• Plano ISD Dyslexia Therapy Training Center

    Our training facility is open to outside participants for Summer '24! 

    plano isd dyslexia

    • Introduction Training ~ July 23-30, 2024 

    • Advanced Training ~ July 25-30, 2024 

    • See below for Dates, Fees, and How to Apply 

     

     

  • Plano ISD Dyslexia Therapy Training Program

    Plano Independent School District is committed to educating students identified with dyslexia and offers a two-year Dyslexia Therapist Training Course for specialists who are providing dyslexia instruction. From identification to treatment, this course combines strategies, techniques, and curriculum of the Take Flight Comprehensive Dyslexia program. This training empowers specialists and ensures their instructional practices meet the unique learning needs of students with dyslexia. 
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  • Are You Interested in Being a Certified Academic Language Therapist?

    ida accredited     imslecPlano ISD is an accredited IMSLEC Training Center. We are pleased to offer a dyslexia therapist training program using Take Flight. Take Flight is a comprehensive intervention for students with dyslexia written by the staff of the Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia at Scottish Rite Hospital. This training is intended for individuals who have already completed a Master's degree and are interested in being a certified academic language therapist (CALT).

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  • Our Mission

    "Our mission is to provide robust and engaging training that will transform your expert intervention approaches to be efficient and responsive to the various needs of students with dyslexia and related disorders."

    boy and plane

    Students with dyslexia are much like the variable needs of a paper airplane. There's a delicate balance between the forces that impact plane flight. The slightest difference in folds or asymmetry causes it to veer off course. Although delicate, the sharp precision and thoughtful concentration of folding allow the plane to soar.

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  • Qualifications for Acceptance

    certificate

    1. Completed “Dyslexia Therapist Training Course Application”

    2. Personal letter of intent and interest 

    3. Copy of your official transcript 

    4. Signed “School Support Form” 

    5. A recent photo

    6. Completed or enrolled in a Master's Program

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  • General Program Information

    General Program Information

    The course offers training in: 

    • Educational identification of dyslexia 

    • Characteristics of dyslexia 

    • Take Flight: A Comprehensive Intervention for Students with Dyslexia, a multisensory, structured approach to teaching: 

    • phonemic awareness 

    • phonic skills 

    • vocabulary 

    • fluency 

    • comprehension skills 

    • spelling 

    • handwriting 

    • Classroom strategies and techniques used for students with dyslexia 

    • Conducting parent and teacher information seminars 

    Candidates for the training must: 


    • Hold a teaching certificate 

    • Hold a Master's Degree and experience in teaching reading 

    Length of the training program: 


    • Two years 

    • Class size will be limited to 25 trainees

    Graduates of the Dyslexia Therapist Training Course: 


    • Eligible to sit for the Alliance certification exam at the therapy level

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  • Training Course Information

    Training Course Information

    Introductory Course (Year 1)

    2023-2024

    Advanced Course (Year 2)

    2024-2025

    Academic Instruction:


    • Six days in the summer (TBD): 

      • 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (30-minute lunch) 

    • Lecture 

    • Practicum 

    • Observation and participation 

    • Competency assignments 

    • Reading assignments with reports and article reviews in Canvas

    • Final exam 


    Introductory Seminars:


    • Six full-day seminars held during the school year

    • One (1) approved professional conference (minimum of 6 hours)

    Academic Instruction:


    • Four days in the summer (TBD): 

      • 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (30-minute lunch)

    • Lecture 

    • Practicum 

    • Competency assignments 

    • Reading assignments with reports and article reviews in Canvas




    Advanced Seminars : 


    • Four (4) full-day seminars held during the school year 

    • One (1) approved professional conference (minimum of 6 hours)

    Clinical Training & Practicum:


    • Observation of dyslexia instruction over the two-year course of study 


    Demonstration of Teaching Competency:


    • Five (5) demonstration lessons with dyslexia instruction 

    • Self-critiqued by therapist-in-training 

    • Observed and evaluated by district trainers 

    • Accompanying suggestions, critiques, and evaluation 

    • One-on-one instruction with a member of the Therapist Training staff 

    Supervised Teaching & Experience:


    • Implement and instruct classes (3-6 students per class) of dyslexia therapy for at least 45 minutes, in an appropriate setting, during each school day

     OR 

    • Implement and maintain classes (3-6 students per class) of dyslexia therapy for at least 1 hour, in an appropriate setting, 4 days a week 

    Clinical Training & Practicum:


    • Observation of dyslexia instruction over the two-year course of study 


    Demonstration of Teaching Competency:


    • Five (5) demonstration lessons with dyslexia instruction 

    • Self-critiqued by therapist-in-training 

    • Observed and evaluated by district trainers 

    • Accompanying suggestions, critiques, and evaluation 

    • One-on-one instruction with a member of the Therapist Training staff 



    Supervised Teaching & Experience:


    • Implement and instruct classes (3-6 students per class) of dyslexia therapy for at least 45 minutes, in an appropriate setting, during each school day

     OR 

    • Implement and maintain classes (3-6 students per class) of dyslexia therapy for at least 1 hour, in an appropriate setting, 4 days a week 

    Progress Reports:


    • Prepare and submit periodic Progress Reports documenting supervised teaching situations and clinical teaching hours.

    Progress Reports:


    • Prepare and submit periodic Progress Reports documenting supervised teaching situations and clinical teaching hours.

