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Empowering Older Readers: Science of Reading Strategies for Skills and Confidence
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm EDT
Presented by Dr. Rod Hart, Former Teacher, Current SIPPS Program Manager, Collaborative Classroom; Shellise Goulbourne, M.Ed., Former Teacher, Current Literacy Consultant; and Dr. Samantha Heller, Former Teacher, Current Professional Learning Consultant, Collaborative Classroom
Sponsored by Collaborative Classroom
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
This edWebinar is for anyone committed to the success of middle and high school striving readers—educators and school leaders alike. Together, we confront the urgent challenges older students face when foundational reading gaps persist, moving beyond misconceptions to share a clear, empathetic, and research-based roadmap for accelerated growth.
We begin with the human element: how meaningful connections and holding students in the highest regard create safe, motivating learning environments. You also learn Science-of-Reading-aligned strategies and routines for teaching decoding, morphology, and fluency—methods that are age appropriate, culturally responsive, and designed to build automaticity and confidence.
Finally, we move from theory to practice, exploring how to use specialized, age-appropriate materials and practical scheduling, grouping, and assessment strategies to accelerate learning without sacrificing dignity. Viewers leave with:
- A deeper understanding of why foundational skills are vital for older students’ success
- Research-based strategies that accelerate growth in decoding, morphology, and fluency
- Tools for fostering confidence, agency, and authentic love of reading
- Leadership strategies to create equitable literacy environments and sustain effective interventions
Join us to gain practical insights, strengthen your toolkit, and discover how collaborative, dignity-first instruction can restore confidence, accelerate achievement, and open doors for lifelong success. This isn’t just about reading scores; it’s about shaping lives! This recorded edWebinar is of interest to K-12 teachers, school leaders, and district leaders.
About the Presenters
Dr. Rod Hart serves as the SIPPS Program Manager at Collaborative Classroom, managing all aspects of the program, a structured literacy intervention focused on phonological awareness, phonics, and high-frequency words. With 30 years of experience in public education, he has worked as a teacher, school-based leader, and district leader. He served as a Literacy Specialist and Curriculum Specialist for Teach For America and as an instructor at the UMASS Amherst School of Education.
Dr. Hart holds a BA from Northwestern University, an MA in teaching and curriculum from Columbia University’s Teachers College, and an Ed.D. in teacher education and school improvement from UMASS Amherst. He began his career as an educator at Truman High School in the Bronx, NYC. Dr. Hart’s service as a Human Rights Commissioner in his hometown highlights his ongoing commitment to fostering community and advocating for access and opportunity for all.
Shellise Goulbourne, M.Ed., is a literacy consultant and doctoral candidate at Florida State University whose career spans roles as a teacher, coach, district literacy specialist, and state regional literacy director. Her current research centers on teachers’ self-efficacy in foundational literacy instruction. A Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI) certified educator, she specializes in instructional coaching, sustainable school turnaround efforts, and teacher efficacy.
Dr. Samantha Heller is a Professional Learning Consultant at the Center for the Collaborative Classroom, specializing in foundational skills reading curricula for K-12 students. She holds a Ph.D. in education from the University of Central Florida, where she instructs graduate-level instructional design courses. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Heller has worked as a classroom teacher, administrator, and, most recently, a district ELA literacy specialist. She has presented at numerous national conferences, passionately advocating for innovative and equitable educational practices.
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
Join the Empowering Struggling Readers community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
Collaborative Classroom is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization providing evidence-based, classroom-tested solutions for early childhood through grade 12. We are your partner in ensuring all children become fluent readers, skilled writers, and critical thinkers who learn from and respect one another. Our programs, products, and professional learning empower educators to grow their teaching practices and create the conditions for authentic, student-centered learning.
