Core Learning’s Elementary Online Language and Literacy Academy for SPS Kindergarten and First Grade Teachers

Springfield Public Schools MA; Springfield (MA); Hybrid; USD 1,600 - 2,200; Part time

Job summary

Springfield Public Schools’ Literacy Department provides professional learning for up to 35 licensed kindergarten and first-grade educators through Core Learning’s Elementary Online Language and Literacy Academy (OL&A). The program combines online modules with in-person sessions to strengthen structured literacy instruction.

Participants gain year-long course access, a stipend of $1,925, and guidance aligned to district resources.

Qualifications

• At least 1 year of relevant experience preferred.
• Bachelor degree preferred.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required.

Responsibilities

• Lead professional learning for up to 35 licensed kindergarten and first-grade educators.
• Deliver online modules and in-person sessions aligned to district resources.
• Facilitate sessions and ensure completion of all modules.

Skills

Licensure preferred

Experience with reading instruction

Education

Bachelor degree preferred

Job description

Core Learning’s Elementary Online Language and Literacy Academy for SPS Kindergarten and First Grade Teachers

Springfield Public Schools READING - Springfield, Massachusetts Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Springfield Public Schools MA

Job Details

Job ID: 5899119
Application Deadline: Sep 22, 2026 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
Posted: Aug 24, 2026 4:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Core Learning’s Elementary Online Language and Literacy Academy for SPS Kindergarten and First Grade Teachers

Springfield Public Schools’ Literacy Department will provide professional learning for up to 35 licensed kindergarten and first-grade educators on structured literacy approaches through Core Learning’s Elementary Online Language and Literacy Academy (OL&LA). OL&LA is a “comprehensive, International Dyslexia Accredited professional learning course grounded in the understanding that spoken language is the foundation of literacy. It helps educators connect language and literacy to deliver evidence-based instruction that works for all students – including Multilingual Learners, English variety speakers, and students with dyslexia.”

Participants engage in self-directed online modules and supportive in-person sessions: 1. Welcome Overview; 2. Spoken Language, Reading, and Word Structure; 3. Effective Instruction: Language and Early Literacy; 4. Phonics, Decoding, and Irregular Words; 5. Multisyllabic Words, Spelling, and Fluency; 6. Vocabulary: Spoken and Written Language; 7. Syntax: The Structure of Language and Writing; 8. Comprehension: Language and Reading; and 9. Assessing Reading.

Lorilee Cabrera, the District Instructional Leadership Specialist, and Laura Mendes, the Director of Literacy in Springfield Public Schools, will lead the learning through asynchronous and in-person live sessions, customized and aligned to the district's current instruction and curricular resources.

At the end of the course, participants will be able to, but not limited to:

• Identify the five essential components of evidence-based reading instruction.
• Identify the best practices and explicit methods to develop phonemic awareness, phonics, irregular and multisyllabic word knowledge, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and literary and informational text knowledge.
• Understand the factors that contribute to and affect reading comprehension, including the influence of oral language development.
• Identify and use techniques to support oral and academic language development for linguistically diverse students, including Multilingual Learners, English variety speakers, and students with dyslexia.
• Explore the structure of English and other language systems, including Spanish.
• Understand the definition of dyslexia, common warning signs by grade level, and evidence-based instructional practices and accommodations to meet the educational needs of students with dyslexia.
• Learn how to use multiple measures for assessing phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension as a basis for instructional decisions.

Course participants receive year-long access to the online course materials, copies of The Teaching Reading Sourcebook and Assessing Multiple Measures, and a stipend for completing the coursework outside of work hours.

Information for purchasing college credits will be shared in the informational session and repeated in the first in-person session of the course.

Participants who apply for this coursework agree to attend all sessions (in-person and virtually) and to successfully complete all modules.

Each participant who successfully completes all modules will receive a stipend of $1925.00 at the conclusion of the course.The course starts on October 8, 2026. It ends onMay 7, 2027.

Course sessions will be held on the following Thursdays from 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM:

Session 1: October 8, 2026 – In person (location TBD)

Session 2: November 19, 2026 - Zoom

Optional Check-In: January 21, 2027 – Zoom (Not required)

Session 3: February 11, 2027 – In person (location TBD)

Session 4: March 18, 2027 – Zoom

Session 5: April 29, 2027 – In person (location TBD)

An informational session will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2026from 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM on Zoom for those interested in applying. This session is not required.

https://springfieldpublicschools.zoom.us/j/89515640319

If more than 35 qualified applicants apply, preference will be given to those with professional licensure and those with more than 5 years of service.

Position Type: Additional Pay
Salary: $1,925 Per Year

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Springfield Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, age, handicap, or military service, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.

Job Requirements

• At least 1 year(s) of relevant experience preferred.
• Bachelor degree preferred.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Laura M. Mendes , Director of Literacy
• READING
• Phone: [phone] Ext. 55427
• Email: [e-mail]