmental, non-evaluative experience rooted in collaboration, continuous improvement, and shared commitment to student success. By choosing coaching, participants will join a supportive, goal-oriented partnership that honors their expertise and empowers them to grow with clarity and confidence.
All teachers deserve support and guidance.
Our coaching is laser-focused to help teachers understand and apply the Science of Reading into their practice. Research shows that coaching, practice, and feedback are what drive change in classrooms and build capacity in systems. Stern Center coaches help teachers focus on applying their knowledge to practice and discuss activities, strategies, and methods participants can use the next day. We work to ensure our coaching is targeted to help transform teacher practice and student outcomes.
Our Coaching Model
New! One-on-One Structured Literacy Coaching Sessions
Identify & Explore
Coaches and educators collaborate to identify instructional needs and explore innovative strategies.
Learn & Apply
Educators measure the impact of their learning and application of new strategies through specific student outcomes.
Improve & Adapt
Educators and coaches refine strategies based on data, ensuring continuous improvement in student outcomes.
Flexible and Convenient
Gain personalized one-on-one support from an experienced educator to tackle your toughest teaching challenges. Our “ala carte” coaching sessions help you refine your practice through live, virtual sessions and self-reflection. Schedule sessions throughout the year to get support and guidance when you need it.
Individualized
Stern Center coaches account for individual differences and help facilitate progress and change through dialogue. We are non-evaluative and work to ensure each coaching session is individualized. Explore our coaching options if you are:
- Wondering how to refine your instructional skills
- In need of external support and guidance
- Looking for a thought partner
- Interested in self-reflection
- Feeling stuck and don’t know what to try next
Once we read your intake form, you will be matched with a specific coach that is best suited to your needs. That coach will then reach out to you to schedule your first session.
Transformative Change
If desired, participants can film themselves teaching a lesson or portion of lesson, watching and reflecting on their video, sharing their video and reflections with their coach, and receiving feedback. Although recording and watching yourself on video can be uncomfortable, research has shown over and over again that using video is a proven way to support teacher growth and development, and improve student achievement. Videos are a powerful transformational tool and allow participants to pinpoint areas of strengths and areas of growth, and receive support in all areas.
What the Research Has to Say
The Reading Crisis Affects…
Science of Reading Training
Interactive Science of Reading Courses
Build your knowledge of the Science of Reading with our Building the Foundations and Advanced Structured Literacy courses! Whether helping support students acquire foundational skills or deepening their comprehension, fluency, and meaning-making skills, these self-paced courses provide research-based strategies, interactive practice, and personalized coaching to help educators confidently support every learner, from early readers to adolescents.
Orton-Gillingham Training
Help every child have access to reading with this powerful, multisensory approach to teaching reading, writing, and spelling. The underlying foundation of all structured literacy instruction, the Orton-Gillingham Approach will benefit all readers, including individuals with dyslexia.
Wilson Language Training®
Used in schools nationwide, Wilson Reading Programs teach students how to read and write using an explicit, systematic, structured, and multisensory approach. The Stern Center is a Wilson® Accredited Training Partner and proud provider of high-quality online training in Fundations®, Just Words®, and the Wilson Reading System®.
Reading and Writing and Assessment
For students with reading and writing challenges, effective instruction and intervention hinges on accurate, well-designed assessment. Learn from expert educational evaluators about identifying and optimizing students’ learning profiles and linking assessment to instruction.
Supporting Teachers
Supporting Teachers and Professional Learning
The Cynthia K. Hoehl Institute for Excellence reduces costs to support educators seeking to excel in their profession through our programs. Learn more about Cynthia K. Hoehl, whose vision as an educator inspired a powerful legacy.
Frequently Asked 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.
Is there research to prove the efficacy of Wilson Language Training® Programs?
Wilson Language Training programs, materials, and professional learning are proven effective in developing the reading skills of individuals with a language-based learning disability or who have otherwise struggled to learn to read. Read more at wilsonlanguage.com.
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.
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.
How can I become certified in Orton-Gillingham?
The prerequisites to become certified in OG include earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and satisfactory completion of Associate-level requirements; 100 hours minimum of coursework by a Fellow, or by a Fellow in Training as designated by the Fellow; and 200 hours supervised practicum over two academic years minimum, which includes ten entire 4–60 minute lesson observations of the trainee by a Fellow on-site, unedited video or web-based applications.
What is the Orton-Gillingham Approach?
The Orton-Gillingham Approach is the underlying foundation of all multisensory, structured language instruction. Orton-Gillingham (OG) systematically teaches the structure of the English language by incorporating multisensory modalities in a structured yet flexible approach, ensuring student success. The Stern Center’s Orton-Gillingham Institute is the only organization in Vermont that provides OG training accredited by the Orton-Gillingham Academy. We offer coursework and practicum opportunities toward three certifications: OG Classroom Educator, OG Associate Level, and OG Certified Level.
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
We celebrate the dedication of our fellow educators and share their commitment
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.
