The AOE offers high-quality asynchronous and synchronous virtual, in-person, or hybrid professional learning opportunities for all PreK-12 educators and leaders.
Virtual Workshop Series
The AOE is offering a series of free interactive virtual workshops designed to support educators and leaders who serve students in PK-12 and beyond in understanding and implementing evidence-based instructional practices to improve literacy outcomes. All workshops in this series will take place on the second Wednesday of the month, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Participants who attend live will have the opportunity to ask questions of the facilitators, participate in breakout rooms, and be in conversation with educators and leaders across the state.
Register now to attend the workshop series. All workshops will be recorded and shared with those who register. Join the Workshop Series Google Classroom for recordings, resource documents, and ongoing dialogue. Please email Leigh Buettler to join the Google Classroom. See below for information about each webinar in the series.
- Nov. 13, 2024: Overview of Explicit, Systematic, and Evidence-based Literacy Practices (YouTube link)
- Dec. 11, 2024: Reading Comprehension: An Introduction to Common Roadblocks and Strategies
- Jan. 8, 2025: Assessments: What Works, What Doesn’t, and Why?
- Feb. 12, 2025 – Explicit Vocabulary Instruction: Participants will learn evidence-based methods to teach new words, how to determine which new words to teach, and practical techniques for integrating vocabulary instruction across content areas and grade levels. Attendees will leave with strategies and tools to intentionally and explicitly teach vocabulary to increase students’ reading comprehension.
- Mar. 12, 2025 – Phonemic Awareness and Reading and Spelling Development: This workshop focuses on the critical connections among phonemic awareness, reading, and spelling instruction. Participants will learn how phonemic awareness skills directly support word recognition and spelling accuracy, stages students move through in reading and spelling development, and how to help them progress through the stages.
- Mar. 26, 2025 – Adolescent Readers: This workshop is designed to empower educators and leaders in supporting adolescent students who are striving readers across grades and into adulthood. Participants will explore the causes and impacts of adolescent reading challenges and instructional practices that address them.
- Apr. 9, 2025 – Phonics: Understanding phonics can help educators and leaders effectively support students and make instructional decisions. Participants will learn about the importance of sound-symbol relationships and their role in supporting students' literacy development, understand the importance of decodable text, and explore practical strategies and tools. Attendees will gain actionable insights, tools, and strategies to help improve student outcomes.
Job-Embedded Coaching
The first phase of Read Vermont coaching offers free, intensive, personalized support for at least 100 PK-3 educators and 40 educational leaders/administrators in Vermont elementary schools, from January 2025 through February 2026. Learn more in the Overview of Read Vermont Job-Embedded Coaching Opportunity document.
Asynchronous Literacy Professional Learning Series
Vermont educators can register for and take all six modules of the literacy professional learning series, Building a Strong Foundation for Lifelong Literacy Success, today! There are six asynchronous modules for both grades K-3 and grades 4-12, based on the body of evidence that informs effective reading instruction.
| Modules for Grades K-3 | Modules for Grades 4-12 |
|---|---|
| Module 1: Understanding the Neuroscience of Literacy | Module 1: Understanding the Neuroscience of Literacy |
| Module 2: Exploring Language and Phonology | Module 2: Exploring Adolescent Literacy |
| Module 3: Understanding Phonics and Word Study Instruction | Module 3: Implementing Advanced Word Study |
| Module 4: Creating Fluent Readers | Module 4: Creating Fluent Readers |
| Module 5: Developing Vocabulary | Module 5: Developing Vocabulary |
| Module 6: Increasing Reading Comprehension | Module 6: Increasing Reading Comprehension |
Each module will take 6-8 hours to complete, and the full series is 45 hours. Educators can download a certificate of completion at the end of each module that can be used for re-licensure with Local Standards Boards. Facilitator’s guides for each module are now available in the Learning Management System, Pepper’s, resources.
Learn more about the series from the introductory webinar slide deck and recording. You can also view Frequently Asked Questions about the series from the webinar. Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.