by Jen Darrow
Have you ever had a student who did not know their letters and sounds coming into first grade? Who could not segment or blend sounds?
Over the past six years Crystal, a first grade teacher, and I, a special educator, have had many students who fit this profile. We were unable to find the key for these struggling readers and were becoming frustrated at not having the proper tools to meet these students’ needs. When consulting with outside sources, specialists would often recommend Orton-Gillingham (O-G). Due to lack of training, we were unable to offer this multi-sensory literacy approach to our students.
When given the opportunity to take O-G training through the Cynthia K. Hoehl Institute for Excellence at the Stern Center, we were eager to participate. We took a 30-hour Orton-Gillingham Classroom Educator course over the summer and dove headfirst into a yearlong 50 hour practicum. Thanks to a grant from the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators for 1st through 3rd grade classroom teachers, Crystal and several other classroom teachers were able to participate in the O-G course and practicum. Currently, there are six staff members at my school (three are special educators) doing this work.
