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«Back to all edWebinarsThe IDA Infographic and Structured Literacy: Clearing Up Misconceptions for Better Implementation
Thursday, March 27, 2025 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT
Presented by Dr. Simone Gibson, Associate Professor, Morgan State University; Dr. Endia Lindo, Associate Professor, Texas Christian University (TCU); Dr. Francisco Usero-Gonzalez, Assistant Professor in the Bilingual Education and ESL Programs, Sam Houston State University; and Dr. Altheria Caldera, CEO, Caldera and Associates Equity Consulting, LLC
Co-hosted by CORE Learning and The Reading League
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The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) infographic is a valuable tool for understanding Structured Literacy, but applying it effectively in real classrooms can be challenging. With so many components to consider, educators may find themselves unsure about certain aspects or facing misconceptions that make implementation harder than it needs to be. This third edWebinar of the Structured Literacy for Every Learner Summit is designed to provide clarity and practical guidance, helping educators use the infographic to strengthen their Structured Literacy practice.
Panelists will walk through key elements of the infographic, address common points of confusion, and discuss how it connects to evidence-based reading instruction. The conversation will focus on how to apply these principles in diverse classrooms while keeping instruction clear, effective, and equitable. Attendees will gain:
- A deeper understanding of the IDA infographic and its role in Structured Literacy
- Insights into common challenges and how to navigate them
- Practical guidance for ensuring instruction stays aligned with reading science
Join literacy leaders for a thoughtful discussion on making Structured Literacy implementation more effective and accessible for all K-12 educators. There will be time for questions at the end of the presentation.
This edWebinar is part of the Structured Literacy for Every Learner Summit.
About the Presenters
Dr. Simone Gibson is the Assistant Director for Literacy at the National Center for the Elimination of Educational Disparities (NCEED) and an Associate Professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Morgan State University. A former classroom educator in Howard County, Baltimore City, and Prince George’s County Public Schools, she brings extensive experience to her work. As a literacy specialist, Dr. Gibson focuses on research and professional development that helps pre-service and in-service teachers integrate culturally humble and evidence-based practices into literacy instruction. She has also published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals.
Endia J. Lindo, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Special Education at Texas Christian University and core faculty in the Alice Neeley Special Education Research and Service (ANSERS) Institute. A former elementary resource teacher, she earned her Ph.D. in special education from Vanderbilt University and completed an Institute of Education Science (IES) Postdoctoral Fellowship at Georgia State University. She is an executive board member and past president of the Council for Exceptional Children’s (CEC) Division for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Exceptional Learners (DDEL) and program chair for CEC’s social justice initiative, Project 20/20.
Dr. Lindo co-edits Exceptional Children and serves on editorial boards for several academic journals. Her research focuses on improving reading comprehension for students with learning disabilities and advancing educators’ cultural competence. As a critical quantitative researcher, she examines and strengthens interventions for students facing intersecting challenges, including disability, poverty, and cultural and linguistic differences.
Dr. Francisco Usero-Gonzalez is an Assistant Professor in the Bilingual Education and ESL programs at Sam Houston State University. Originally from Tocina-Los Rosales, Spain, Francisco began his career in tourism before following his true passion—education. His journey has taken him across Spain, France, and the United Kingdom, teaching in multilingual classrooms before moving to Houston through an exchange program in 2015.
As a bilingual Pre-K teacher in Houston ISD, he developed a deep interest in the intersection of bilingual education and learning disabilities, particularly dyslexia. Drawing from his personal experience overcoming a childhood stutter, Francisco is committed to creating inclusive learning environments that celebrate linguistic and cultural diversity. He is also the founder of Club Leo, a Spanish book club that fosters a love of reading. In addition to teaching, Francisco consults with schools to bridge bilingual and special education, advocating for equitable learning opportunities for all students.
Dr. Altheria Caldera is a racial equity leader, educator, and researcher with expertise in culturally relevant pedagogies, antiracist education, education policy, and language and literacy. She is the CEO of Caldera and Associates Equity Consulting, LLC, and serves as a University Professor at American University and the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.
A proud first-generation and HBCU (Stillman College) graduate, Dr. Caldera’s work is deeply influenced by her experiences as a Black girl growing up in Alabama. She earned a Ph.D. in curriculum studies and a graduate certificate in women and gender studies from Texas Christian University. With nearly two dozen peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, her research explores how educators can advance equity for students of color and economically disadvantaged students. Through her consulting work, she helps organizations develop intentional, mission-aligned strategies to ensure communities of color see themselves in educational movements and initiatives.
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
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For 25+ years, CORE has pioneered evidence-based and research-grounded professional learning experiences and school supports that equip educators with the tools they need to advance rigorous instruction, high-quality materials, and effective assessments. CORE partners with educators to strengthen the foundations of teaching and learning, ensuring all students experience a rigorous, relevant, and inclusive public education.
The Reading League is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the awareness, understanding, and use of evidence-aligned reading instruction. Their mission is to ensure all educators employ practices rooted in the science of reading, leading to successful literacy outcomes for every student. Committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, The Reading League offers resources such as professional development partnerships, an annual conference, a peer-reviewed journal, and various educational materials. By fostering collaboration among educators, researchers, and policymakers, they strive to transform reading education and empower all learners.
