Our first REAP teacher training class begins today…
Twelve local public school teachers volunteer hundreds of personal hours toward improving student reading proficiency.
Reading is Essential for All People (REAP) is a Decatur-based non-profit organization that offers free training for public school teachers in the Orton-Gillingham Approach. In its inaugural class on September 5th twelve teachers begin an intensive training program.
Decatur, GA, Thursday, September 5, 2013—Children struggle in reading for many reasons. These reasons include learning disabilities such as dyslexia, focus and attention challenges, and lack of exposure to books and language. Those who are learning English as a second language also often find reading to be a challenge. As public school systems continue to endure deep budget cuts the opportunities for teacher training and enrichment decrease or disappear entirely.
Reading is Essential for All People’s mission is to build reading proficiency by giving public school teachers the tools and training they need to create stronger, more proficient readers with a brighter future.
Today twelve public school teachers start a training course in the Orton-Gillingham approach. This approach can be used to teach all children to read but is especially critical for those who struggle. These dedicated and passionate educators will dedicate 8 months to the class and then participate in a practicum that will provide 50-100 hours of specialized, individual or group instruction, to struggling readers who would not otherwise have access to this level of intervention. The tools acquired in this training and practicum can be used in any classroom with any reader. It is not a curriculum but an approach.
Reading is Essential for All People will continue to offer courses in Orton-Gillingham as well as comprehension and other professional development related to reading proficiency.
