When Teach NYS collaborated with Wilson Reading on a special cohort for professional development, no one could have envisioned that more than a decade later, more than 150 yeshiva and day school educators would have completed the Wilson Reading System Level I Certification program. This program helps teachers learn a scientifically and empirically proven methodology to help struggling readers decode words, develop fluency, improve their spelling, and become successful readers.
One Brooklyn yeshiva teacher explained, “This program changed the way I teach, and it changed the life of the student I worked with. She entered my room as a struggling reader, unsure of even letter sounds, and left a confident reader. What an amazing program!” Another teacher remarked, “I learned things about the English language that I never knew, and I have been teaching for 20 years! It is such a thoroughly prepared program. Everything is there, and it really works with the students.”
The program takes an entire year to complete and consists of a 60-90 hour practicum of one-on-one tutoring of a struggling student. Teachers are observed 5 times over the year by a master Wilson trainer. In addition, there is a mandatory implementation session at the beginning of the year and an online word study course that runs parallel to the practicum.
To participate in the program, a teacher must have a BA or higher, work in a yeshiva or day school in New York City, receive recommendation from their principal or department head, and attend a 3-day workshop offered over the summer, the Wilson Reading System Introductory Workshop. Participants receive this training, valued at over $3,000, free of charge. The costs are paid for by NYC DOE Title II A funds and are made possible by the collaborative efforts of the yeshiva and day school representatives to the NYC DOE: Teach NYS, The Jewish Education Project, Sephardic Community Federation, UJO of Williamsburg, Agudath Yisroel, and others.
The introductory workshop will take place at our headquarters at 40 Rector St. on the 4th floor, from 9am-3pm, Tuesday July 16th through Thursday July 18th. There will be a small registration fee, and kosher breakfast and lunch will be provided.
While the introductory course can serve as a standalone, participants who are interested in the full year program will be given priority. For more information, please reach out to kanofskyy@teachcoalition.org.