Explore our professional learning experiences designed to strengthen Structured Literacy practices and advance sustainable, evidence-based literacy instruction across all grade levels, for all students.
Our comprehensive professional development opportunities are designed to build educator capacity in implementing the science of reading. Whether you’re seeking individual growth or systemic change, we offer flexible learning pathways that include facilitated workshops, asynchronous courses, and leadership sessions. From foundational skills in early literacy to advanced strategies for comprehension and critical thinking, our offerings provide practical, classroom-ready tools that translate research into practice.
Professional learning is available for individual educators as well as school and district teams seeking job-embedded support. Beyond our county-wide workshop offerings, we partner with districts to provide customized coaching, curriculum alignment support, and professional development tailored to your school goals and student needs.
Contact a member of our literacy team to discuss how we can support your journey toward effective, equity-focused literacy implementation that ensures every student develops the skills to become a confident, proficient reader and writer.
Literacy Offerings
PaTTAN PA Science of Reading: Knowledge Course
This is a self-paced course with open enrollment until 12/10/2026. Coursework must be completed by 12/15/2026.
 This course is intended for anyone eager to understand more about the science of reading including classroom teachers, administrators, specialists, paraprofessionals, and families, and what it should look like in our Pennsylvania schools. This course also serves a part of the professional development requirement for all K-8 teachers detailed in Pennsylvania legislation. While it is intended to address kindergarten through 2nd grade levels, the information is applicable to all beginning and struggling readers, regardless of age.
Participants will be able to:
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- Define the terms science of reading and structured literacy.
- Understand what research explains about the reading brain and the implications for instruction.
- Identify the structured literacy components in classroom practice examples.
- Synthesize course content to develop a personal plan for aligning practices to the science of reading.
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Keys to Early Writing
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 | Facilitated Online Course
Virtual meetings held 11/11/26, 12/9/26, and 1/13/27 from 8:00am-9:00am
Keys to Early Writing is a practical course that provides the foundational knowledge needed to teach the components of beginning writing instruction. The research-based instructional suggestions are developmentally appropriate for young children in kindergarten through grade 2 and can be integrated with any instructional materials.
This is a hybrid offering with synchronous and asynchronous components.
The purpose is an opportunity for collaborative discussion where participants can exchange practical classroom applications, share insights, and address questions related to the effective implementation of instructional strategies from the online course.
SETTing Students Up for Success: Using Assistive Technology to Support Literacy Instruction
Thursday, November 12, 2026 | 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
Students with limited verbal abilities typically require some form of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication). AAC users may rely heavily on reading and writing skills for expressive communication; therefore, comprehensive literacy instruction is particularly important.
Join us to learn how to use the SETT Framework (Student, Environment, Tasks, Tools) to thoughtfully match assistive technology to student needs. This session will focus on practical strategies to support reading and writing, helping students access content, express their ideas, and build independence.
Co-presenter Kelsey Sprenkle is our Assistive Technology Consultant who works with educational teams in school districts across Montgomery County, aiding in assessment and implementation of assistive technology for students with special needs. She is a speech and language pathologist in addition to an assistive technology consultant. She specializes in creating solutions for students that will promote independence, foster communication, enhance their learning experiences, and support transition.
In this session, we will connect best practices of literacy instruction to AAC to ensure that students with more complex needs have meaningful opportunities to engage in reading and writing.
Teaching Foundational Skills to Older Readers: Word Recognition & Word Knowledge for Students in Grades 6-12
Wednesday, January 27, 2027 | 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
This interactive workshop will equip participants with practical strategies to support students in Grades 6-12 with the foundational skills of word recognition and word knowledge. Participants will explore how connected, research-backed components work together to power reading proficiency and engagement.
This workshop is tailored to secondary grades and will provide hands-on activities, demonstrations, and collaborative conversations with job-alike educators. Teachers will learn to seamlessly integrate foundational skills instruction within grade-level content without singling out struggling readers. Participants will leave with concrete lesson frameworks, resources, and a personalized action plan to immediately implement in their classrooms.
Whether you teach ELA, social studies, science, math, ELD, or electives, this workshop will transform how you support students beyond the elementary grades with the necessary decoding skills to tackle increasingly complex texts. The workshop emphasizes equity, empathy, and practical application- ensuring all students can access rigorous learning while developing the reading skills they need
Teaching Foundational Skills to Older Readers: Word Recognition & Word Knowledge for Students with Learning Disabilities in Grades 6-12
Tuesday, February 9, 2027 | 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
Designed for educators working with students with learning disabilities in Grades 6-12, this interactive workshop offers practical strategies for building word recognition and word knowledge in older struggling readers. Through hands-on activities, demonstrations, and collaborative planning, participants will learn to integrate foundational skills instruction seamlessly into grade-level content without singling out struggling readers.
This workshop centers on equity, empathy, and practical application, ensuring all students can access rigorous learning while developing the literacy skills they need to access increasingly complex texts. Participants will examine research-based approaches for addressing foundational skill gaps through Tier 1 core instruction and targeted intervention, exploring strategies for both whole-class instruction and more intensive support.
Leave with concrete lesson frameworks and ready-to-use resources you can implement immediately. Whether you teach ELA, social studies, science, math, ELD, or electives, this workshop will change how you support older struggling readers.
