Teacher Professional Development Workshops
Since 1990, countless schools have relied on Churchill to provide their teachers with in-depth learning disability education training.
Workshop participants will practice research-based classroom techniques and leave with new strategies for teaching all kinds of learners.
For more information on Churchill’s Teacher Professional Development Workshops, check out our upcoming events below. To request a workshop at your school, email Rachel Wheatley at rwheatley@churchillstl.org.
Reviews from Teacher Professional Development Workshop Attendees
- “I benefitted from using positive language with parents about their ADHD child.”
– Teacher Workshop Attendee: ADHD Strategies - “I learned different ways to help students understand math.”
– Teacher Workshop Attendee: Math Computation Strategies for Struggling Students - “Experiencing the child’s perspective during each simulation was very eye opening.”
– Teacher Workshop Attendee: Simulations & Adaptations of LD & ADHD - “Presenters were very knowledgeable and made the workshop very fun.”
– Teacher Workshop Attendee: Reading Strategies for LD/Dyslexic Students
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Wilson Reading System® Introductory Course (June 2025)
WILSON READING SYSTEM® INTRODUCTORY COURSE - JUNE 2025
WHEN:
• Wednesday, June 4, 2025
• Thursday, June 5, 2025
• Friday, June 6, 2025
TIME: Daily from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM (lunch on your own)
WHERE: Churchill Center & School
1021 Municipal Center Drive | Town & Country, MO 63131
COST: $725 per registrant (lunch on your own)
WHAT:
This course provides participants with an overview of the Wilson Reading System® (WRS) 4th Edition curriculum and serves as the prerequisite for WRS Level I Certification. Over three consecutive days (16.5 hours), this course examines how WRS addresses the teaching of phonemic awareness, word identification, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension through an integrated study of phonology, morphology, and orthography with students in grade two and above with persistent phonological coding deficits. Participants learn about reading research, dyslexia, appropriate student identification and placement, program implementation, progress monitoring, scheduling, and creating a successful learning environment. Principles of language structure and how to teach language with direct, multisensory methods are demonstrated and practiced during the course. Participants explore the standard 10-part Wilson Lesson Plan and practice planning and delivering a lesson while receiving modeling and feedback from a Wilson® Credentialed Trainer during the course.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon the completion of the course, participants will be able to -
• Define dyslexia and describe common characteristics.
• Explain the process of identifying appropriate students and placing them in the Wilson Reading System®.
• Understand the principles of instruction: explicit, sequential, and cumulative, engaging multiple learning modalities with multisensory techniques, repetition, and feedback.
• Create an optimal learning environment, prepare a lesson plan, and practice techniques.
• Understand the key components of instruction and presentation of lessons in three blocks:
BLOCK 1: Word Study/Foundational Reading Skills: Lesson Plan Parts 1-5
• Phonemic Awareness, Decoding, Vocabulary, High-Frequency Word Reading, Single-Word Accuracy/Automaticity, Phrasing/Prosody, Fluency, and Comprehension at the Sentence Level
BLOCK 2: Spelling/Foundational Writing Skills: Lesson Plan Parts 6-8
• Phoneme Segmentation, Encoding (Spelling), English Spelling Rules, High-Frequency Word Spelling, Vocabulary, Concept Mark Up, Sentence-Level Punctuation and Proofreading
BLOCK 3: Fluency/Comprehension: Lesson Plan Parts 9-10
• Vocabulary, Listening/Silent and Oral Reading Fluency and Comprehension, Narrative and Informational Text
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
1. Participants may enroll in the WRS Level I Certification Training or the online course WRS Intensive Instruction for the Non-Responsive Reader (Steps 1-6) within five years of completing a WRS Introductory Course.
2. Materials are not included. All materials can be purchased directly from Wilson Language Training®.
CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY: Any refunds for cancellations will only be issued if cancelled seat can be filled, less a $50 processing fee. This applies to seats purchased with any accepted forms of payment.
FOR QUESTIONS OR MORE INFORMATION: Please email Rachel Wheatley, Director of Sandra K. Gilligan School Partnerships & Outreach Program, at rwheatley@churchillstl.org.
