Professional Development

43505

Orton-Gillingham Classroom Educator Training

*Certified by the Orton-Gillingham Academy.

Orton-Gillingham 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.

This Orton-Gillingham (OG) Classroom Educator Training is comprised of OG Classroom Educator Training Coursework (40 hours) and an optional OG Classroom Educator Training Practicum.

If you intend to work 1:1 with students with dyslexia, then we recommend you take the Orton-Gillingham Associate Training (1:1 Instruction) following this Orton-Gillingham Classroom Educator Training.

Upcoming OG Classroom Educator Training
July Course

July 10-14
(8:00 am – 4:30 pm)

In-person at Fraser Academy, 2294 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC.

August Course

August 21-25
(8:00 am – 4:30 pm)

In-person at Fraser Academy, 2294 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC.

Fall 2023 Course

Friday, October 20 (8:00 am – 5:00 pm)
Saturdays: October 21 and 28, November 4 and 18 (8:00 am – 5:00 pm)

In-person at Fraser Academy, 2294 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC.

Winter 2024 Course

Saturdays: January 13, 20, and 27, and February 3 (8:00 am – 4:00 pm)

In-person at Fraser Academy, 2294 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC.

Wednesday evenings: January 31 and February 7 (5:30 pm – 8:30 pm)

Online

Early registration is advised as course spaces are limited.

Apply Now

About the OG Classroom Educator Training

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 Classroom Educator Training Coursework, trainees may apply for a supervised OG Classroom Educator Training 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 Classroom Educator Training Practicum must begin within 8 months of completing the coursework for the OG Classroom Educator Training 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 Classroom Educator Training 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 Classroom Educator Training 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 Classroom Educator Training Coursework to be?

  • The OG Classroom Educator Training 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 Classroom Educator Training 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 Classroom Educator Training Certification is available pursuant to completing the OG Classroom Educator Training Practicum under an OGA Fellow.

Can I begin to tutor once I have completed the OG Classroom Educator Training 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 Classroom Educator Training 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 Associate Training (1:1 Instruction) course.

About the Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA)

Orton-Gillingham (OG) Academy Logo

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.

View more.

About the Instructor

Colleen Chow, ATF/OGA, PCET, Executive Director, Training & Learning

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, F/OGA Learning Specialist, OG Instructor 

Ellen O’Brien, F/OGA
Learning Specialist, OG Instructor 

Ellen O’Brien, 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 Classroom Educator Training 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
  • Subscriber Membership at 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 OGA (Orton Gillingham Academy)
  • $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 Classroom Educator Training 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 Classroom Educator Training Practicum (Optional)

Completion of the OG Classroom Educator Training 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.