Presented by Stacy Hurst, M.Ed., Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, Southern Utah University, and Chief Education Officer, Reading Horizons; and Donell Pons, MAT, M.Ed., Literacy and Reading Coordinator, American International School of Utah
Moderated by Jeanette Beninati, Marketing Director, Reading Horizons

Sponsored by Reading Horizons

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Closed captioning will be added to the recording within 2 weeks of the live presentation. Get a CE Certificate for this edWebinar Learn more.

They’re back and on track to make a difference in K-3 reading achievement. Reading Horizons’ Stacy Hurst, M.Ed. and Donell Pons, M.Ed. present the next in a series of edWebinars that focus on the how’s and why’s of achieving reading proficiency by Grade 3.

In this session, these literacy leaders provide a look at some of the biggest issues facing reading educators today. They unpack the ways teachers can start to improve their K-3 students’ reading achievements by integrating and using proven strategies to support teachers effectively. Viewers benefit from proven, practical guidance on how to select effective content for foundational reading instruction, with the goal of improving overall attainment. They also cover how to help teachers give much-needed support to struggling students often left to rely on guesswork to get by.

This edWebinar offers a look back at how reading education has evolved over the years and explore the importance of literacy programs grounded in reading science. Another key topic? Donell and Stacy tackle why, if incorrectly used, technology can sometimes do more harm than good in literacy instruction. Watch this session to leave with new perspectives and proven ways to help your struggling readers starting now!

This recorded edWebinar is of interest to K-3 teachers, librarians, school and district leaders, reading and literacy coaches and specialists, special education teachers and department chairs, district-level special education directors, professional development leaders, curriculum leaders, equity/inclusion/diversity leaders, school improvement leaders, and Title I and federal funding directors. 

Part 1 – Phonological and Phonemic Awareness: The What, Why, How, and Wow for Every Learner
Part 2 – K-3 Reading Across Grades and Content Areas: What, When, How Much, and With Whom?
Part 3 – If. Then. Next! Strategies and Support for Teaching K-3 Readers

About the Presenters

Stacy Hurst is an assistant professor of teacher education at Southern Utah University where she teaches courses in literacy and early childhood education. She has degrees in sociology and elementary education and a master’s degree in education. Her extensive experience also includes teaching first grade and working as a literacy coach and reading specialist. Stacy is the co-author of a foundational literacy program and is also the chief education officer at Reading Horizons, an educational software company that teaches structured literacy concepts through a blended software and direct instruction approach. Stacy is passionate about literacy and believes that learning how to read well is a civil right.

Donell Pons is the mother of two children with dyslexia. She is a dyslexia presenter, consultant and reading tutor. Ms. Pons received the Teacher of Tomorrow award when she completed a dual MED and MAT in teaching and learning from Westminster College. She was a member of the task force that wrote the Utah Dyslexia Handbook. Ms. Pons also has a special education certification and has taught secondary language arts and worked at a charter school focusing on supporting students on the autism spectrum. In 2016, Ms. Pons implemented a full literacy program at a public charter school, the American International School of Utah. Every educator and paraeducator K-5 was trained in the same structured literacy reading program. She has had numerous articles published in Language Magazine, The Learning Counsel, ASCD SmartBrief and Landmark Academy Newsletter regarding blended learning, reading instruction, and appropriate accommodations. She has also produced a nationally recognized three-part webcast series for Reading Horizons on teaching reading and recognizing dyslexia. Ms. Pons is currently teaching adults in the workplace who would like to improve their reading skills.

About the Moderator

Jeanette Beninati is a former educator with a strong background in strategic planning, education technology and training, and professional development. Her experience spans education, technology, assessment and instruction, consulting, training, efficacy research, and learning disabilities. In her role as Marketing Director, she oversees the company’s K-12 education marketing initiatives. Jeanette received both her undergraduate and M.Ed. degrees from Boston University.

Closed captioning will be added to the recording within 2 weeks of the live presentation.

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Reading Horizons supports educators with powerful tech-enabled foundational reading instruction that helps all students reach reading proficiency by the end of third grade. For nearly 40 years, Reading Horizons’ method has aligned with the evolution of the Science of Reading, empowering over 50,000 educators with evidence-based teaching strategies that prevent and remediate students’ reading difficulties. Reading momentum begins with Reading Horizons.