Please take a moment and provide your thoughts as we work to create an organization designed to meet your needs. | | |
Reflections on Film Premiere... | |
Thoughts & Reflections from The Truth about Reading Film Premiere | The Invisible Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight Impressions from the Film Premieres in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont "The lifelong effects reading and the inability to read had on many of the people that were interviewed. | | | |
We Know Better...Now It's Time to Do Better... | |
4-18-23 The Truth About Reading - News Release | April 21, 2023 Dear Educational Leader, We, the International Dyslexia Association - Northern New England Alliance, are proud to share that hundreds of people from Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont attended five film screenings of the documentary, The Truth About Reading* The Invisible Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight, in February and March. | | | |
From Around the Region... | |
Legislative Updates from Around the Region April-May 2023 | Did you know, most states have some form of legislation regarding Dyslexia? The National Center on Improving Literary (NCIL) provides a website that you can use to explore state and local legislation surrounding the topic of Dyslexia. | | | | | |
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603 Initiative...
The New Hampshire Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education Support Begins a NEW Reading Venture
Coming Soon...
There will be an announcement of the 8 lucky schools chosen to participate in Bridging the Gap in the 603: Pathways to Literacy Proficiency. All public schools (including public charter schools) were eligible to complete the application process by May 19, 2023 for this exciting program. This initiative commences in June with selected schools receiving notification and will continue for two years, with the intent of having a second cohort in the Fall of 2025.
Participants in this pilot program are required to implement science of reading practices for all students in their school. The target group is grades K-4. Completion of LETRS training (currently provided FREE to all educators in the 603) is required as is having a commitment to on-site school literacy leadership teams and coaches. Teachers who complete the LETRS training are then able to access one-on-one mentoring from qualified reading coaches. The New Hampshire Department of Education will have a State-level literacy coach assisting programs with implementation.
The project has federal grant money available to support schools as they begin this journey of providing teachers with the tools and understanding behind the science of reading best practices. One of the goals is to create a sustainable plan that communities will use to support educators with lifelong learning, which in turn supports the needs of children in learning to read.
Any NH resident who works with children is able to sign up for the FREE LETRS training through the NH DOE. According to the DOE website, 51% of our fourth-grade students are not reading proficiently! If you haven’t signed up yet, please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to learn the why behind the science of teaching reading.
Another ‘new’ NHDOE tool for families of young children is NH Loves Reading. This website provides many quick and easy tips for parents, teachers, and caregivers to incorporate into everyday life with young children.
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Upcoming Conferences
Save the Dates
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New Voices...
In this feature, IDA-NNEA Board Member Dorinne Dorfman, Ed. D., Orton-Gillingham Associate Level, interviews people affected by dyslexia. Abby Roy interviews members of the Addison Northwest School District (ANWSD), a district training all their K-6 teachers in the Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching literacy. Sharing such stories offers inspiration and hope to the wider community as well as empowers the interviewee in the journey to address challenges and achieve goals.
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Interview with Erica Richards | Erica Richards is a half-marathon runner, a mother of a child with dyslexia, and an advocate for all children. Professionally Ms. Richards is a certified nurse midwife, currently finishing her psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certificate, and anticipates starting a Ph.D. in nursing program to bring attention to the challenges of children who learn differently to other health professionals, legislators, and educators. Annually she runs to raise awareness of learning disabilities and fundraise for the Aucocisco School and Learning Center in Maine, where her son Myles attends school. | | | |  |
Dr. Melissa Houser discusses the Vermont-based non-profit organization All Brains Belong, which provides healthcare, education, and community connection for people with all types of brains. A concerning trend noted by Dr. Mel is that neurodivergent learners have unrecognized challenges with reading. Click the link below to read about this fascinating and relevant topic. | | | | |
Structured Literacy Success in VT | A Structured Literacy Success Story in Vermont: Addison Northwest School District (ANWSD) is training all their K-6 teachers in the Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching literacy. Interviews with a special educator, administrator and classroom teacher about why and how they made the switch to structured literacy. | | | | | |
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Come join Dr. Dorinne Dorfman as she discusses her recent trip to Mississippi investigating and exploring the Mississippi literacy educational transformation.
