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Vocabulary in Focus: Evidence-Based Routines for Adolescent Learners
Thursday, October 29, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm EDT
Vocabulary in Focus: Evidence-Based Routines for Adolescent Learners
Presented by Monica Crumback, Experienced Educator, Structured Literacy Coach, Stern Center for Language and Learning
Moderated by Leigh Buettler, Former Educator, Current Director of Professional Learning, Stern Center for Language and Learning
Sponsored by Stern Center for Language and Learning
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
This edWebinar empowers educators working with adolescent learners and their administrators with an actionable, evidence-based framework for teaching vocabulary. Grounded in the Science of Reading, this session provides clear, practical ideas and activities for choosing, assessing, introducing, and reviewing vocabulary.
Key topics covered include:
- Choosing Vocabulary Words for Explicit Instruction: Exploring a checklist for choosing words with the highest utility in any text
- The Impact of Vocabulary on Reading Fluency, Reading Comprehension, and Written Expression: Highlighting recent research on the impact of vocabulary on student performance
- Whole Group vs. Small Group: Navigating when to deliver explicit, systematic whole-group instruction and how to organize data-driven small groups
- High-Engagement Routines: Implementing simple instructional routines, including a student-friendly template to use with any word
By the conclusion of this edWebinar, viewers will be able to:
- Select the right words from a text for explicit instruction
- Understand how to balance whole- and small-group instruction
- Identify and integrate high-yield, low-prep, efficient instructional routines to maximize student engagement
- Embed more vocabulary building and writing opportunities into existing daily routines
Viewers will walk away with the ability to examine whether their current instructional practices include the necessary components for successful vocabulary instruction in grades 4-12. This recorded edWebinar will be of interest to teachers of grades 4-12, school leaders, and district leaders.
About the Presenter
Monica Crumback is a Structured Literacy Coach at the Stern Center for Language and Learning. She has more than a decade of experience working with students, families, and educators as an Orton-Gillingham tutor, mentor, trainer, coach, presenter, and curriculum and instruction manager. She received her initial-level training at the Children’s Dyslexia Center of West Michigan and has since gained extensive experience working with students diagnosed with dyslexia as well as those living in poverty. She has seen and believes in the efficacy of evidence-based, multisensory instruction for all students. Monica received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Western Michigan University, magna cum laude. She regularly attends courses, conferences, and seminars relating to language instruction and meets all criteria for the International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council’s Instructor of Teaching level.
About the Moderator
As the Director of Professional Learning at the Stern Center for Language and Learning, Leigh Buettler leads strategic partnerships and literacy initiatives. She collaborates with administrators and educators to implement research-based frameworks that expand learning and drive academic success for all students. Leigh has been dedicated to the field of education since 2004, beginning her career as an adjunct lecturer at SUNY Albany. A former Teach For America corps member with an M.S.Ed. from Fordham University, her background spans roles as a middle and elementary educator and an instructional coach. Dual certified in General and Special Education, Leigh leverages her deep pedagogical expertise and extensive knowledge of the Science of Reading to bridge research and practice. She is committed to empowering educators with the evidence-based literacy tools necessary to foster inclusive, high-achieving learning environments where every student can become a proficient reader and writer.
Join the Be A Literacy Hero community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
The Stern Center for Language and Learning is an education-focused nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding the power of learning. Located in Williston, Vermont, and founded in 1983, The Stern Center’s professional team provides learning evaluations, one-on-one customized instruction, and professional training for educators.
