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What Dyslexia Is, What It Isn’t, and Why It Matters
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT
What Dyslexia Is, What It Isn’t, and Why It Matters
Presented by Dr. Kelli Sandman‑Hurley, Author and Founder, Dyslexia Training Institute
Moderated by Cherie Pye, Manager, Product Marketing, Voyager Sopris Learning
Sponsored by Voyager Sopris Learning
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
Voyager Sopris Learning’s Dyslexia Awareness Week begins with a powerful, myth‑busting edWebinar led by Dr. Kelli Sandman‑Hurley, one of the nation’s most trusted voices in dyslexia education. In this kickoff session, Dr. Sandman‑Hurley gives educators a clear, accurate understanding of what dyslexia really is—and what it is not. She dispels common misconceptions, share real stories from students and adults with dyslexia, and demonstrate how these experiences can reshape the way teachers recognize and respond to reading difficulties.
The session opens with a fascinating dyslexia simulation that helps educators experience what struggling readers often feel. From there, Dr. Sandman‑Hurley explains why accurate knowledge matters: how misunderstandings can delay support, how early identification changes learning trajectories, and how effective intervention across all tiers ensures students with dyslexia get what they need to thrive. Her insights, grounded in years of work with learners of all ages, highlight the urgency of getting dyslexia right—and the hope that comes when we do.
Whether you’re a classroom teacher, specialist, or school leader, this recorded session will equip you with practical strategies, renewed clarity, and a deeper understanding of how to support students with dyslexia through effective instruction and intervention.
What To Learn:
- What dyslexia actually is—and the most common myths that get in the way
- How dyslexia feels for students through an interactive simulation
- How to recognize dyslexia in real classroom situations
- Why early identification matters for long‑term reading success
- How accurate understanding improves intervention and prevents students from slipping through the cracks
This record edWebinar will be of interest to PreK-12 teachers, literacy coaches, intervention specialists, school leaders, and district leaders.
This edWebinar is part of Dyslexia Awareness Week: Understanding Dyslexia, Empowering Educators, Transforming Outcomes.
About the Presenter
Dr. Kelli Sandman-Hurley is the author and Founder of the Dyslexia Training Institute. She is a national speaker, advocate, and expert witness for students and their families. She co-created and produced “Dyslexia for a Day: A Simulation of Dyslexia,” as well as writing the well-received books Dyslexia Advocate! How to Advocate for a Child with Dyslexia within the Public Education System; Dyslexia & Spelling: Making Sense of it All; and The Adult Side of Dyslexia. Dr. Sandman-Hurley earned a doctorate in literacy with a specialization in dyslexia from San Diego State University and the University of San Diego. Her love of language led her to earn an additional MA degree in linguistics from San Diego State University as well as a TESOL certificate from UC San Diego.
About the Moderator
Cherie Pye, Manager, Product Marketing at Voyager Sopris Learning, is committed to helping K–12 educators access solutions that truly support teaching and learning. She brings more than 15 years of experience in edtech and publishing, turning educator feedback into clear, meaningful communication that makes each program’s purpose unmistakably clear for teachers, interventionists, coaches, and administrators. Cherie’s work is grounded in listening deeply to educators, understanding their realities, and advocating for solutions that help them accelerate learning, strengthen instruction, and create more equitable outcomes for students.
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.
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
Voyager Sopris Learning® is the specialist in reading, writing, and math intervention. Fully focused on intervention, we have established four decades of results that demonstrate the efficacy of our solutions. Providing a holistic offering of reading, writing, and math interventions and assessments, our solutions help educators create strong, sustainable foundations to ensure academic success for all students.
