Professional Development
Orton-Gillingham Training: Classroom Educator Level
Orton-Gillingham (OG) is one of the most proven methods for teaching students to read and write. It is a structured literacy approach that can be used in any classroom to teach both foundational reading skills as well as higher literacy skills. It is especially beneficial to the 20% of students with language-based learning disabilities, such as dyslexia.
Orton-Gillingham Training: Classroom Educator Level is comprised of coursework (40 hours) and an optional practicum. This course meets the requirements of the Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA), and is taught by Accredited Training Fellows of the OGA.
If you intend to work 1:1 with students with dyslexia, then we recommend you take the Orton-Gillingham Training: Associate Level following this Orton-Gillingham Training: Classroom Educator Level.
Upcoming OG Training: Classroom Educator Level
Winter 2024 Course
This course consists of 4 in-person sessions and 2 online sessions.
In-person at Fraser Academy, 2294 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC.
- Saturdays: January 13, 20, and 27, and February 3 (8:00 am – 4:00 pm)
Online
- Wednesday evenings: January 31 and February 7 (5:30 pm – 8:30 pm)
Early registration is advised as course spaces are limited.
About the OG Training: Classroom Educator Level
This training consists of high-quality instruction in structured, multisensory language instruction that covers reading acquisition for all learners and the nature and needs of the dyslexic learner from basic phonics, reading, and spelling.
It is geared towards educators or reading intervention specialists who teach literacy in a general classroom or small group setting. This approach gives participants the opportunity to learn the structure of written English through systematic and multisensory teaching techniques.
Following the successful completion of the OG Training: Classroom Educator Level Coursework, trainees may apply for a supervised OG Training: Classroom Educator Level Practicum leading to a membership at the Classroom Educator Level of the Orton-Gillingham Academy.
To learn more about the coursework or practicum, please contact ProD@fraseracademy.ca.
The OG Training: Classroom Educator Level Practicum must begin within 8 months of completing the coursework for the OG Training: Classroom Educator Level course.
If a trainee wishes to begin the practicum beyond this timeframe, they should reach out to the Fellow. Depending on the time between course completion and the request to begin the practicum, the following option may be provided at the discretion of the Fellow and pending availability.
- Audit the OG Training: Classroom Educator Level course
If a trainee would like to begin the practicum after 2 years of completing the coursework, they must re-register and take the course again.
What is the application process for your OG Training: Classroom Educator Level course?
- We process applications on a first-come, first-served basis. Spaces in the course are limited.
- Upon receiving a complete application package, we will review it and if all of the prerequisites are met and we are able to offer you a space, you will be notified of your acceptance via email.
What can I expect the format of the OG Training: Classroom Educator Level Coursework to be?
- The OG Training: Classroom Educator Level Coursework is the foundation-level coursework in the Orton-Gillingham approach. Classes provide hands-on opportunities to learn the structure of the English language and practice multisensory techniques for teaching reading, spelling, and handwriting. Presentations include lectures, multisensory experiences and teaching demonstrations.
What topics are covered in the OG Training: Classroom Educator Level course?
- Reading acquisition for all learners and the nature and needs of the dyslexic learner
- Phonological awareness
- Phonics
- Fluency
- Vocabulary
- Reading comprehension
- Rationale behind the Orton-Gillingham (OG) approach
- Knowledge and structure of the English language including:
- Phonology
- Alphabetic principle
- Syllabication
- Spelling patterns
- The lesson plan and teaching materials for small groups or classroom
- The Academy structure and requirements
Will I get a certificate upon completion?
- You will receive a letter indicating that you have completed the coursework. OG Training: Classroom Educator Level Certification is available pursuant to completing the OG Training: Classroom Educator Level Practicum under an OGA Fellow.
Can I begin to tutor once I have completed the OG Training: Classroom Educator Level course?
- The OG coursework contains the theory behind the Orton-Gillingham approach as well as the basics of structured literacy content that can be taught to all learners and can be incorporated into your classroom instruction. Additionally, all students are encouraged to take the OG Training: Classroom Educator Level Practicum to learn to implement the theory taught during the course in a group setting. If you wish to work 1:1 with students with dyslexia, we suggest you continue on to the Orton-Gillingham Training: Associate Level course.
About the Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA)
The Orton-Gillingham Academy was established to set and maintain professional and ethical standards for the practice of the Orton-Gillingham Approach, to certify teachers and to accredit instructional programs that meet these standards.
About the Instructor
Colleen Chow, ATF/OGA, PCET
Executive Director, Training & Learning
Colleen Chow is the Executive Director, Training & Learning at Fraser Academy. Ms. Chow is an Accredited Training Fellow of the Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA), an International Dyslexia Association (IDA) Certified Dyslexia Specialist, and a Professionally Certified Educational Therapist (PCET) through the National Institute of Learning Development (NILD).
About the Instructor
Ellen O’Brien, ATF/OGA
Learning Specialist; Supervising Fellow, Literacy Specialist
Ellen O’Brien, Accredited Training Fellow of the Orton-Gillingham Academy, has worked in Learning Services and as a classroom teacher at Fraser Academy since 2010. Ms. O’Brien is certified by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), and has been trained as a Level 1 NILD Educational Therapist.
How to Apply
To apply for the Orton-Gillingham Training: Classroom Educator Level Coursework, submit an application package via the “Apply Now” button. The requirements are as follows:
- A Bachelor’s Degree
- Fluency in the English language
- Experience working with children
- Completion of the OG Subscriber Course from the OGA (Orton-Gillingham Academy)
- Current resume
- Handwritten Letter of Introduction
- Two letters of reference, work-related (including information about professionalism, character, ability to work with children, and any previous tutoring experience)
- Copy of your Subscriber Membership Certificate from the OGA (you will become a Subscriber Member once you complete the OG Subscriber Course)
- $100 non-refundable processing fee (see below for payment options)
Please upload documents in PDF format.
Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
We will review your application upon receipt and notify you by email of your acceptance into the course.
OG Training: Classroom Educator Level Coursework
- $100 non-refundable processing fee (includes criminal records check).
- $800 coursework tuition fee. You are required to pay the full coursework tuition fee at the time of acceptance in order to complete registration.
- $350 materials fee.
As of the application deadline (two weeks prior to course start date), all course fees are non-refundable.
OG Training: Classroom Educator Level Practicum (Optional)
Completion of the OG Training: Classroom Educator Level Practicum requires 5 observations in a classroom or small group (minimum of 2 students) over at least 8 months. The fee is $225 per observation. Please contact us directly for additional details.
- Interac e-transfer to the email address accountspayable@fraseracademy.ca (no security answer is necessary).
- Credit card at request.plastiq.com/pay-fraser-academy1 (this option incurs a 2.4% administration fee charged by Plastiq).
- Online banking with BMO, HSBC, Scotiabank, or any credit union by setting Fraser Academy Association as the payee and using your first name and last initial (in upper-case letters and without space) as the account number.
If you have any questions, please email ProD@fraseracademy.ca.
If you have any questions, please contact ProD@fraseracademy.ca.