Arizona Department of Education’s Exceptional Student Services is bringing a LETRS for Early Childhood Educators TOT Institute to Arizona.
LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) for Early Childhood Educators is foundational professional development for early childhood educators helping pre-kindergarten and kindergarten children learn the early literacy and language skills shown in research to be critical for later success. This professional development will provide educators with an understanding of the foundations of language and help them gain instructional strategies to complement their teaching practices. This course of study will:
- Build a bridge between research and practice
- Cultivate knowledge about teaching literacy and language
- Provide practical strategies that work for different types of learners
- Engage teachers with real-world application
LETRS for Early Childhood Educators was created by Lucy Hart Paulson and Louisa Moats, both internationally known reading experts, teachers, and researchers on the topics of early literacy, reading, spelling, and language.
Because the Arizona Department of Education is sponsoring this LETRS for Early Childhood Educators TOT Institute to build capacity within our state, representatives from schools/charters/LEAs/regional centers who have responsibility for the professional development of Pre-K–3 teachers and/or Pre-K–3 special education teachers are encouraged to apply. The LETRS for Early Childhood Educators TOT Institute is designed primarily for certified staff developers and school leaders with experience and background in teaching and assessing reading. Enrollment in the institute is limited to 35 participants and is reserved for certified candidates who are currently responsible for staff development.