Strong Literacy Instruction Changes Lives.

To most effectively support students’ literacy development, educators need preparation that is research-based and practical, and that equips them to respond to the diverse needs of the students they serve.  To meet that need, The Rose Institute for Learning and Literacy is proud to offer Orton-Gillingham training and practicums. 

Orton-Gillingham training provides a practical, structured framework for delivering explicit instruction that supports all learners, including students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences.  Orton-Gillingham mentored practicums provide educators with an opportunity to develop confidence and success in implementing this knowledge with their students. There are two distinct certification pathways: Classroom Educator and Associate Level.  We also offer Classroom Educator Plus for those who have taken Classroom Educator and would like additional knowledge, but do not want certification to work with students with dyslexia. 

Classroom Educator Training   

This training introduces participants to the fundamental elements of an Orton-Gillingham based approach characterized by explicit teaching of foundational literacy skills. The course includes an introduction to phonology and basic phonics, and focuses on instruction to promote fluency, vocabulary acquisition, and an understanding of the structure of the language. The content includes information on dyslexia and language-based learning disabilities, strategies for multisensory instruction, using assessment results for small/large group lessons, and planning an Orton-Gillingham lesson. The scientifically based methodology is explicit, interactive, diagnostic, multisensory, and integrated. 

The course is designed for general and special-education teachers, administrators, curriculum specialists, and speech and reading specialists, and is recommended for instructional assistants and tutors. This pathway is coursework and the first step towards Classroom Educator certification from the Orton-Gillingham Academy. Those seeking Academy certification must also complete a Classroom Educator practicum before applying. 

Associate Level Training 

Associate Level is intended for practitioners working with students with dyslexia in a one-on-one setting.  It includes the six types of syllables in the English language and the five ways to divide words into syllables.  It also includes vocabulary, Latin prefixes, roots, and suffixes, writing sentences, paragraphs, and essays, as well as reading and interpreting a neuro-psychological report and how those scores impact the student.  The course ends with a practice session of each trainee teaching a ten-minute lesson to be evaluated for its strengths and weaknesses.  Videos are used to help see the flow of the lesson, as well as a lesson plan from start to finish, with a middle school student learning Latin.  Trainees are also provided time to practice teaching one another to make a meaningful impact on their learning. Successful completion of the Associate Level training and one-on-one Associate Level practicum qualifies the teacher to apply for Orton-Gillingham Associate Level Certification from The Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (additional $200 fee per applicant).  Associate practitioners are certified by the Orton-Gillingham Academy to provide Orton-Gillingham instruction in accordance with the Associate Level standards described in the Orton-Gillingham Academy Curriculum Handbook. 

Classroom Educator Plus (not towards certification) 

Classroom Educator Plus is for individuals who have already attended thirty-hours of Orton-Gillingham Classroom Educator coursework and would like to move beyond the basics. This course will include how to incorporate background information on building vocabulary, as well as how to incorporate a variety of activities to expand vocabulary for students. It will also include how to teach 25 different Latin prefixes, roots, and suffixes within an Orton-Gillingham lesson for students who have moved beyond the basics and need advanced skills. 

A full day will also focus on writing simple, compound, and complex sentences, as well as a variety of basic and expanded paragraphs,s and how to introduce a five-paragraph essay. An explanation of each section of thWISC-V V neurological testing, as well as the WIAT-IV, will be included, as well as questions and answers about each section. If participants have WISC V results for their student ortheir own personal child, those will be individually addressed and compared & contrasted to other scores by students within the class. 

Please note that participants from this Classroom Educator Plus are only eligible to take the Classroom Educator Practicum and not the Associate Level Practicum. 

The Rose Institute for Learning and Literacy provides Orton-Gillingham training and practicums for professional development, as well as for graduate credit and as part of an Advanced Certificate or Doctoral Degree.  

To register for Professional Development through Frontline / mylearningplan.com, click on the following dates: 

• Classroom Educator:  February 25, 26, March 3, 4, 5, 2026
• Classroom Educator:  July 6-10, 2026
• Associate Level:  July 13-17 and 27-21
• Classroom Educator Plus:  May 8, 12, 13, 19, 20
• Classroom Educator Plus:  August 3-7

 If you are interested in graduate credit or would like more information about the practicum, please email [email protected] for more information. 

 Why Administrators and Teachers Should Consider These Trainings 

For teachers, these courses provide immediately applicable strategies that strengthen instruction, deepen understanding of language structure, and support students who struggle with reading and writing. 

For administrators and instructional leaders, Orton-Gillingham training builds internal capacity, aligns with science-of-reading initiatives, and supports equitable access to literacy instruction across classrooms and schools. 

While these offerings are just a snapshot of what The Rose Institute provides, they represent a meaningful opportunity to invest in professional growth right now. 

Take the Next Step 

If you are looking to strengthen literacy instruction through structured, evidence-based practices, we encourage you to sign up for one of the courses listed above. These trainings offer not only professional development hours, but also a pathway toward certification, graduate credit, and long-term instructional impact. 

The Rose Institute is proud to support educators at every stage of their journey—and we look forward to learning alongside you. 

About the Rose Institute for Learning and Literacy

The Rose Institute for Learning and Literacy was founded at Manhattanville in 2013 when Sandra Priest Rose established an endowment to ensure that as many students as possible have teachers who are trained in the most effective research-backed literacy instructional methods. The Rose Institute offers graduate coursework and advanced certificates through Manhattanville and professional development opportunities both in-district and through several partner BOCES. 

Manhattanville University School of Education

The School of Education undergraduate and graduate degree programs prepare PreK-12 teachers and administrators, higher education and community leaders, and educational industry entrepreneurs. Having served the tri-state area for over five decades, the Manhattanville School of Education guides new generations of educators to become leaders in their field through unrivaled community-based field experiences in over 25 area schools and educational agencies.

Our graduate and doctoral programs offer a blended learning experience with online, in-person, and hybrid courses, which provide our students with the flexibility and resources they need to fulfill their educational goals.