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  • Dates, Fees, and Sign-Ups

    Introductory Course (Year 1) 

    Summer Institute (Class size limited to 25 participants)

    • July 23 ~ July 30

    • 8:00 am ~ 4:30 pm

    Advanced Course (Year 2)

    Summer Institute (Class size limited to 25 participants)

    • July 25 ~ July 30

    • 8:00 am ~ 4:30 pm

    Fees:

    • First-Year Introductory Course: 

      • $3,200 (includes all Texas Scottish Rite Take Flight curriculum materials for the first year, recommended for private therapy or districts that need materials)

      • $2,400 (does not include Year 1 kit, recommended for those whose district provides a kit)

    • Second-Year Advanced Course:

      • $2,000 (includes all Texas Scottish Rite Take Flight curriculum materials for the first year, recommended for private therapy or districts that need materials)

      • $1,750 (does not include Year 2 kit, recommended for those whose district provides a kit)

                ***Textbooks are NOT included in the tuition cost. 

    one Fill Out the Application:

     PISD Dyslexia Therapy Training Center Application

     

    twoEmail Application:

     Please send the completed application with all   materials to pisdtrainingcenter@pisd.edu

    threePay for Your Course:

     (Links Coming Soon!)

meet your trainers

Phone:

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Heather Marek

M.Ed, CALT-QI Lead
 
Heather holds a Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.  Her Master of Education is in Educational Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Literacy from the University of Texas at Arlington.  She holds teaching certifications in General Education (EC-6), and English as a Second Language (EC-12).   Heather is a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) and a Qualified Instructor.  Her passion is sharing her love and knowledge of multisensory reading therapy with other students, families, teachers, and professionals.

Phone:

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Karen Gournay

M.Ed, CALT-QI
 
Karen holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University and a Master of Education with an emphasis in Technology from The University of North Texas. Karen has over 20 years of teaching experience in grades 1-3 and over 8 years as a Dyslexia Specialist.  She is a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) and recently completed her Qualified Instructor Training through the Plano ISD Take Flight Comprehensive Training Center in Plano, TX.

Phone:

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Sara Andrade

M.Ed, CALT-QI

Sara holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Dallas and a Master's in Humanities from the University of Texas at Dallas.  She holds teaching certificate in the area of Social Studies (4-8).  Sara is a Certified Academic Language Therapist.  Sara recently earned her Qualified Instructor (QI) credentials.

Phone:

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Kaitlynn Nam

M.Ed., CALT, QI

Kaitlynn holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Master of Education in Reading through Texas A&M-Commerce. She holds teaching certifications in the areas of General Education (EC-6) and English as a Second Language Supplemental. Kaitlynn is a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT). Kaitlynn is earning her Qualified Instructor (QI) credentials through Plano ISD Take Flight Comprehensive Training Center.

Phone:

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Christina Stelzl

M.Ed, LDT, CALT-QIT
 
Christina holds a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, a Master's Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Gifted Education from the University of North Texas, and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington.  She holds Texas Educator Certificates in Elementary Self-Contained (1-8), Mathematics (4-8), Gifted and Talented (1-8), and English as a Second Language Supplemental (1-8). Christina is a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) and a Licensed Dyslexia Therapist (LDT).  Currently, Christina is earning her Qualified Instructor (QI) credentials through the Plano ISD Take Flight Comprehensive Dyslexia Program.

Phone:

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Stephanie Houser

M. Ed., CALT-QIT

Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Master of Arts in Reading with an Emphasis in Early Education through Grand Canyon University. She holds teaching certifications in General Education (EC-4) and English as a Second Language SupplementalS. She is a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT). Stephanie is earning her Qualified Instructor (QI) credentials through Plano ISD Take Flight Comprehensive Training Center. Her passion is advocating for every student's right to learn and grow.

Phone:

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Alessandra Bradshaw

M.Ed. CALT-QIT
 
Alessandra holds a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Master's in Education with an emphasis in Reading from Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas. She holds General Education (EC-4) and English as a Second Language (EC-12) teaching certifications. She's a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) and a Licensed Dyslexia Therapist (LDT). Alessandra is earning her Qualified Instructor (QI) credentials through Plano ISD Take Flight Comprehensive Training Center. Her passion is advocating for every student and watching them become confident in their reading and themselves. 
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  •   "Thank you again for the opportunity. I am so thankful for the quality of training I am receiving and for the kindness everyone demonstrates.  The QI’s are so encouraging and knowledgeable!"

    -C.R. from Carrollton Farmers Branch

     

    "I wanted to say THANK YOU for your support in getting me onboarded. I am so thankful I spoke to Sara and changed programs. Sometimes, that leap of faith is the right path and you must take risks! The amount of knowledge I have gained in the last week is absolutely mind-blowing and I am in this to win it, so that I can give my daughter and others a fighting chance to develop what they deserve and need to prosper. The QI’s have been so patient with us, and empathetic, and have bolstered us and made us feel included as true therapists. My “WHY” has come full circle since I was a first-year teacher, starting out in Plano. I have been working for 16 years to get to this point. I just wanted to take a moment to brag about the QIs because they are a truly patient and incredible group of women. I feel honored to be part of this cadre."

    -E.L. former Plano ISD teacher and mom

     

    "Thank you all so much!! It was so wonderful to meet you all and learn so much from each of you!"

    -M.W.  from Highland Park ISD