JUST 10 Days Left to Register for LETRS Cohort 4: Read what some are saying about their LETRS experience.
"LETRS has significantly impacted my teaching by providing me with a deeper understanding of the science behind reading and literacy instruction. It has transformed my perspective on teaching literacy by equipping me with evidence-based strategies to support my students who are still developing their reading and spelling skills. As an upper elementary teacher experiencing LETRS, I have gained valuable insights to phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension."
Andrea Green, 5th Grade ELA Teacher at Woodland Elementary School, Hardin County Schools
 “Going into last school year, I had heard a lot of buzz about the Science of Reading (SOR) on social media and listened to the Sold A Story podcast. I knew I was ready to make some changes - although I felt that I had ‘successfully’ taught 21 classes of first graders to read pretty well. My school adopted a new High-Quality Instructional Resource and it felt way different. The same year, I decided to participate in LETRS. Making the resource change and being a part of LETRS at the same time felt like a perfect match. With Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) and SOR, the kids are taught "the code" of the English language so that they will become successful readers and writers. My kids LOVED having access to these explicit "rules" and enjoyed showing off their knowledge to any adult who entered our classroom! In the past, I was "okay with" telling kids "That's just how it is," or "We just have to memorize," certain words/spellings, but with CKLA focusing on the phonics, LETRS reinforced the "why" to these rules and I was happy to share with my kids!”
Angela Noel, 1st-Grade Teacher at Kenton Elementary, Kenton County Schools
More than 6,000 Kentucky educators and administrators have or are participating in LETRS!
Registration for the fourth Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) cohort will remain open through August 22, 2025.
The Kentucky Reading Academies is a comprehensive no-cost professional learning opportunity open to all K-5 public school educators.
Two different courses are being offered through the Kentucky Reading Academies: LETRS for Educators and LETRS for Administrators. A description of each is below:
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LETRS for Educators Cohort 4: This course is recommended for K-5 teachers, interventionists, reading specialists, instructional coaches and anyone providing reading instruction or intervention support to early readers.
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LETRS for Administrators Cohort 4: This course is recommended for instructional coaches who have completed LETRS for Educators, district leaders and building administrators.
PLEASE NOTE: Limited licenses are available for Cohort 4. Registration will be first come, first served. Once we reach capacity, registrants will be placed on a waitlist and invited as licenses become available. Registration does not guarantee enrollment into the professional learning. Registrants will receive an email from Christie Biggerstaff indicating their enrollment status mid to late August.
Also of note: Cohort 3 participants will not need to register for Cohort 4 as they are already enrolled in the professional learning.
For questions about the Kentucky Reading Academies, please email KDE Director of Early Literacy Christie Biggerstaff.
 The Office of Teaching and Learning Spotlight: Will Spalding
The Office of Teaching and Learning is pleased to welcome Will Spalding as the new Multilingual Learner Specialist. Will brings a deep commitment to supporting multilingual learners, their families, and the educators who serve them. “When our schools and classrooms are welcoming, recognize the assets our multilingual learners bring, and provide high expectations with the right supports, we create the conditions for all students to thrive and pursue a successful future,” Will shares.
As part of his new role, Will plans to collaborate with department leaders and educators across Kentucky to provide responsive, strengths-based support. His focus is to equip schools with the tools, strategies, and encouragement they need to foster classrooms where multilingual students feel supported and successful, ultimately working to close the persistent achievement gaps and promote meaningful outcomes.
His personal mission reflects this commitment: “I strive to serve with integrity and purpose—to support educators and uplift our multilingual learners and their families so they feel seen, valued, and empowered to learn and grow.”
Will brings a wealth of experience to this role. He has served as a high school Social Studies teacher, EL teacher, building assessment coordinator, and elementary school Assistant Principal in various school settings. Most recently, he held the roles of Assistant Director of English Learners and Principal of GEO International High School within Warren County Public Schools in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He is also an active member of the Kentucky Coalition for English Learners.
A native of Lebanon, in Marion County, Will now resides in Bowling Green with his wife, Hilarie, and their two daughters, Anderson and Campbell.
Will’s enthusiasm for this work is evident, as his dedication to collaboration, support for all learners, and continuous learning will be a tremendous asset to the team. He is excited to support districts and schools and welcomes the opportunity to connect and partner. Will may be reached via email at william.spalding@education.ky.gov.
The Kentucky Reading Research Center: Supporting Literacy through the Research Clearinghouse
The Kentucky Department of Education’s partner, the Kentucky Reading Research Center, offers a comprehensive research clearinghouse to support education stakeholders in learning how evidence-based research can inform effective literacy instruction. The clearinghouse offers summaries of research studies, making it easier for educators and caregivers to be aware of the latest literacy research. As the clearinghouse is further developed it will include practical tools for bridging the gap between research and classroom practice. The center recently released a short video explaining how the center’s clearinghouse works. Stay up-to-date on new releases and more information by subscribing to the Kentucky Research Center’s e-newsletter Bookmark at kyreadingresearch.org.
Resource Highlight:
As you prepare for the 2025-2026 school year, we are highlighting key resources for supporting high-quality instruction in your district and school.
Implementing Kentucky’s Read to Succeed Act within an MTSS Framework
Implementing Kentucky’s Read to Succeed Act within an MTSS Framework is designed to provide educators with information that shows how the key components of the Read to Succeed Act align with Kentucky’s framework for a multi-tiered system of supports (KyMTSS).
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