Strengthening Verbal Reasoning Explicit Instruction: Strategies to Deepen Comprehension and Critical Thinking in Grades 6-12
Thursday, March 4, 2027 | 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
There is a 3-hour asynchronous prerequisite course requirement that must be completed prior to the session. The in-person facilitated learning session will focus on enhancing verbal reasoning skills to support deeper reading comprehension and critical thinking among students in grades 6-12. Participants will explore how verbal reasoning- the ability to understand, analyze, and manipulate language- plays a central role in reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and written expression. The session will provide practical tools for integrating verbal reasoning explicit instruction into existing literacy routines, content-area instruction, and intervention settings. Participants will leave with ready-to-use resources and a clearer understanding of how to scaffold verbal reasoning to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Language Structure: Sentence Comprehension and Composition Grades 6-12
Thursday, April 8, 2027 | 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
Designed for educators in grades 6-12, this workshop explores the pivotal role sentence structure plays in both reading comprehension and written composition. Participants will dive into current research and examine how syntactic and grammatical structures directly impact student literacy. Because sentence-level mastery is the engine that propels students from conversational speech to formal written language, this session provides the practical tools needed to unlock the power of sentences and elevate your students’ skills.
Wilson® Language Training
The Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU) is part of the national network of Wilson® Accredited Training Partners.
Wilson Language Training® and Wilson Accredited Training Partners have received Accreditation Plus by the International Dyslexia Association® (IDA). This designation recognizes that Wilson Reading System® certifications align with the IDA’s Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading.
As a Wilson® Accredited Training Partner, MCIU is able to provide professional learning and support of all Wilson® research-based multisensory, structured reading and spelling programs for all ages. These hands-on professional learning programs are delivered by a Wilson® Credentialed Trainer.
Wilson Fundations® Virtual Level K Launch Workshop
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
This workshop will be held using a remote learning format. You will receive the course Zoom link and additional details prior to the start of the course.
Wilson Fundations® is a multisensory and systematic phonics, spelling, and handwriting program that benefits students in Kindergarten through third grade with a solid foundation for reading and spelling. Fundations provides for daily explicit and systematic instruction in areas necessary in effective reading, including: phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics, word and syllable study, vocabulary, sight word instruction, fluency, and word and sentence writing practice. Critical thinking, speaking and listening skills are practiced/modeled during regular story time activities. The workshop will provide teachers with an overview of program principles and guidelines for implementation.
Fundations Level K Launch Workshop- Introduces instructional techniques within phonological awareness and alphabetic principle. Kindergarten teachers will learn to use Fundations with a wide variety of text experiences, as well as expose students to poetry, narrative and informational text.
Wilson Fundations® Virtual Level 1 Launch Workshop
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
This workshop will be held using a remote learning format. You will receive the course Zoom link and additional details prior to the start of the course.
Wilson Fundations® is a multisensory and systematic phonics, spelling, and handwriting program that benefits students in Kindergarten through third grade with a solid foundation for reading and spelling. Fundations provides for daily explicit and systematic instruction in areas necessary in effective reading, including: phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics, word and syllable study, vocabulary, sight word instruction, fluency, and word and sentence writing practice. Critical thinking, speaking and listening skills are practiced/modeled during regular story time activities. The workshop will provide teachers with an overview of program principles and guidelines for implementation.
Fundations Level 1- Reinforces the basic skills that were learned in Kindergarten and progresses further into the study of word structure while combining Fundations with a wide variety of text experiences.
Wilson Fundations® Virtual Level 2 Launch Workshop
Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
This workshop will be held using a remote learning format. You will receive the course Zoom link and additional details prior to the start of the course.
Wilson Fundations® is a multisensory and systematic phonics, spelling, and handwriting program that benefits students in Kindergarten through third grade with a solid foundation for reading and spelling. Fundations provides for daily explicit and systematic instruction in areas necessary in effective reading, including: phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics, word and syllable study, vocabulary, sight word instruction, fluency, and word and sentence writing practice. Critical thinking, speaking and listening skills are practiced/modeled during regular story time activities. The workshop will provide teachers with an overview of program principles and guidelines for implementation.
Fundations Level 2 – Reinforces the skills taught in Level 1. In addition to learning more complex words structure for decoding and encoding, Level 2 students also work on fluency, vocabulary and comprehension skills.
Wilson Fundations® Virtual Level 3 Launch Workshop
Wednesday, September 22, 2026 | 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
This workshop will be held using a remote learning format. You will receive the course Zoom link and additional details prior to the start of the course.
The Fundations® Level 3 Launch introduces participants to a structured literacy approach to teaching foundational reading skills. This full day workshop is highly interactive and designed to allow for teacher input and active engagement via activities and discussions throughout as they develop competence with a research-based approach grounded in the science of reading. The Launch provides teachers with an overview of the third-grade curriculum and instructional activities, allowing them to delve into the materials and resources needed to teach the program and learn how to use the Teacher’s Manual to plan and deliver effective lessons. Upon completion, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to implement Fundations Level 3 in their classrooms with confidence, while making learning to read fun and laying the groundwork for lifelong literacy for their students.
Recent Literacy Posts
Making Connections between the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy
Learning Series: Literacy Instruction for Students with Complex Needs
Shifting the Literacy Landscape for Students with Complex NeedsÂ
Laying the Foundation for a Literate Life
Podcast Episodes
Meet the TeamÂ
Reach out to any of the team members for more information.Â
