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Professional Training and Certifications for Teachers
Wilson Reading System® Introductory Courses June 2024
Registration is open for our June 2024
WRS Introductory Courses!
Professional Training & Wilson® Certifications
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Ava White Tutorials, Inc. proudly holds the status of a Wilson® Accredited Training Partner, a distinction that underscores our adherence to the high standards of excellence in professional learning and business practices set by Wilson Language Training®. This accreditation is a testament to our rigorous review process and the presence of a qualified Wilson® Credentialed Trainer on our team. Both Wilson Language Training® and its Accredited Training Partners, including us, have earned the prestigious Accreditation Plus from the International Dyslexia Association® (IDA). This recognition affirms that our Wilson Reading System® certifications are in line with the IDA’s Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading.
Meet Our Trainers
Ava White
Susan Reagan
Sharon Wolf
Jean DeRosa
Jennifer Kopp
Trainer Credentials
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Education:
M.Ed. in Education of Emotionally Disturbed Children, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
B.S. in Elementary and Special Education with Specializations in Behavior Disorders and Learning Disabilities, Peabody College for Teachers, Nashville, Tennessee
Completed 30 hours of graduate work on Ed.S. program in Special Education Administration, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
Attended Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina
Attended Gainesville Junior College, Gainesville, Georgia
Specializations:
Special Education Administration
Education of Emotionally Disturbed Children
Elementary and Special Education
Behavior Disorders
Learning Disabilities
Professional Development: National Wilson Trainer, Oxford, Massachusetts, 2006
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Education:
Ed.S., University of Georgia, Learning Disabilities and Assessment
M. A., University of Virginia, English Literature and Composition
B.A., Chapman University, English Literature and Composition
Specializations:
Special Education Interrelated Resource Teacher
Professional Development:
Wilson® Language Partner Trainer
Wilson Fundations Presenter and Facilitator, K and 1
Bulloch County Teacher of the Year 2018
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Education:
Ed.S. in Language and Literacy
Ed.S. in Assistive Technology
M.S. in Special Education
B.S. in General Education/Special Education
Certifications and Specializations:
Wilson® Language Training Level I
Wilson® Language Training Level II
Wilson® Language Trainer Training
Dyslexia Therapist
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Education:
M.Ed Special Education, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
BS Visual Arts, Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida.
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Education:
Master of Science in Elementary Education
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Specializations:
Reading and Literacy
Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner,
Wilson® Language Academy
Wilson Credentialed Level II Trainer, Wilson® Language Academy
Wilson® Credentialed Level I Trainer, Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators
Professional Experience:
Classroom Educator since August 2015
Wilson Reading System
Certifications & Trainings
Wilson Reading System®
3-Day Introductory Course
(Pre-requisite for Level 1 Certification)
This 16.5-hour course provides participants with an overview of the Wilson Reading System (WRS) and serves as the prerequisite for WRS Level I Certification Training.
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This three day, 16.5-hour course provides participants with an overview of the Wilson Reading System (WRS) and serves as the prerequisite for WRS Level I Certification Training.
Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:
Define dyslexia and understand its prevalence and impact on the acquisition of reading skills and cognitive processes.
Explain the process of identifying students with a language-based learning disability, such as dyslexia, or other characteristics that indicate the need for intensive, multisensory instruction with the WRS.
Understand the Response to Intervention (RTI) model and how to implement it.
Demonstrate understanding of the key components of WRS Instruction: alphabetic knowledge, rapid naming skills/word retrieval, sound-symbol relationships, word identification, accuracy, automaticity, phonology, morphology, orthography, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Demonstrate understanding of the WRS principles of instruction: direct, explicit, structured, sequential, integrated, multisensory, synthetic, analytical, diagnostic, prescriptive, mastery/automaticity, cumulative, metacognitive, and emotionally sound.
Identify the lesson components and procedures for Lesson Block 1 (word study/foundational reading skills), Lesson Block 2 (spelling/foundational writing skills), and Lesson Block 3 (fluency/comprehension) of the WRS Lesson Plan.
Practice and prepare a ten-part WRS Lesson Plan.
Participants may enroll in the WRS Level I Certification Training or the online course WRS Intensive Instruction for the Non-Responsive Reader (Steps 1-6) within five years of completing a WRS Introductory Course.
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3 consecutive days (16.5 hours) or 30-day access (16.5) for asynchronous version.
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For local participants (Gainesville, GA) - Participants who live locally should plan to bring their student to our office to complete the five required observations.
