The Essentials of Adolescent Literacy Cohort Fall 2026 (SPED/BH 10)

Course Description

• We will engage with evidence-based, actionable research to strengthen literacy and content instruction for all adolescent learners, including striving readers and those with characteristics of dyslexia. This cohort will explore best instructional practices to support adolescent learners in the areas of vocabulary, comprehension, text structure, writing, discussion, advanced word study, and fluency.

  Our work will be grounded in "The Essentials of Adolescent Literacy" by Joan Sedita and will include opportunities for group discussion, collaboration, and the examination of classroom examples from educators within our district who are implementing these strategies. All participants will receive a complimentary copy of Sedita’s book, "The Essentials of Adolescent Literacy."

  This cohort is open to teachers and leaders across all subject and content areas who work with students in grades 5–12. We strongly encourage participation from special educators, co-teachers, ELD teachers, as well as educators in ELA, mathematics, social studies, & science.

  The strategies presented in this course are applicable across all disciplines and are not limited to ELA. Participants will leave with practical, easy-to-implement strategies to strengthen literacy and content instruction to support all learners.

• Lead Learner (Facilitator): Lynni Nordheim
• Credit(s) and Type: 15 Hours Relicensure | Staff Development

Target Audience

• Admin/Pro-Tech, Certified Staff, Classified Staff
• Open to Substitute Teachers = Yes 
• Open to Student Teachers = Yes 
• Open to Charter School Staff = Yes  
  • Charter Certified 

Meeting Information

• Date: September 22, October 23, November 18, December 10, 2026 & January 14, 2027
• Time: 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
• Location: Wilcox Building, Boardroom | 620 Wilcox St, 80104Links to an external site.

Course Outcomes

Here are the outcomes for the course:

• Understand the Science of Reading and how this applies to adolescent literacy.
• Acquire a toolbox of actionable, evidence-aligned literacy strategies to support all adolescent readers that are applicable to any content or class.