Marilyn Zechers’ Multisensory Math Approach™ (June 2025)
MARILYN ZECHERS' MULTISENSORY MATH APPROACH™ THREE-DAY WORKSHOP
WHEN:
• Wednesday, June 11, 2025
• Thursday, June 12, 2025
• Friday, June 13, 2025
TIME: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM Daily
WHERE: Churchill Center & School
1021 Municipal Center Drive | Town & Style, MO 63131
COST: $700.00
SPONSORED BY: Sandra K. Gilligan School Partnerships & Outreach Program
WHAT:
Marilyn Zecher’s Multisensory Math Approach™ builds on the multisensory tradition and uses Orton-Gillingham instructional strategies, which are supported by evidence from the What Works Clearinghouse, recommendations from the NCTM, neuroscience, and best practices in mathematics education. It includes evidence-based strategies we use to meet the needs of all students. Its focus is on the core foundational concepts, the Big Ideas in math, providing a firm foundation, or providing intervention to help students catch up to keep up.
FOR QUESTIONS OR MORE INFORMATION: Please email Rachel Wheatley, Director of Sandra K. Gilligan School Partnerships & Outreach Program, at rwheatley@churchillstl.org.
Fundations® Level 1 Workshop (June 2025)
FUNDATIONS® LEVEL 1 WORKSHOP
WHEN: Monday, June 16, 2025
TIME: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
WHERE: Churchill Center & School
1021 Municipal Center Drive | Town & Country, MO 63131
PRESENTED BY: The Sandra K. Gilligan School Partnerships & Outreach Program
COST: $330 per registrant (lunch on your own)
WHAT:
Fundations® utilizes a structured literacy approach grounded in the science of reading to make learning to read fun while laying the groundwork for lifelong literacy. The program’s research-based approach and extensive materials allow K–3 teachers to confidently present a carefully structured reading, spelling and handwriting curriculum using engaging, multisensory techniques. Fundations® is aligned with the science of reading and guides teachers to provide effective instructional practices.
A STRUCTURED LITERACY APPROACH GROUNDED IN THE SCIENCE OF READING:
Level 1 builds on the skills and concepts that are taught in Levels K.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon the completion of the course, participants will be able to-
• Identify the skills taught in Fundations: phonics and word study, vocabulary, high frequency/trick words, fluency, comprehension strategies, handwriting, spelling and punctuation.
• Understand the principles of instruction: explicit, sequential, and cumulative instruction that engages multiple learning modalities with multisensory instruction, repetition, and immediate, specific feedback.
• Identify and understand the use for all materials in the Fundations Teacher’s Kit and have a sense of how to find and use the many extended resources available on the Prevention/Early Intervention Learning Community for Fundations (membership included with participation in this workshop).
• Use the Teacher’s Manual to prepare a daily learning plan and practice lesson activity procedures.
• Visualize the flow and pace of a full Fundations lesson completed with fidelity.
As a Wilson® Accredited Partner, Churchill Center & School has been reviewed by Wilson Language Training® (WLT) and meets their standards of excellence in the delivery of their programs.
FOR QUESTIONS OR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Rachel Wheatley, Director of SKG School Partnerships & Outreach, at rwheatley@churchillstl.org.
Fundations® Level 2 Workshop (June 2025)
FUNDATIONS® LEVEL 2 WORKSHOP
WHEN: Tuesday, June 17, 2025
TIME: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
WHERE: Churchill Center & School
1021 Municipal Center Drive | Town & Country, MO 63131
PRESENTED BY: The Sandra K. Gilligan School Partnerships & Outreach Program
COST: $330 per registrant (lunch on your own)
WHAT:
Fundations® utilizes a structured literacy approach grounded in the science of reading to make learning to read fun while laying the groundwork for lifelong literacy. The program’s research-based approach and extensive materials allow K–3 teachers to confidently present a carefully structured reading, spelling and handwriting curriculum using engaging, multisensory techniques. Fundations® is aligned with the science of reading and guides teachers to provide effective instructional practices.
A Structured Literacy Approach Grounded in the Science of Reading:
Level 2 builds on the skills and concepts that are taught in Levels K and 1.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon the completion of the course, participants will be able to-
• Identify the skills taught in Fundations: phonics and word study, vocabulary, high frequency/trick words, fluency, comprehension strategies, handwriting, spelling and punctuation.
