As we approach the Pesach season and begin to see the end of the school year on the horizon, we are launching recruitment for our 13th Wilson Reading System 3-day Introductory Workshop, held each summer. There are two ways to participate in this opportunity. Teachers may attend the 3-day workshop as a standalone professional development experience, gaining practical, immediately usable strategies for reading instruction. Alternatively, the workshop also serves as the required first step for those who wish to continue into the full Wilson Level I Certification Cohort for the 2026–2027 school year.
By the end of this school year, we will surpass the 200-teacher mark for educators who have earned Level I Certification through our cohort, a significant milestone that reflects the program’s impact across our schools. One participating school recently shared the following reflection after working with the program and its longtime facilitator, Sharon Grunfield, who has led the cohort since its inception: “We have seen a remarkable shift in the classroom: students are more confident, more engaged, and genuinely excited about reading. Teachers consistently describe this training as transformative.”
The introductory workshop will take place at our headquarters at 40 Rector St., 4th floor, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Tuesday, July 14 through Thursday, July 16. A small registration fee applies, and kosher breakfast and lunch will be provided. The registration link will be shared shortly. Teachers who choose to attend only the workshop will still benefit from meaningful professional development; however, those interested in certification must complete this workshop in order to be eligible for the full program.
The Level I Certification program is a separate, year-long commitment that runs throughout the 2026–2027 school year. It includes a 60–90 hour practicum of one-on-one tutoring with a student, five observations by a master Wilson trainer, a mandatory implementation session at the beginning of the year, and an online word study course that runs alongside the practicum. Upon successful completion of all requirements, participants earn Wilson Level I Certification.
To participate, teachers must hold a BA or higher, work in a New York City yeshiva or day school, receive a recommendation from their principal or department head, and attend the summer introductory workshop. Space is limited, and participants will be selected based on eligibility and school needs. Teachers who indicate interest in completing the full certification program will be given priority for placement in the cohort.
Participants receive training valued at over $3,000 at no cost, funded through NYC DOE Title II-A and made possible through the collaborative efforts of Teach NYS, The Jewish Education Project, Sephardic Community Federation, UJO of Williamsburg, Agudath Yisroel, and others.
If you are interested in participating in either the summer workshop or the full certification program, please reach out to kanofskyy@teachcoalition.org to learn more.