Spotlight on Timothy L. Johnson Academy!

Summer Training Successes
This summer was a busy and impactful season for the Slant System™ Structured Literacy training team. We hosted live online and in-person Foundations Courses, providing training to nearly 100 teachers from across the nation. These sessions focused on the Orton-Gillingham method, an evidence-based reading approach renowned for its effectiveness in dyslexia education. Participants in our courses were eager to deepen their understanding of the Science of Reading and structured literacy, with many planning to continue their journey through advanced literacy courses offered by the Slant System™.

Spotlight on Timothy L. Johnson Academy
A highlight of our summer was the continuation of Advanced Training and Practicum at Timothy L. Johnson Academy in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where 83% of the scholars are economically disadvantaged and 54% are English Language Learners. After completing their Structured Literacy Foundations course last school year, the academy’s educators embraced a comprehensive approach to literacy instruction, with the understanding that everyone at the academy teaches reading and writing. Superintendent Dawn Starks and her administrative team proactively prepared their teachers with multimodal literacy instruction training, anticipating new mandates from the Indiana Board of Education. The Slant System™ is proud to be included on the state’s List of Approved Trainings, ensuring that our programs meet rigorous standards. By the end of this school year, over 65 teachers at the academy will exceed the state’s requirement of 80 hours of professional development in the science of reading, and will be earning their Structured Literacy and Dyslexia Specialist Certification through the Slant System™. Embracing this spirit and providing in-depth training in structured literacy equips teachers with the tools necessary to help their scholars succeed.

Looking Ahead: Expanding Our Impact
Looking ahead, we are eager to expand our partnerships with schools across the Midwest and nationwide, and to initiate Advanced Training classes and Practicum for over 150 dedicated educators. These committed professionals are working toward their Structured Literacy and Dyslexia Specialist Certification, enhancing their expertise in teaching reading and implementing intervention programs. Our unwavering commitment to providing high-quality literacy training for educators continues to drive our mission to improve literacy outcomes for students nationwide.

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