IN Canon-Mac Fall 2019 | Page 44

Canon-McMillan Teachers Receive Wilson Level 1 Certification t is a proud moment and a tremendous asset to have thirteen new Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner certified educators working within the Canon-McMillan School District. The Wilson Reading System (WRS) is an instructional program used to help struggling readers. It is one of several programs that uses the highly structured Orton–Gillingham approach and follows the guide of a scientific and systematic approach to teaching word structure and spelling. Level 1 Wilson Certified Teachers are nationally recognized by the International Dyslexia Association. One of Canon-McMillan School District’s initiatives is to ensure that our teachers are receiving professional development as it relates to the best practices in structured literacy. Last year, CMSD certified one cohort of 13 teachers in the WRS program and will be expanding this training to another group of educators during the 2019-2020 school year. Educators working within the Reading and Special Education Departments in grades K-9 are among the first to participate in this initiative. 42 CANON-MAC Following this learning opportunity, the benefit and outcome will most likely be felt by the students themselves regardless of their ability levels. Pairing students with educators who have been deeply and explicitly trained in the systematic science of reading will ultimately be a tremendous asset for all. Canon-McMillan School District would like to extend a “Congratulations,” to the following Canon-McMillan teachers who recently received their Wilson Level 1 Certification and are now credentialed Wilson Dyslexia Practitioners: Jessica Brito, Michelle Valentic, Jennifer Morgan, Madison Palyas, Lindsay Fiscus, Jennifer Auman, Shanon Cimarolli, Heather Merry, Dana Buttlar, Amanda Hackett, Bethany West, Lynn Brunner, and April Lowden. Joining these previously mentioned educators is Makenzie Buhman who achieved the Wilson Level 2 Certification naming her a Wilson Dyslexia Therapist. A continued thank you goes out to all of our teachers who strive to uphold high standards at the Canon-McMillan School District.