Learn the What, Why, & How of Effective Instruction

Many trainings are great at teaching the what and the why behind structured literacy instruction, but they fall short in teaching how to execute effective lessons. Our training will provide the time and the practice that educators need to successfully implement what they have learned. Technical information is presented, and it deserves both time and practice. Looking for immediate feedback and assistance? Are you hungry to learn the why and the how of crafting instruction to meet individual needs of students? Our training will equip educators to teach entire classrooms in a cost-efficient way.  Parents/home school educators are welcome to attend for a discounted tuition of $500 to learn the teaching technique.

• 3 Week Reading Clinic

  This training will be Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 3:00 pm from June 6-28, 2024.

• In Person Training

  In Person Instruction at

  Grahamwood Elementary School

  3950 Summer Ave.

  Memphis, TN 38122

• For All Educators

  This is an 80.5 hour course with 19.5 hours of practicum designed to create highly skilled structured literacy teachers and tutors. On a daily basis, participants will attend lectures, observe instruction, practice what they have learned, receive immediate feedback, and learn how to write effective lesson plans.

  First year participants will complete the Introductory Course. Second year participants will complete the Continuum Course. Both first and second year participants have the same number of hours per course.

Learn More

This course includes a practicum. A practicum is necessary for certification. The following courses are offered each summer:

1. Foundations of Literacy – This course incorporates a research-based, structured, and multisensory approach designed to help teach children the acquisition of reading, speaking, listening, writing, and thinking skills.

2. Integration of Literacy– This course further extends the training provided in the Foundations of Literacy course.  Participants will apply skills that utilize advanced techniques in the language continuum to help teach children the acquisition of reading, speaking, listening, writing, and thinking skills.

3. Third Year Advanced Course – This course is for those individuals who are interested in pursuing Instructor of Teaching Certification. The intern will work under the supervision of an approved Instructor of Teacher Training and train for a minimum of one entire cycle of a teaching level training course.

Prerequisites:

1. Foundations of Literacy– Bachelor's Degree and Personal Interview with the Executive Director of S.M.I.L.A.

2. Integration of Literacy – Bachelor's Degree, Personal Interview with the Executive Director of S.M.I.L.A., and successful completion of the Foundations of Literacy course.

3. Third Year Advanced Course – Bachelor's Degree, Personal Interview with the Executive Director of S.M.I.L.A. and successful completion of the Integration of Literacy course.