Understanding the science of reading: Implications for explicit, systematic, and multisensory literacy instruction and intervention

Location Self-paced online

Full Schedule Access is available from Monday, March 24^th through Thursday, May 1st, 2025.

Facilitator Dr. AnnMarie Alberton Gunn
(Click for Biography)

Dr. AnnMarie Alberton Gunn is an Associate Professor in Literacy Studies at the College of Education and a former K-12th grade classroom teacher for ten years. Dr. Gunn is committed to working with children and families who have been traditionally marginalized by society. Her passions include supporting teachers and future teachers to teach children in Pre-K-12th grade classrooms and serving the larger community.

Dr. Gunn has numerous publications in journals and books, as well as international and national conference presentations that focus on literacy practices in teacher education and for students from Pre-K to adults. Examples of this research include examining and utilizing multicultural literature for teacher education, early childhood education literacy practices, and designing curricula for adult males who were incarcerated. In addition, AERA (a prominent international education organization) and the University of South Florida have acknowledged and honored Dr. Gunn's work with awards for teaching and research.

This professional development course is designed for classroom teachers to explore the science of reading and developmental models of reading. Focus on phonological/phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary development, comprehension, and foundational, inclusive literacy practices are central topics in the course. Through the exploration of these topics, teachers will consider implications for explicit, systematic literacy instruction and multisensory literacy interventions for children with decoding difficulties, dyslexia, and broader reading challenges. The overall goal of this professional development course is to provide a platform for practicing teachers to explore flexible and skillful use of developmentally appropriate instructional strategies for planning inclusive, responsive, and culturally relevant instruction for all students.

This course will be delivered in an asynchronous, online platform over 6 weeks (40 hours). Course modules will be self-paced to accommodate flexible learning. The instructor will be accessible throughout the course for virtual office hours. Optional virtual “coffee talks” will be offered for participants to discuss course content.

Florida statute 6A-4.0051 requires 40 hours of professional learning “in the use of explicit, systematic, and sequential approaches to reading instruction, developing phonemic awareness, and implementing multisensory intervention strategies” for recertification of teachers renewing various teaching certifications (e.g., elementary education, primary education, middle grades, education, English education, reading, and others). This professional development course satisfies this 40-hour requirement.

For questions about this training event contact Rachel Hatten at rachelhatten@usf.edu or 813-974-5959.