• Understand the principles of instruction: explicit, sequential, and cumulative instruction that engages multiple learning modalities with multisensory instruction, repetition, and immediate, specific feedback.
• Identify and understand the use for all materials in the Fundations Teacher’s Kit and have a sense of how to find and use the many extended resources available on the Prevention/Early Intervention Learning Community for Fundations (membership included with participation in this workshop).
• Use the Teacher’s Manual to prepare a daily learning plan and practice lesson activity procedures.
• Visualize the flow and pace of a full Fundations lesson completed with fidelity.
FOR QUESTIONS OR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Rachel Wheatley, Director of SKG School Partnerships & Outreach Program, at rwheatley@churchillstl.org.
As a Wilson® Accredited Partner, Churchill Center & School has been reviewed by Wilson Language Training® (WLT) and meets their standards of excellence in the delivery of their programs.
Fundations® Level K Workshop (June 2025)
FUNDATIONS® LEVEL K WORKSHOP
WHEN: Monday, June 30, 2025
TIME: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
WHERE: Churchill Center & School
1021 Municipal Center Drive | Town & Country, MO 63131
PRESENTED BY: The Sandra K. Gilligan School Partnerships & Outreach Program
COST: $330 per registrant (lunch on your own)
WHAT:
Fundations® utilizes a structured literacy approach grounded in the science of reading to make learning to read fun while laying the groundwork for lifelong literacy. The program’s research-based approach and extensive materials allow K–3 teachers to confidently present a carefully structured reading, spelling and handwriting curriculum using engaging, multisensory techniques. Fundations® is aligned with the science of reading and guides teachers to provide effective instructional practices.
A STRUCTURED LITERACY APPROACH GROUNDED IN THE SCIENCE OF READING - COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon the completion of the course, participants will be able to -
• Identify the skills taught in Fundations: phonics and word study, vocabulary, high frequency/trick words, fluency, comprehension strategies, handwriting, spelling and punctuation.
• Understand the principles of instruction: explicit, sequential, and cumulative instruction that engages multiple learning modalities with multisensory instruction, repetition, and immediate, specific feedback.
• Identify and understand the use for all materials in the Fundations Teacher’s Kit and have a sense of how to find and use the many extended resources available on the Prevention/Early Intervention Learning Community for Fundations (membership included with participation in this workshop).
• Use the Teacher’s Manual to prepare a daily learning plan and practice lesson activity procedures.
• Visualize the flow and pace of a full Fundations lesson completed with fidelity.
As a Wilson® Accredited Partner, Churchill Center & School has been reviewed by Wilson Language Training® (WLT) and meets their standards of excellence in the delivery of their programs.
QUESTIONS OR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Rachel Wheatley, Director of SKG School Partnerships & Outreach, at rwheatley@churchillstl.org.
The Key Comprehension Routine for Teachers of Grades 4-12 (July 2025)
THE KEY COMPREHENSION ROUTINE (for Teachers of Grades 4-12)
WHEN: Monday, July 7, 2025 and Tuesday, July 28, 2025
TIME: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
WHERE: Churchill Center & School
1021 Municipal Center Drive | Town & Country, MO 63131
COST: $400.00 (covers a copy of the book, access to online course and in-person training)
WHAT:
The Key Comprehension Routine teaches a foundational set of research-based, comprehension strategies that support listening and reading comprehension in any subject area. Teachers learn how to share strategies using existing content reading and instructional materials. When used across multiple grade levels, students will benefit from a consistent approach to comprehension instruction as they move from grade to grade and subject to subject.
Register by May 27, 2025 for our summer session to learn valuable comprehension and notetaking strategies to improve your classroom instruction. You will receive a copy of "The Key Comprehension Routine" book with your registration. The book includes an introduction to comprehension instruction, details about each instructional practice, classroom examples, and professional learning activities. There are also reproducible templates.
* You will need to complete 8 hours of the online course before each in-person meeting. *
QUESTIONS OR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Rachel Wheatley, Director SKG School Partnerships & Outreach Program, at rwheatley@churchillstl.org.