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Professional Programs

At Vermont Literacy Network, we believe that every educator deserves the tools and knowledge to make a lasting impact. Our professional programs - grounded in research and evidence-based practices - are designed for classroom teachers, special educators, interventionists, paraeducators and support staff, and administrators. We emphasize a multi-sensory approach to learning while integrating the latest insights from the science of reading. Whether you're looking to deepen your expertise, stay ahead of educational research, or collaborate with like-minded professionals, our programs provide the support and resources you need to succeed. Join us in shaping the future of education, one word at a time.

Coming Soon!

We’re here for you, Vermont educators, and we’re excited to grow alongside you! In 2025, we’ll be offering personalized literacy coaching to support you one-on-one or with your whole team, plus new flexible options like asynchronous courses you can do whenever it works for you. We’re working hard to create meaningful, practical programs to fit your needs and help you make a real difference in your classroom. Stay tuned—great things are on the way!

Upcoming Professional Workshops

No events at the moment

The Network Learning Community

The Network is a place for educators to connect, share, and make real change in literacy education. It’s a supportive community where you can swap resources, learn new strategies that work, and collaborate with people who get what you do every day. By joining, you’ll be part of a group that’s passionate about creating a better future for our students—together.

  • Why does my child need to take the Initial Student Evaluation (ISE)?
    The ISE ensures that Trooper’s Book Club is the right fit for your child’s learning needs. It allows us to assess their current reading level and determine if focusing on VCe words is appropriate. If their goals don’t align with this program, the ISE helps us recommend other fun programs, like our Individual Lessons.
  • How many students are in Trooper’s Book Club?
    The club is limited to just six students. This ensures that each child receives personalized attention and plenty of opportunities to practice reading skills to Trooper!
  • Can parents and siblings join the sessions?
    Unfortunately, no. We encourage a supportive, distraction-free environment where children can engage fully in the activities. To ensure every child receives individualized attention tailored to their specific learning goals, siblings need to be assessed separately and may qualify for different programs.
  • How do you handle different learning styles or needs?
    Our program uses a multisensory, Orton-Gillingham-based approach, which is highly effective for various learning styles. Our techniques ensure that students with dyslexia, ADHD, and many others receive the support they need to succeed!
  • Are there any scholarships, financial aid options, or discounts for this program?
    While Trooper’s Book Club is already a significant savings compared to our Individual Lessons program, we’re excited to offer additional support. The Initial Student Evaluation (ISE) is completely free, and if you use the code “TROOPERREADS” at registration, you’ll receive 35% off—saving you around $100!
  • What is the instructional skill focus of Trooper’s Book Club?
    The program focuses on mastering VCe words, a key spelling pattern that turns short vowel sounds into long vowel sounds (e.g., 'mad' to 'made').
  • What are VCe words, and why are they important?
    VCe words are words where a vowel is followed by a consonant and then the letter 'e,' which makes the vowel sound long (e.g., 'hop' becomes 'hope'). Mastering these words helps young readers develop key decoding skills essential for reading fluency.
  • How can I stay informed about upcoming events and programs?
    You can stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter where we regularly share information about upcoming workshops, classes, and community events. You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news and announcements, or check our website for detailed program calendars and special events!
  • What is Vermont Literacy Network?
    Vermont Literacy Network is an early literacy organization on a mission to connect our community one word at a time! VLN offers comprehensive student, professional, and community programming that are deeply rooted in structured literacy practices and the science of reading. Services are available both virtually and in-person at our Bristol facility. Whether you’re a student, educator, or community member, the Network provides the tools and support needed to foster a literacy-rich Vermont!
  • Where are programs held?
    Our programs are offered both in-person and virtually. In-person programs are available throughout Vermont, with a primary focus on Bristol and surrounding communities. We also offer virtual programs, allowing participants from all over the world to to participate in our lessons, workshops, and professional development courses!
  • Are VLN’s professional programs aligned with current educational research?
    Absolutely! All of our programs are grounded in the most up-to-date, research-based, and evidence-based practices. We integrate proven methodologies from the science of reading and structured literacy, including multisensory instruction and data-driven intervention strategies. We stay informed on new developments in literacy research to ensure that our content reflects the latest understanding of how students learn to read and write.
  • What professional development programs does Vermont Literacy Network offer?
    Currently, we offer virtual workshops that focus on the science of reading, structured literacy, and practical strategies for educators. We also provide custom workshops for schools and organizations that request tailored training to meet their specific needs. In addition, we are excited to announce that we are working on developing asynchronous courses to give educators more flexibility in accessing our training.
  • What qualifications do the professional workshop facilitators at VLN have?
    Our workshop facilitators are highly trained professionals with extensive classroom and intervention experience. Many of them are certified in Orton-Gillingham and Wilson Reading System approaches.
  • What types of lessons and programs do you offer for children?
    We offer a range of personalized programs for children, including Individual Lessons, workshops, classes, and clubs. These programs focus on early literacy development, reading comprehension, and intervention strategies to help students overcome reading challenges. Each program is designed to engage children through multisensory, personalized experiences!
  • How are the Individual Lessons tailored to my child’s needs?
    Individual Lessons are customized based on the data collected within your child's Initial Student Evaluation (ISE). We assess your child’s strengths and areas for growth to create a targeted intervention plan that focuses on developing key reading skills. Both virtual and in-person lessons are designed to adapt to your child’s progress and learning preferences to ensure continuous growth!
  • How do you measure my child’s progress?
    We closely monitor your child’s progress through regular formative and summative assessments, or "show what you knows", to ensure they are growing in their targeted areas. After each session, literacy teachers gather notes and data which families can request at any time. Additionally, families and their child's literacy teacher attend monthly conferences to discuss progress, address concerns, and adjust the instructional plan if needed.
  • Can I observe my child’s lessons?
    Yes, we encourage parents to be involved and observe their child’s progress. Our Bristol facility has a cozy waiting area where you can comfortably watch the lessons. However, we do ask that you refrain from interacting with your child during the session so that the literacy teacher can focus on working their magic without interruption.
  • What is an Initial Student Evaluation?
    The Initial Student Evaluation (ISE) is the first step in tailoring your child's journey in Individual Lessons. This evaluation helps us identify your child’s specific strengths and challenges in areas such as phonemic awareness, decoding (reading) skills, comprehension, fluency, writing, and spelling!
  • What age groups do your programs serve?
    Currently, our student programs primarily serve children from preschool through 3rd grade. However, we are excited to expand our offerings in the new year to include programs for children from birth to age 3, and students in grades 4-8.
  • Are your programs suitable for children with learning differences?
    Yes! Our student programs are designed to be inclusive and supportive of children with a wide range of needs including those with sensory processing disorders, neurodivergencies (such as ASD and ADHD), and other needs. We are well-versed in accommodations and modifications as outlined in educational plans such as IEPs, and we are committed to upholding these supports during instruction. We are dedicated to creating an equitable and welcoming learning environment where every student can thrive. We are passionate in ensuring that all students receive the personalized instruction they need to succeed.

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