Mississippi’s extraordinary reading gains over the past decade have received national attention. Efforts to train principals and teachers and adopt curricula and assessments in the Five Components of Reading stemmed from a shared belief among political, business, and education leaders. IDA-NNEA Board Member Dr. Dorinne Dorfman has researched the “Mississippi Miracle” and spent several days interviewing teachers and other leaders and observing literacy instruction in six high-poverty schools, from Pre–K to high-school seniors. She returned with powerful findings and fresh ideas to share with all those who care about student reading in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
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Professional Development Opportunities | |
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Hello Families!
IDA-NNEA is happy to continue a program we began in December 2020 called READ for Parents. READ stands for Research, Education, and Advocacy on Dyslexia.
We host free 60-90 minutes virtual webinars for parents and educators every other month focusing on a topic from the IDA Dyslexia Fact Sheets.
If you're not familiar with the fact sheets, be sure to check them out; they are current, relevant, and full of great information.
In addition to our board member panelists, each session includes a guest speaker with deep knowledge of the topic. See below to register for our free June Zoom webinar.
Upcoming READ for Parents
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IDA-NNEA is sponsoring Wilson Language Training coming in early June.
Wilson is passionate about providing educators with the knowledge and skills they need to help students who may benefit from a systematic, multi-sensory, structured language approach. The professional learning programs are delivered by a nationwide team of expert Literacy Specialists and Trainers. All workshops are virtual.
FUNdations Levels K, 1 ($299/day)
One day virtual workshop for each level
June 1-2, 2023
9:00a - 2:00p (EST)
FUNdations Levels 2 ($299/day)
One day virtual workshop for each level
June 8, 2023
9:00a - 2:00p (EST)
FUNdations Level 3 ($299/day)
One day virtual workshop for each level
June 13, 2023
9:00a - 2:00p (EST)
Just Words ($299/day)
one day virtual workshop
June 5, 2023
9:00a - 2:00p (EST)
WRS Advanced Strategies for MSL Group Instruction Course ($679)
3 day virtual workshop
June 7-9, 2023
9:00a - 2:00p (EST)
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Come Join your colleagues, professionals, and those interested in literacy.
Are you a service provider or organization? Special Rates are available.
Join IDA
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ONLINE INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES
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2023 IDA-NNEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
IDA-NNEA's Board of Directors consists of up to 15 individuals who serve on a volunteer basis for 2- or 3-year terms. Many previous Board Directors now serve on our Advisory Board providing guidance and assistance.
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2023 Board Officers:
President: Susan Hourihan, ME
Immediate Past President: Brenda Peters, NH
Vice President: Kristine Reilly, NH
Treasurer: Karyn Hubbard, ME
Secretary: Jennifer Cyr, ME
2023 Members at Large:
Nicole Chick, VT
Dorinne Dorfman, VT
Jacqui Kelleher, VT
Nancy Kring-Burns, NH
Brittany Lovejoy, VT
Elaine Miskinis, NH
Cheryl Neiverth, ME
Amy Phalon, ME
Andrea Pollock, NH
Abby Roy, VT
Heidi Zollman, NH
Business Manager: Amy Catling, ME
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Advisory Board:
Jayne Beaton, NH
Bebe Casey, NH
Aileen Cormier, NH
Anne Eaton, NH
Anne Ehret, VT
Beth McClure, NH
Caryl Patten, MA
Michael Patten, MA
Melissa Farrall, VT
Claudia Golda-Dominguez, NH
Renee LeCain, Sandown, NH
Susan Morbey, NH
Shannon Dixon-Yandow, VT
Michelle Stinson, NH
Dale Vincent, NH
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