Introduction to Dyslexia

This interactive two-part training with Side-by-Side consultant and dyslexia specialist Tanya Peshovich introduces educators to dyslexia, its impact on learning, and the instructional approaches that ensure reading success for all students, including those most at risk. Participants will learn how dyslexia is defined, explore its common characteristics, and understand how

phonological processing difficulties affect reading and writing development. A structured literacy approach will be clearly

defined, with examples of explicit, systematic, evidence-based practices that support students with dyslexia while

strengthening Tier 1 instruction for all learners. The training will also review the Montana Dyslexia Law and its implications for schools and educators. 

There will be a reminder email the day before and the day of the event that will contain handouts, the ZOOM link, and any information needed for the event. A follow-up email will come the next day containing the recording, if applicable, and other relative information.

These sessions are live and it is requested you leave your camera on and actively participate. Please sign in to the Chat Box with your first and last name and your job title.

Teaching Essential Reading Foundations at Any Age This training explores key concepts related to how the brain learns to read and how to build strong readers through explicit, systematic instruction in foundational reading skills — at any age. Core reading frameworks such as Scarborough’s Rope, the Simple View of Reading, the Four-Part Processing System, and Ehri’s Phases of Reading Development will be examined. The training emphasizes evidence-based literacy practices aligned with the IES Practice Guides, covering both content and instructional strategies for teaching phonemic awareness, beginning and advanced phonics, multisyllabic word reading, morphology, spelling, fluency, and the use of literacy assessments to diagnose student needs for intervention. This is essential knowledge not only for classroom teachers, but also for special educators and interventionists, equipping all educators with the tools to provide high-quality Tier 1 instruction while also addressing the needs of students who require additional supports.

This is a 3-part series:

January 13, 2026.: Science of Reading for Grades 4-12: What Every Teacher Should Know

January 20, 2026: Building Reading Foundations and Vocabulary Across Content Areas

January 27, 2026: Boosting Literacy with Informational Reading and Writing Strategies

All sessions are from 4-6 p.m. You will receive 2 PDUs for attendance at each session.

Reading comprehension is a cornerstone of academic success, yet secondary educators often face wide variation in students' ability to understand and engage with complex texts. This introductory training series explores the science of reading through a secondary lens, focusing on the cognitive processes that drive comprehension and how these skills apply across content areas. Participants will learn high-impact, research based strategies that support literacy in all subjects—tools that are practical, adaptable, and designed to meet diverse student needs. Leave equipped to with actional strategies to implement literacy schoolwide and support student success in every classroom.