For participants who are not local to Gainesville, GA - For participants who do not live locally, the five required observations can be made via video chatting (Skype, Facetime, etc.).
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WRS Introductory Course Manual (synchronous version)
WRS Lesson Plan Practice Resources (synchronous version)
Access to course via Wilson Academy
WRS Introductory Set (recommended)
Wilson Academy® Wilson Reading System Learning Community membership provided after completion of course (12-month access)
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In-Person Course: $8,050
Virtual Course: $7,550Materials: $350 (WRS Starter Kit)
“There are so many benefits to teaching the Wilson Reading System as a certified practitioner. The feedback provided by the trainers is so valuable. You also learn strategies and techniques used by other certified instructors to improve your practice.
Educator Darlene Matulich
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Before participating, individuals must have completed the WRS Introductory Course within the last five years. They must also possess a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field.
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Individuals have 12 months from the date of enrollment to complete the online course and practicum. If site-based within a school or district, participants are encouraged to complete certification within the school year.
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A web-based practicum is appropriate for individual, tech-savvy participants who may not have a Certification Community in their area.
Schools may certify a group of educators who have competed the introductory course.
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Complete a comprehensive online course: WRS Intensive Instruction for the Non-Responsive Reader (Steps 1–6).
Conduct 1:1 WRS instruction with a practicum student for a minimum of 65 lessons with a lesson plan written for each lesson. Student must meet selection criteria and be approved by the assigned Wilson® Credentialed Trainer (W.C.T.). Instruction must be with WRS 4th Edition materials.
Be observed five times teaching the practicum student. Each observation is scheduled with the W.C.T. and lasts approximately 60–75 minutes.
Submit a pretesting report on the practicum student, including educational history and current test results.
Develop a Teacher Binder and Student Portfolio and compile student’s written work in accordance with Wilson Language Training® (WLT) program standards.
Demonstrate mastery of the WRS Lesson Plan procedures (documented and approved by W.C.T.).
Demonstrate an understanding of language concepts through accurate teaching with multisensory procedures.
Demonstrate student mastery of reading, spelling, fluency, and comprehension.
Conduct pre- and post-testing with two norm-referenced tests, one being the Word Identification and Spelling Test (WIST). Submit posttest data with practicum student final report after a minimum of 65 lessons and instruction in WRS Substep 4.2 Accuracy.
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The practicum student must meet the following criteria and be approved by Wilson Language Training® (WLT) before instruction begins. Whether the criteria is met should be determined from school records and current testing.
In or entering grades 4–12 (grade 3 approved if student has been retained).
Overall cognitive ability in average range (minimum IQ = 80).
Overall reading must be ranked in the 5th to 30th percentile with a minimum total reading score of grade 2.0.
Student’s listening comprehension ability is higher than independent reading comprehension.
Student has poor decoding and spelling skills.
Student must be available to be scheduled for a minimum of three to four 45-minute lessons or two to three 60–90 minute lessons per week (one-on-one).
The practicum student must not have received any previous Wilson® instruction.
For practicum student approval, the Word Identification and Spelling Test (WIST) plus another formal reading test must be administered and results submitted to your supervising Wilson trainer. Testing results used to select practicum student must be no more than six months old. Any of the following is suggested:
Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests – R
Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests – III
Woodcock-Johnson® IV Tests of Achievement
Woodcock-Johnson® III Diagnostic Reading Battery
Wechsler Individual Achievement Test® III or IV
A similar individualized reading assessment may be substituted if it provides information regarding decoding, comprehension, and total reading. Prior approval from WLT is required.
The practicum situation works best when the selected student has a consistent attendance record and does not have overriding emotional or behavioral issues.
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Tuition: $3,450
Materials: WRS Starter Set from prerequisite introductory course.
Wilson Reading System®
Level 1 Certification
The Wilson Reading System® (WRS) Level I Certification is recognized as an IDA AccreditationPlus program. It is designed to prepare teachers to effectively implement WRS Steps 1–6 with students who are reading and spelling below grade level, as well as those diagnosed with a language-based learning disability, such as dyslexia.
“Wilson has had a tremendous impact on my students and families. You can't lose with this program. You see gains in students' reading, even when other programs have not shown much success.”
Special Education Teacher Jennifer Plant
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To seek WRS Level II Certification, one must complete WRS Level I Certification.
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There are four components required to achieve WRS Level II Certification. These are organized into two courses of study: small group implementation or advanced word study. Participants may choose either course of study to begin. Each course of study may take up to 15 months to complete and may be taken consecutively or concurrently.
