May 2022
ORTIi News & Updates
We can't think of a better way to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week than to send a giant THANK YOU to all of the educators who participated in the Virtual Conference last week.

Thank you to all our amazing presenters, to our support volunteers (David, Sally, Sarah and Rachell), and to all who were able to log onto the virtual conference and engage in the learning and discussion, even in this time of sub shortages (It was quite miraculous how many were able to attend live!).

Thank you also to all of you who continue to share our event around the world, enabling us to support thousands of educators in places we never dreamed we could have impact.

We should all take a moment and celebrate that, despite how very hard the work of education is, it is the right work. Thank you for being on this journey with us!

With tremendous gratitude for all you do every day,

The ORTIi team,
Jon, Beth, Nicole, Brad, Lisa, and Christie
photos of anita archer and maryanne wolf
Videos Available Now!

Now that the conference is over, you have access to ALL the session videos and materials by clicking here to access the digital program.

We also have an archive of previous training events. The Fall 2021 Reading Symposium and the Winter/Spring 2020 Annual Conference Series are all at our Video Recordings and Modules page on our website. As you begin to plan for next year's professional learning in your setting, these videos can be a great resource for you to have access to amazing experts in the fields of reading and MTSS.

As you read through the feedback below, check out the last comment - this is exactly our goal for the virtual conferences.

It is our goal to ensure that every teacher, regardless of zip code, has access to the professional learning they need and deserve in order to ensure the students they serve get the instruction they need and deserve to be able to read.
Happy Watching!
Thank You For the Feedback!

Here are a few quotes from attendees who were able to attend live on Zoom.


"I cannot say enough about the engagement factor and how engaged I was in the wealth of knowledge learned today. Thank you for the opportunity to attend! Everything was coordinated so well and went off without a hitch."

"Truly it was one of the best conferences I've attended."

"I share it with many teachers as I watched last years' too and I knew it was going to be brilliant"

"I also liked the positive atmosphere."

"Great line up of presenters. The Information they provided was phenomenal. Great diversity in the topics so participants had to be choosy. I can’t wait to watch the ones I did not attend."

"All sessions I attended provided information I could immediately apply in my instruction."

"I loved that I was able to attend any session I wanted and had essentially a front row seat. The speakers were passionate, knowledgeable, and relevant!"

"The quality of the presentations, the applicability to the classroom as well as professional learning for teachers. All teachers deserve this kind of PD."
Above: The Newberg (OR) School District's reading specialists gather to attend the ORTIi Virtual Conference on the big screen.

Below: Conference buddies.
Blend this word T-R-EA-T !
Above: Meet and Greet with Dr. Anita Archer before the start of the Background Knowledge session on April 28th.

Below: Billi Leinonen, Reading Teacher in Clatskanie (OR) School District watching alone but will be sharing the content with others!
Science of Reading: The Podcast
Implementing Multi-Tiered Systems of Support with Dr. Brittney Bills
(Audience: All - Especially district and school leaders)

Sometimes it is nice to hear confirmation about what you are doing from an outside perspective, as well as new ideas and new ways of saying things. This episode has such great insight into building and improving a district-wide multi-tiered system of support for all students. You will enjoy listening to this on your next walk!
Oregon's Literacy Crisis
Why Reading Matters & What Solutions Count
(Audience: All, including parents and caregivers)

On May 17th, 12:00-1:00, join Our Children Oregon and Decoding Dyslexia OR for an interactive discussion on the current realities of learning and teaching to read in Oregon.This conversation will include pandemic-related impacts on young learners and what it will take to solve long-standing disparities in literacy rates. Panelists include: Angela Uherbelau: Founder, Oregon Kids Read; Dr. Ronda Fritz: Clinic Director, EOU's Reading Clinic; Resha Conroy: Founder, Dyslexia Alliance for Black Children; and Cathy Parker: Literacy Specialist, North Portland’s Woodlawn Elementary.
ORTIi's
MTSS Component Modules
Now including the Tier 3
Modules and Rubric
(Audience: ALL)

As district teams begin to reflect on the state of MTSS after several tough years of interrupted school, the ORTIi rubrics and accompanying modules may be a good place to turn to remind your team what it looks like to have a solid system in place to recover from this crisis. The modules could also be useful for you as you bring in new staff, especially school and district leaders through the spring, summer and fall.