Orton-Gillingham Training

Free training in the Orton-Gillingham method is available for Massachusetts educators currently working in grades K-3! Apply today for this opportunity to learn evidence-based strategies to support students with reading difficulties. Educators who complete this course will receive a certificate of completion.

What is Orton-Gillingham?

Orton-Gillingham is a highly structured approach that breaks reading and spelling down into smaller skills involving letters and sounds, and then building on these skills over time. It was the first approach to use explicit, direct, sequential, systematic, multi-sensory instruction to teach reading, which is not only effective for all students but essential for teaching students with dyslexia (via IMSE’s website).

What is IMSE?

IMSE’s mission is to empower districts, schools, teachers, and parents to be agents of change toward equitable literacy instruction for all learners that is driven by research.

This is accomplished through intellectual conversations driven by data to design and implement curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices. IMSE fosters relationships to help shift a school’s culture to be equitable for all by providing resources for all and advocating for students to all stakeholders. We believe that all students can learn, and all teachers can learn to teach them (via IMSE’s website).

Course Dates, Times, and Requirements:

In partnership with the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE) we are offering two virtual live cohorts for this training. There will be a winter and spring cohort offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00pm – 7:15pm. This will be 3 hours of training with an embedded 15 minute break. Once accepted, you will be invited to the training which will occur over 10 Zoom sessions.

Winter Session	Spring Session
Jan 20 & 22 Feb 3 & 5 March 10 & 12 March 31 & April 2 April 7 & 9	March 31 & April 2 April 7 & 9 April 28 & 30 May 5 & 7 May 19 & 21

Eligibility:

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Licensed Reading Specialists, Special Education teachers, and educators responsible for delivering specialized literacy or special education instruction to students in grades K–3 (e.g. inclusion teachers, interventionists) who are currently working in grades K-3 in a Massachusetts public school.
Must be able to commit to attending all sessions and completing the course in full before applying.

Priority Enrollment Given To:

Licensed Special Education teachers or Reading Specialists
Educators who are employed by:
- Schools and districts in the Strategic Transformation Region
- an LEA with a minimum high needs student population percentage of 55%

How To Apply

Interested educators can submit a short application using the form linked below. Be prepared to provide the following information:

Educator Information including prior relevant training and Massachusetts Educator License Number.
District/School Leader Endorsement for commitment to support implementing learning back in the school/LEA and confirming employment/position. We recommend downloading the District Endorsement Form in advance.

Apply Now

Orton-Gillingham FAQs

If you have a question that is not answered below, please email institutes@hillforliteracy.com.

I am not currently working in grades K-3. Can I still apply?

Unfortunately, no. This opportunity is only for educators currently working in grades K-3. Educators in other grades are not eligible and we are unable to make exceptions to this requirement.

I am not a licensed reading specialist or special education teacher. Can I still apply?

Possibly! Other educators responsible for delivering specialized literacy or special education instruction to students in grades K–3 such as inclusion teachers or interventionists are also eligible. If that describes your role, you may apply for the training.

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Literacy Launch Institutes are presented by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education and HILL for Literacy, in collaboration with:

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