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Deepen skills developed in the WRS Level I Certification.
Understand course methodology and demonstrate understanding of advanced language structure when instructing individual students using the WRS in Steps 7-12.
Accurately teach the structure of the English language (presented in WRS Steps 7-12): consonant & vowel phonemes, syllable structure, common orthographic rules and advanced spelling patterns including spelling option procedures, and word elements such as common Latin and Greek bases, prefixes, and suffixes, etc.
Review the planning for and execution of WRS Lesson Blocks 1, 2, and 3 and differentiating instruction for maximum small-group success.
Appropriately pace a group of students through the curriculum, developing mastery of material taught, designing group lessons that focus on accuracy, automaticity, and fluency of word and text reading.
Identify the characteristics of dyslexia and related language-based learning disabilities.
Use assessments to identify students with word-level deficits who are appropriate for an intensive intervention in a small, homogeneous group setting.
Diagnostically plan and deliver group lessons, while addressing and understanding individual student weaknesses that impact the ability to learn to read and write.
Understand the necessary principles of instruction used to teach students with a language-based learning disability: direct, explicit, systematic, structured, sequential, integrated, multisensory, synthetic, analytical, diagnostic, prescriptive, mastery/automaticity, cumulative, metacognitive, and emotionally sound.
Foster a positive instructional climate with clearly established rules and routines.
Guide students to correct errors through questioning and use of their notebooks.
Effectively use Structured Literacy instructional techniques, and demonstrate explicit teaching, modeling, guided practice, appropriate feedback, and consistent review in lessons in the group setting.
Develop lessons to support the progression of comprehension skills, moving a student from foundational and initial phases to secondary and proficient phases.
Develop a word-conscious lesson.
Understand the role of spelling in writing fluency.
Determine how to ensure students successfully access complex text (both literary and informational text structures).
Understand how to select the appropriate text and tasks for students in order to effectively plan for and deliver fluency and comprehension instruction.
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One course of study focuses on how to implement Structured Literacy instruction successfully in small–group settings:
WRS Advanced Strategies for MSL Group Instruction Course
WRS Group Mastery Practicum
All WRS Level I and Level II Practicum lessons must be delivered using 4th edition materials.
The second course of study focuses on teaching students at advanced word study components (WRS Steps 7–12):
WRS Advanced Word Study: Online Course (Steps 7–12)
WRS Steps 7-12 Practicum
All WRS Level I and Level II Practicum lessons must be delivered using 4th edition materials.
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A web-based practicum is appropriate for individual, tech-savvy participants who may not have a Certification Community in their area.
Schools may certify a group of educators who have competed the introductory course.
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WRS Advanced Set Steps 7-12
WRS Starter Kit from introductory course.
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Tuition: $1,495
Materials: WRS Advanced Set (7-12) $380
Wilson Reading System®
Level 2 Certification
The Wilson Reading System® (WRS) Level II Certification is recognized as an International Dyslexia Association (IDA) Accreditation Plus program. It is designed to prepare teachers to effectively implement WRS with students who are reading and spelling below grade level, as well as those diagnosed with a language-based learning disability, such as dyslexia.
“With the Wilson Reading System®, students overcome their fear of not being
able to read. It is encouraging and rewarding to watch a child that
encounters many struggles with reading, only to become avid
readers once they experience the Wilson Reading System®.”
Educator Kris M.
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Fundations Level K Virtual Launch Workshop provides the practice and guidance needed to effectively begin teaching the Fundations Level K curriculum.
This full day workshop is highly interactive and designed to allow for teacher input and active engagement via activities and discussions. The workshop covers an overview of the program, a dive into the materials and resources needed to teach Fundations Level K, a look at how to use the Teacher’s Manual, practice planning a lesson, and wraps up with a chance to debrief and look at “next steps” that will help participants kickoff their Fundations instruction.
Fundations Level K Virtual Launch Workshop provides the practice and guidance needed to effectively begin teaching the Fundations Level K curriculum. This full day workshop is highly interactive and designed to allow for teacher input and active engagement via activities and discussions. The workshop covers an overview of the program, a dive into the materials and resources needed to teach Fundations Level K, a look at how to use the Teacher’s Manual, practice planning a lesson, and wraps up with a chance to debrief and look at “next steps” that will help participants kickoff their Fundations instruction.
