Dyslexia Workshops and Events
As part of National Dyslexia Awareness Month, celebrated annually in October, we are pleased to bring attention to dyslexia and the opportunities to increase educational outcomes for all children and students.
You are encouraged to join us for any of the educational opportunities listed below. Our goal is to help to build understanding so that the creative intelligence, exceptional cognitive abilities, and problem assessment and solving skills possessed by people living with dyslexia can flourish and be recognized.
- Offered online
- Use what you learn immediately
- Earn Act 48 credits
Dyslexia Awareness Month History
In 1985, President Ronald Reagan declared October as Learning Disorder (LD) awareness month with the intention of making education inclusive for all. In 2015, the US Congress officially recognized October as Dyslexia Awareness month.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Approximately 10-15% of Americans live with dyslexia, which the National Institute of Health (NIH) defines as “a brain-based type of learning disability that specifically impairs a person’s ability to read.”
Dyslexia Workshops and Events
Designed by our expert Carlow University faculty and staff and offered free of charge to the Pittsburgh community, our professional development workshops offer timely information for educators, parents, students, and community members alike. All workshops are online via Zoom unless noted. ACT 48 hours will be available for all workshops.
Moving to a Sound Wall
October 5, 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Online
Instructor: Ms. Kate Johnson, teacher in Hempfield Area School District
Have you been contemplating switching from a word wall to a sound wall but aren’t quite sure where to begin? Or heard the term sound wall but don’t know what that means? Told through the lens of one teacher’s journey, this breakout details what exactly constitutes a sound wall and how to make the switch. Whether you have never heard of the term or need advice on how to speak to your administration, this is breakout session for you.
Simulation Parent Night
October 10, 6:30-8 p.m. | In person at The Campus Lab School
Instructors: The Campus Lab School teachers
Experience Dyslexia and the daily struggles that people with dyslexia may encounter. Join us for a brief overview and discussion of dyslexia and the dyslexic brain to better understand the learning process for those who are diagnosed with dyslexia. Participants will then take part in a powerful array of simulated activities in the areas of handwriting, spelling, memory, auditory processing, and reading.
Explicit Phonics Instruction
October 12, 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Online
Instructor: Ms. Pria Picardi, 1st grade teacher in Armstrong School District
In this workshop, the presenter cover everything involved in explicit phonics instruction including the systematic teaching of letter-sound relationships. Learn about the role of explicit phonics instruction in literacy instruction with examples of activities to do with students.
Valuable Vocabulary Instruction
October 19, 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Online
Instructor: Mrs. Jodi Crytzer, RTII Coordinator and Gifted Support Teacher Freeport Area School District
This workshop will discuss how vocabulary is vital to developing strong reading comprehension skills. We will examine words from all three tiers and determine how best to identify and address each level. Teaching students vocabulary using an explicit routine ensures their understanding and leads to deeper comprehension. This routine will be modeled during the workshop and each participant will get an editable copy of the routine.
Crash Course in Sight Words
October 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Online
Instructor: Mr. Miguel Brun, Literacy Specialist Edison Local School District and National LETRS Trainer
Have you ever wondered how the reading brain stores thousands and thousands of words for instant and effortless word retrieval Once words are learned, they are not forgotten and become part of our sight vocabulary. You may be thinking well what is a sight word. Is it a phonetically regular word or a phonetically irregular word or both? Come join me as we explore why all words want to grow up to be sight words!
“Embracing Dyslexia” Movie Viewing
October 27, 6:30-8:30 p.m. | In person at Carlow University
Join us to view the documentary; Embracing Dyslexia. Followed by discussion, questions, and answer session.
Complimentary Dyslexia Screenings
October 29, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | In person at The Campus Lab School
Instructor: Reading and Literacy Specialist at The Campus Lab School
Reading and Literacy Specialists will administer complimentary screening at the Campus Lab School to students who have signs of difficulties in word level reading skills. Screeners will assess and provide critical insight into a student’s phonological awareness, phonics, and sight word recognition. Screening will be held at the CLS from 9:00-12:00 by appointment only.
Carlow University and The Campus Laboratory School
Carlow University is home to an Early Learning Center for infants and toddlers, as well as a Campus Laboratory School for those in preschool through eighth grade. Students in Carlow’s education programs have the unique opportunity to observe and develop their teaching skills by working with our expert faculty and teachers right on campus.
MEd Programs
- Curriculum and Instruction with tracks in Dyslexia, STEM, Online Teaching, EC Leadership, ESL, and Autism
- Educational Leadership with Principal Certification (100% pass rate on licensure test)
- Early Childhood Supervision (new scholarships available)
- Reading Specialist with PreK-12th grade certification
- Special Education with PreK-12th grade certification
- Art Education with PreK-12th grade certification
- Early Childhood Education
- Secondary Education
Carlow University’s Reading Specialist master’s program is accredited by the International Dyslexia Association.
As a laboratory school, The Campus Laboratory School partners with Carlow University on educational experiences, professional development, opportunities for pre-service teachers, and sharing of facilities. Campus School faculty are often lead or co-teachers of education method courses. Students studying early childhood and middle-level education complete extensive field and practicum experiences at The Campus Laboratory School and experience hands-on work in a variety of pedagogical methods. With two Montessori kindergarten classrooms, teachers host Carlow education students in special workshops to study Montessori methods.
Carlow University (and by extension, the Campus Laboratory School) is the only Pennsylvania university to be a member of the CREATE Lab satellite network, which promotes the development and dissemination of cutting-edge technologies and innovative approaches to learning and teaching.
Contact our Education Department
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Carlow University prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator, Jackie smith at jmsmith@carlow.edu or 412-578-6050.