Prerequisite: None
Duration: One full day (4 instructional hours)
Course Objectives
Upon completion of the course, participants are able to:
Identify the skills taught in Fundations: print awareness; phonological awareness; phonemic awareness and the alphabetic principle; sound mastery; phonics; vocabulary; high frequency/trick words; fluency; comprehension strategies; handwriting, spelling, and punctuation.
Understand the principles of instruction: explicit, sequential, and cumulative instruction that engages multiple learning modalities with multisensory activities, repetition, and immediate, specific feedback.
Identify and understand the use for all materials in the Fundations Teacher’s Kit, and have a sense of how to find and use the many extended resources available on the Fundations® Learning Community (membership included with participation in this workshop).
Use the Teacher’s Manual to prepare a daily learning plan and practice activity procedures.
Visualize the flow and pace of a full Fundations lesson completed with fidelity.
Materials:
Fundations Level K Launch Workshop Activity Packet (provided)
Fundations Level K Teacher’s Kit, or at minimum Level K Teacher’s Manual (recommended)
Wilson Academy® Fundations Learning Community membership provided after workshop registration
Completion Requirements:
Complete workshop and participate in all workshop activities
Provide workshop feedback via the course evaluation form.
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Fundations Level 1 Virtual Launch Workshop provides the practice and guidance needed to effectively begin teaching the Fundations Level 1 curriculum.
This full day workshop is highly interactive and designed to allow for teacher input and active engagement via activities and discussions. The workshop covers an overview of the program, a dive into the materials and resources needed to teach Fundations Level 1, a look at how to use the Teacher’s Manual, practice planning a lesson, and wraps up with a chance to debrief and look at “next steps” that will help participants kick off their Fundations instruction.
Prerequisite: None
Duration: One full day (4 instructional hours)
Course Objectives:
Identify the skills taught in Fundations: print awareness; phonological awareness; phonemic awareness and the alphabetic principle; sound mastery; phonics; vocabulary; high frequency/Trick Words; fluency; comprehension strategies; handwriting, spelling, and punctuation.
Understand the principles of instruction: explicit, sequential, and cumulative instruction that engages multiple learning modalities with multisensory instruction, repetition, and immediate, specific feedback.
Identify and understand the use of all materials in the Fundations Teacher’s Kit, and have a sense of how to find and use the many extended resources available in the Fundations® Learning Community (membership included with participation in this workshop).
Use the Teacher’s Manual to prepare a daily learning plan and practice activity procedures.
Visualize the flow and pace of a full Fundations lesson completed with fidelity.
Materials:
Fundations Level 1 Launch Workshop Activity Packet (provided)
Fundations Level 1 Teacher’s Kit, or at minimum Level 1 Teacher’s Manual (recommended)
Wilson Academy® Fundations Learning Community membership provided after workshop registration
Completion Requirements
Complete workshop and participate in all workshop activities
Provide workshop feedback via the course evaluation form
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Fundations Level 2 Virtual Launch Workshop provides the practice and guidance needed to effectively begin teaching the Fundations Level 2 curriculum.
This full day workshop is highly interactive and designed to allow for teacher input and active engagement via activities and discussions. The workshop covers an overview of the program, a dive into the materials and resources needed to teach Fundations Level 2, a look at how to use the Teacher’s Manual, practice planning a lesson, and wraps up with a chance to debrief and look at “next steps” that will help participants kick off their Fundations instruction.
Prerequisite: None
Duration: One full day (4 instructional hours)
Course Objectives:
Identify the skills taught in Fundations: phonics and word study; vocabulary; high frequency/Trick Words; fluency; comprehension strategies; handwriting, spelling, and punctuation.
Understand the principles of instruction: explicit, sequential, and cumulative instruction that engages multiple learning modalities with multisensory instruction, repetition, and immediate, specific feedback.
Identify and understand the use of all materials in the Fundations Teacher’s Kit, and have a sense of how to find and use the many extended resources available in the Fundations® Learning Community (membership included with participation in this workshop).
Use the Teacher’s Manual to prepare a daily learning plan and practice lesson activity procedures.
Visualize the flow and pace of a full Fundations lesson completed with fidelity.
Materials:
Fundations Level 2 Launch Workshop Activity Packet (provided)
Fundations Level 2 Teacher’s Kit, or at minimum Level 2 Teacher’s Manual (recommended)
Wilson Academy® Fundations Learning Community membership provided after workshop registration
Completion Requirements:
Complete workshop and participate in all workshop activities
Provide workshop feedback via the course evaluation form
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Fundations Level 3 Launch Workshop provides the practice and guidance needed to effectively begin teaching the Fundations Level 3 curriculum.
This full day workshop is highly interactive and designed to allow for teacher input and active engagement via activities and discussions. The workshop covers an overview of the program, a dive into the materials and resources needed to teach Fundations Level 3, a look at how to use the Teacher’s Manual, practice planning a lesson, and wraps up with a chance to debrief and look at “next steps” that will help participants kick off their Fundations instruction.
Prerequisite: None
Duration: One full day (4 instructional hours)
Course Objectives:
Identify the skills taught in Fundations: phonics and word study; vocabulary; high frequency/Trick Words; fluency; comprehension strategies; handwriting, spelling, and punctuation.
Understand the principles of instruction: explicit, sequential, and cumulative instruction that engages multiple learning modalities with multisensory instruction, repetition, and immediate, specific feedback.
Identify and understand the use of all materials in the Fundations Teacher’s Kit, and have a sense of how to find and use the many extended resources available in the Fundations® Learning Community (membership included with participation in this workshop).
Use the Teacher’s Manual to prepare a daily learning plan and practice lesson activity procedures.
Visualize the flow and pace of a full Fundations lesson completed with fidelity.
Materials:
Fundations Level 3 Launch Workshop Activity Packet (provided)
Fundations Level 3 Teacher’s Kit, or at minimum Level 3 Teacher’s Manual (recommended)
Wilson Academy® Fundations Learning Community membership provided after workshop registration
Completion Requirements:
Complete workshop and participate in all workshop activities
Provide workshop feedback via the course evaluation form
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In-Person: $3,500
Virtual: $2,950Materials
Teacher’s Kits by Level:
Fun K $595
Fun 1 $715
Fun 2 $805
Fun 3 $695
Fundations® Workshops
All Fundations Level-specific Launch Workshops, virtual, provide the practice and guidance needed to effectively begin teaching the Fundations curriculum for the designated Level(s). Teachers should attend the workshop Level that corresponds to the program Level being implemented.
Love the structure and nature of the program. You’re a great teacher of teachers—thank you!
Trainee Krista
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The Just Words® Virtual Launch Workshop provides the practice and guidance needed to effectively begin teaching the Just Words curriculum.
This full-day workshop is highly interactive and designed to allow for teacher input and active engagement via activities and discussions throughout. The workshop covers an overview of the program, a dive into the materials and resources needed to teach Just Words, and a look at how to use the instructor Manual, including practice planning a lesson. It wraps up with a chance to see Just Words in action, debrief and look at what “next steps” will help participants kick off their Just Words instruction.
Prerequisite: None
Duration: One full day (four instructional hours)
Course Objectives:
Identify the skills taught in Just Words: phonics and word study (phonemic awareness, six basic syllable types in English, spelling rules, common Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes), vocabulary study, and high frequency words.
Understand the principles of instruction: explicit, sequential, and cumulative instruction that engages multiple learning modalities using multisensory instruction, repetition, and immediate, specific feedback.
Identify and understand the use of all materials in the Just Words Teacher’s Kit, and have a sense of how to find and use the many extended resources available on the Just Words® Learning Community (membership included with participation in this workshop).
Use the Instructor Manual to prepare a daily learning plan and practice lesson activity procedures;
Visualize the flow and pace of a full Just Words lesson completed with fidelity.
Identify students who may be appropriate for a Just Words class, and understand how to assess students’ progress in the class by using Progress Checks at the beginning of each Unit and with the Unit Test at the end of each Unit.
Materials:
Just Words Launch Workshop Course Booklet (provided)
Just Words Teacher’s Kit, or at minimum Just Words Instructor Manual (recommended)
Wilson Academy® Just Words Learning Community membership provided after workshop registration
Completion Requirements:
Complete workshop and participate in all workshop activities
Provide workshop feedback via the course evaluation form
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In-Person: $3,500
Virtual: $2,950Materials: Teacher’s Kit $595
Just Words® Workshops
The Just Words® Virtual Launch Workshop provides the practice and guidance needed to effectively begin teaching the Just Words curriculum. This full-day workshop is highly interactive and designed to allow for teacher input and active engagement via activities and discussions throughout. The workshop covers an overview of the program, a dive into the materials and resources needed to teach Just Words, and a look at how to use the instructor Manual, including practice planning a lesson. It wraps up with a chance to see Just Words in action, debrief and look at what “next steps” will help participants kick off their Just Words instruction.
Certification & Training Interest Form
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